The unmistakable scent of petrol and polish filled the air as the 13th annual Classic Car Show revved into life on Sunday, July 6, at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre. A pilgrimage site for motor enthusiasts from across South Africa, the 2025 edition of this long-running showcase once again delivered a rich, rolling tapestry of metal, chrome, rubber, and raw nostalgia. From British charm and American muscle to exotic supercars and quirky customs, this year’s show was a true celebration of the multigenerational love affair that is the classic car movement.
Located just a few kilometres southwest of the Jo’burg CBD, the Nasrec venue transformed into a vibrant theatre of “petrol-headonism” – a gathering that paid homage to the icons of yesteryear, the legends of motorsport, and the eccentricities of personal expression that define car culture in its most authentic form.
The Icons of an Age Gone By
Among the standout attractions of the day was a show-stopping 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air four-door sedan. With its flawlessly restored dual-tone paint, side-exit exhausts, and head-turning classic American custom wheels, the Bel Air stood as a glistening emblem of the golden age of US automotive excess. Just steps away, a more reserved yet equally pristine 1958 Wolseley 1500 sedan sat proudly, its smaller proportions and conservative British styling forming a striking contrast to its American counterparts from the same era.
American pickups from the 1950s, meanwhile, drew significant admiration – not least a dazzling 1958 Chevy truck finished in a brilliant metallic purple and lavished with chrome detailing from grille to bumper. Typically, these utilitarian icons wear their age and patina with pride, but this one shimmered with show-car levels of flair.
Not to be outshone, a vivid yellow 1960s Chevrolet pickup rekindled memories for long-time attendees. This particular vehicle holds a special place in the history of the event, being one of the earliest entries in show organiser Paulo Calisto’s personal collection. Calisto, who hosted the first show back in 2012, has since become a mainstay of the classic car scene in Gauteng, curating not only events but also a remarkable collection of automotive gems.
Nearby, a 1959 Chevrolet Biscayne in subdued original paint quietly stole hearts. Unrestored and proudly bearing the marks of time, its authentic patina told a far more intimate story – one of slow Sundays, decades of care, and the humble garages of Johannesburg’s southern suburbs.
Muscle, Mayhem and Motoring Legends
The 1970s muscle era flexed its V8 might with appearances from a pair of thunderous Dodge Charger 440s. Their menacing stances, snarling exhausts, and tire-melting potential served as a visceral reminder of Detroit’s most powerful chapter.
But The Classic Car Show is not bound by any single decade. The event embraces modern classics and supercars with equal enthusiasm. That ethos was on full display with the presence of a scarlet Ferrari 430 Spider – a model forever linked to the peak of Michael Schumacher’s F1 dominance in the early 2000s. The prancing horse was joined by a snow-white McLaren MP4-12C, a technical tour de force from the brand that helped launch Lewis Hamilton’s career. Together, they sparked spirited conversations about Formula One’s great rivalries, both past and present.
And as if to remind onlookers that German engineering remains the bedrock of performance driving, a Porsche 911 from the 1980s made a welcome appearance – a nod to the marque’s historic reign at Le Mans and its rich contribution to global motorsport.
A Tribute to Local Legends and Left-Field Heroes
South Africa’s own racing heritage was honoured through a cherished Toyota RSi – one of the early knife-edge models that made waves in the 1980s, powered by the high-revving 4A-GE 16-valve engine. For local fans, this was no ordinary hatchback; it was a cult icon of home-grown speed.
As ever, The Classic Car Show also provided a stage for the offbeat and outlandish. A radically customised second-generation VW Beetle cabriolet played tribute to Herbie the Love Bug with a 1970s flair, while one of the most photographed entries was a Honda Goldwing trike pulling a miniature fold-up caravan – equal parts humorous and heartwarming.
A Celebration of Community and Car Culture
Reflecting on another successful chapter in the show’s growing legacy, Paulo Calisto expressed his gratitude to both exhibitors and attendees.
“It was great to see such a mix of classics once again at Nasrec,” said Calisto. “I was particularly happy that the arrangements we made for the classic car guys to get into the venue worked like a charm. Next year’s event is going to be a bumper edition of The Classic Car Show.”
With over a decade of heritage, The Classic Car Show has matured into one of Gauteng’s premier motoring events – not merely for the eye candy it provides, but for its role in preserving stories, igniting passions, and fuelling a thriving community of enthusiasts.
As the sun set over Nasrec and engines quieted once more, one thing was certain: whether you’re into pre-war elegance, ’50s flamboyance, muscle-era brutality, or modern-day marvels, this show remains a pilgrimage worth making – year after glorious year.
