Johannesburg - Vying for space at Nasrec this Sunday for the Summer Edition of the 2017 Classic Car Show will be a large contingent of cars known as “land yachts”.
These are the huge American swish-mobiles of the late 1950s through to the late 1970s, cars that need three parking spaces instead of one, and even then you’d better be able to wield a steering wheel with some skill to make sure you slot the car in correctly.
The Classic Car Show is once again expected to attract over 1000 cars when the gates open at 8am on Sunday, and many of these cars will be of the good-ol’boy Americana persuasion.
The big “land yachts” went through an amazing styling progression starting from 1955 when the classic Chevrolets and Fords began sprouting fins of serious dimensions. During this time there were slightly smaller coupe-shaped cars which are the classic muscle cars, and also the pony cars, spawned by the introduction of the immortal Ford Mustang in mid-1964. In this category, think Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Plymouth Barracuda, and Dodge Chargers and Challengers.
The cars traditionally shown at the twice-yearly Classic Car Show range from barn-finds to immaculately restored vehicles, and everything else in between.
British cars at Nasrec are usually dominated by hosts of original Minis, and these come in all sorts of guises.
Expect a contingent of Ford Cortinas, which could include highly sought-after models like the original Mk I GT, the MkII Perana, the Mk III V6, and the Interceptor models in Mk V form. Cortina pick-ups were also a unique South African creation and are sought after in Europe today, particularly in the UK.
Volkswagens have traditionally had a huge presence at The Classic Car Show, ranging from the popular Split Window and Bay Window buses (Kombis) to early Oval Window Beetles (produced from 1954 to 1957). From 1978 onwards, the famous VW Golf was produced here, and there will be a huge contingent of modified water-cooled Golfs at Nasrec.
The Cobra Club is also expected to make a run through to Nasrec on Sunday.
In addition to all these beautiful production-based machines, expect to see many examples of street rods and classic pick-up trucks, the fastest-growing trend in the street-rod community.
A day for the whole family, there will be helicopter rides, a prawn festival, beer gardens food stalls, motor-goods stalls, and live entertainment.
Owners of classic and special interest cars will be admitted free of charge, with the addition of one passenger. Extra passengers will be required to pay the usual entrance prices. Visitors will enter through Gate 5 at Nasrec, while classic car owners will be admitted through Gate 2.
Tickets are R60 for adults and children under 12 for R20, through Computicket. At the gate, tickets costs R80 for adults and R20 for children under 12.
The Show will run from 8 am to 4 pm on Sunday. For more information visit www.classiccarshow.co.za