Pretoria, South Africa – 3 August 2025 – For the 43rd running of Cars in the Park, Zwartkops Raceway was transformed into a living museum of motoring passion. Thousands of classic car owners and even more spectators converged on the circuit, blessed by a day of weather so perfect it could have been scripted.
The Pretoria Old Motor Club (POMC), which has hosted the event for over four decades, had braced for the worst. “Every year we hold our breath and bite our nails before the event,” admitted chief organiser Frik Kraamwinkel. “This year, with a forecast of just 14°C, we were particularly anxious – not just for our exhibitors and spectators, but for the 160 stallholders whose livelihoods depend on the day.”
As it turned out, fears were unfounded. By mid-morning, winter layers had been shed as temperatures climbed into a balmy spring warmth, bathing the vast collection of more than 2,500 classic and special-interest cars and motorcycles in golden sunlight. The gates opened at 8:30 am, but queues of gleaming metal had begun forming well before dawn.
A Tradition Evolving with the Times
Cars in the Park began 44 years ago as a showcase for veteran and vintage vehicles. Two decades ago, POMC broadened its scope, welcoming all special-interest vehicles, from century-old treasures to the latest showroom stars. This year’s line-up reflected that diversity, with both time-honoured classics and cutting-edge models sharing the tarmac.
Franchised dealerships took advantage of the unique audience. Triumph Motorcycles, the newly revived MG brand, and multi-franchise groups like CFO Mobility and Midmark Motors brought their latest offerings, giving enthusiasts a rare chance to see – and sit in – new models outside the confines of a showroom. “No amount of advertising can match seeing a car or motorcycle in the metal,” said Kraamwinkel.
Among the standout displays was Colin Lazarus’s collection in the pit area: two Ford GTs, a GT40, and a pristine 1957 Ford Thunderbird, flanked by a line-up of his dealership’s newest stock.
A Celebration of South African Motoring Icons
The event also paid homage to home-grown favourites. Dozens of lovingly modified Datsun 1200 and Nissan 1400 half-tonne bakkies – built in South Africa during the 1970s and 1980s – stood gleaming in the sun. These working-class heroes have become cult favourites in Gauteng, transformed into rolling expressions of individuality with lowered suspensions, wide rims, flamboyant paintwork, and engines boasting fuel injection, branch manifolds, and turbochargers big enough to swallow small birds.
In the exclusive “Special Invites” section under the pit complex canopy, automotive history came alive. Visitors lingered over rarities such as Sakkie van der Walt’s 1937 Cord 812, a stately 1940 Lincoln V12, and a flawlessly restored 1939 Chevrolet Business Coupe. Motorcycling aficionados gravitated towards Tom Linley’s trio of Velocettes from the 1920s and ’30s, marveling at their overhead camshafts – decades ahead of mainstream adoption.
Perhaps the most intriguing exhibit was Corne Fourie’s late-1930s DKW F7. With its fabric bodywork and two-cylinder two-stroke engine, it was a featherweight giant-killer in its day. To the untrained eye, it was simply a charming pre-war roadster; to enthusiasts, it was a reminder of DKW’s reputation for surprising performance.
Quirks, Customs, and Cult Machines
Cars in the Park has always celebrated the eccentric as much as the exquisite. This year’s curiosities included a late-1930s Dodge sedan perched atop a Mitsubishi bakkie chassis, riding high on oversized tyres – the only clue to its heritage being a chrome ram ornament on its grille. Nearby, a Mad Max–inspired Ford Sierra replica bristled with post-apocalyptic menace, complete with a convincingly menacing submachine gun mounted to the bonnet.
For off-road devotees, the 4×4 Club’s display offered a buffet of adventure-ready rigs. Suzuki Jimnys, the modern cult favourite, appeared in force, kitted with roof racks, bull bars, and all the trimmings of expedition life.
More Than Just a Car Show
Cars in the Park 2025 was more than an exhibition; it was a shared celebration of motoring culture across eras and styles. With its low entry fees, family-friendly atmosphere, and sheer variety, it remains South Africa’s premier car enthusiast gathering.
As the sun dipped behind the grandstands and the last of the chrome and enamel rolled away, one thing was certain: the magic of Cars in the Park endures. And, if tradition holds true, the 2026 edition will be even bigger, bolder, and brighter.
