Car show season has arrived...
The Cars in the Park showcase makes a big return.
Despite rapidly increasing fuel prices, Johannesburg is seeing the return of car meets, shows, and festivals on an astronomical scale. The public is itching to show up and show their lockdown project cars or dust off their weekend classics. Cars in the Park is back after three years due to the dreaded Covid 19 pandemic, and I'm particularly thrilled for its return. Once again, Zartkops Raceway hosts another motoring spectacle and this one is directed toward every type of motoring enthusiast out there.
This year they return with the 40th edition of the biggest car show in Africa. To understand the gravity of such an event, you need to look into its past. For example, in more recent events, Cars in the Park had 2,500 vehicles on display with around 12,000 spectators in attendance. Because there have been so few events recently, the organizers expect more cars and spectators than ever.
The only 2020 Ford GT in the country will be at Cars in the Park at the Lazarus display, along with its 1966 and 2005 model Ford GT forebear.
Over 120 local car clubs are expected to represent their niche and provide an extensive variety of new but mainly old cars for the public to gaze upon. Companies will also be attending, one being the Lazarus Motor Company. They'll be celebrating their 65th birthday by displaying an arrangement of classic Fords and a few special Jaguars. They alone are going to provide the show with 20 vehicles, some of which are truly breathtaking. There's a 1957 thunderbird, and even three Ford GTs. The Ford GT alone is a head-turner; however, Lazarus will be displaying the only 2020 Ford GT in the country, along with a 2005 GT and a 1966 Mk1 GT.
The Austin 7 car club will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the British sports car, so be on the lookout for a fair number of little 750 cc cars. Basically, cars of all shapes and sizes will be there, from Volkswagen Beetles to Ford Cortina's and Camaros to Kombis.
Classic convertibles at Cars in the Park. A 1956 Ford Thunderbird and a 1959 Ford Skyliner.
If you aren't too familiar with car clubs, let me fill you in: Car clubs are, as you can imagine, car owners with similar cars, either from the same brand or even the same era. It's an opportunity for owners to indulge in their passions around like-minded individuals. Cars in the Park attracts these groups of motoring aficionados to share in their passion whilst displaying their old-fashion classics to the public. With that said, you can expect to see a decent turnout of pioneers, like the Ford Model T, in various specs – like the Model T Pick-ups – and even a 'racing' version of the car that began the global introduction to cars.
Tickets will be sold online on I-ticket for R100 or R120 at the gates. The gates will open at 8am on the 31st of July. Cars in the Park is going to be the place for every type of car enthusiast, from race car fanatics to muscle car men – there's guaranteed to be something for everyone at Zwartkops Raceway. Even something your great, great Grandpa drove back in the day.
Keyword: The Cars in the Park showcase makes a big return.