Brian Joss –
Think of it as a sort of motorised teddy bear’s picnic. Where Escorts and Pimpmobiles, Cadillacs and Camaros, Mustangs and Mk I Cortinas all come out to play.
Cadillac DeVille Coupe: was their ever a cooler-sounding name for a car? And, if pimpmobiles and gangsta-cruisers are your thing, was their ever a cooler car? Especially a 1968 model?
Well, it all depends on your particular cup of refreshment, but rest assured that there will be at least two or three Caddies cruising the grounds at Nasrec on Sunday December 6, when the eighth Classic Car Show is hosted by Paulo Calisto, who owns an early-‘70s Cadillac Eldorado convertible, complete with one hubcap missing, to give it that extra-dangerous look. Cadillacs have been a feature at the Classic Car Show for some years now, and like Harleys, they are all cool. The very special Coupe DeVille came into being in the late 1940s, and the late ‘60s examples were not only equipped with all the hi-tech General Motors could muster at the time, power steering, power brakes, windows, power-everything, but they also had serious power under the hood. V8s measuring between seven and eight litres are to be found as standard equipment in these great land-ships, with boot lids so long you could land a helicopter on one.
There will be helicopter rides on offer at ridiculously cheap prices, as well as go-kart rides for the kids, live music and all sorts of other feel-good stuff that makes this show special.
Mr Calisto will also be simultaneously hosting a Hot VWs event for Golfs, Jettas and the like which have been breathed upon by their owners. A big motorcycle contingent is expected, and there will be drifting taking place in the Nasrec Skid Pan, so be prepared for lots of background music to the tune of Mr Chevy and his Fabulous Luminas, backed up by The Fast, Fat Balding Rear Tyres.
Ford Escorts just seem to get more and more popular at each show, and one of our favourites amongst the Mk I ilk, regulars at Nasrec, is a Station Wagon done out in Mexico livery. Now, there never was a Ford Escort Mexico Wagon, but looking at this car we feel there should have been. And if you are lucky enough tom see it go, you’ll be convinced there’s at least a two-litre turbo four cylinder in there somewhere, giving it about four-to-five times the power it had when it was on sale here back in 1969!
VW Beetles and Kombis will be out in force, but look for the special Karmann Ghia models, which are described as Beetles in a Party Dress. These cars are now rated as having some of the most delectable bodywork in the entire history of the motorcar. Strange to think they are powered by a humble air-cooled VW Beetle motor, but that’s also what makes them so attractive as a usable classic nowadays, as they rarely break!
Ford’s new Mustang has just enjoyed is South African media launch, and you can expect many examples of Ford’s wild pony at Nasrec, as they have been sold here in low-key numbers as far back as 1965, when the original Mustang first appeared.
Up to 1 000 special-interest cars of all types are expected, and food and drink will be on sale at the venue. No braais are allowed, and no food is to be brought into the venue. There will also be dozens of stalls selling car-interest goodies, with dealerships also taking special stands, so it is a good time to park your classic and buy yourself a modern daily-driver, while you are at it.
The gates open at 8 am and close at 5 pm. Tickets are R80 each for adults, and R20 for children 11 and under at the gate, and R60 each and kids at R20 each, through TicketPro.
