American V8 muscle and much more at Classic Car Show in Joburg this weekend

IOL News

04-07-2025

Expect muscle cars galore at the Classic Car Show this weekend. 1970 Dodge Challenger 440 shown.
Image: Supplied
Johannesburg's southern suburbs have been a hotbed of American V8s ever since the 1950s.
That was a time when American manufacturers were engaged in the first phase of the horsepower race, and in this decade, horsepower outputs rose from around the 100 mark from the likes of Chevrolet, Ford and Chrysler to over the 300 mark by the end of the decade.
The Classic Car Show organiser Paulo Calisto can testify that this spirit of V8 muscle will be very much alive south of Johannesburg's CBD on Sunday, July 6, 2025,
'The South', as locals refer to the area where Nasrec is located, is even today sprinkled with original V8 American cars from the late 1950s that can be heard burbling around the smaller streets of the older suburbs.
These cars have been lovingly preserved in tiny lock-up garages or under carports, and today they pay tribute to a movement in the US which featured not only suddenly massive horsepower increases, but some of the most creative and outlandish styling that was never even dreamed of in the previous decades.
Chevrolet unofficially entered the horsepower race in 1955 with its first V8 model in the classic Chevy Bel Air, a two-door model that even today is one of the mainstay classics that turn up each year at The Classic Car Show.
The real transition to what we know as muscle cars today began in the 1960s, when engines grew almost overnight from 4.2 litres to 7.0 litres and more. Horsepower outputs jumped to over the 400 mark in the big high-performance V8 models, while a whole new class of smaller cars signaled the dawn of what is known today as the muscle car era with the advent of the Ford Mustang in 1964.
General Motors followed suit soon afterwards with the Camaro and Firebird, while Chrysler launched the famous Dodge Charger.
From 1955 Chevys to Ford Escorts and everything between.
Image: Supplied
Today the southern suburbs of Joburg produce the best restored muscle cars in the country, with standards that even surpass those achieved by American builders. These muscle cars traditionally form a focal point of The Classic Car Show each July, and a mouth-watering selection is expected at Nasrec in the area accessed by Gates 5 and 7 on Sunday, July 6, 2025. European rarities
The Classic Car Show also caters for British and European cars from the classic era of the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s, and this coming Sunday's event will be no different. Early staid Morris Minors and Austins will vie for space alongside upright Ford Anglias and Wolseleys of the era, while a perennial favorite at every Classic Car Show will be seen in the form of the 105E Anglia with its reverse-slope back window that humourists always joke about as proof against any bird droppings.
European rarities that are always seen at this event, now in its 13th rendition, include the fabulous German two-stroke DKWs that sound like popcorn machines when idling or slowing down. Borgwards with ominous East German styling and French cars with more flair like the Peugeots and Renaults of the 1950s and '60s will be on display.
Of course, no classic car show would be complete without an Italian Alfa Romeo, and indeed, relatively modern versions of Porsche 911s and similar exotics will also be admitted because of their obvious interest-factor.
Young-timer classics that will be allowed access to the classic area through Gate 7 will include the original late 1970s versions of the Mk I Golf, the 1985 original Citi Golfs that created a stir with their red-yellow-blue colour schemes, and Ford Escorts from the early 1980s in 1600 Sport and RS2000 form. Entry and ticket prices
Classic car owners and one passenger will be admitted free of charge through Gate 7 to the Nasrec Grounds on Sunday July 6 from 7 am onwards, with all classics requested to be on show by 8am and gaining admittance to Nasrec through Gate 7 on the east side of the venue.
Paying spectators are requested to gain admittance from 9am through Gate 5 (right alongside Gate 7) and are also requested to book through Computicket, with ticket prices set at R100 for adults and R40 for children under 12. Cash payments at Gate 5 will be received on the day, Sunday July 6 at a cost of R120 for adults and R50 for children under 12.
A full range of family entertainment will be provided apart from the mouthwatering display of classic cars, and these side-shows will include live music, helicopter rides and jumping castles, while top-notch food and drink will be provided by the best food and beverage suppliers in the Johannesburg South area.