The George Old Car Show, now in its 27th edition, is set to host over 1 000 classic cars from various corners of South Africa during the second weekend of February.
Also read: Mercedes-Benz 300SLs to headline the 2024 George Old Car Show
Taking place on 10 and 11 February, the event has attracted participants from locations spanning Thabazimbi in Limpopo Province to Windhoek in Namibia.
The diverse array of entries promises a comprehensive representation of the South African motoring industry’s evolution, which spans more than a century.

Enthusiasts can anticipate a chronological journey, from vehicles dating back more than 100 years to modern cars that have achieved ‘instant classic’ status, from Alfa Romeos to Zephyrs.
The main show day is scheduled for Saturday, 10th February. Sunday’s agenda includes entertainment by the International Oompah Band, lending a German touch to the proceedings in line with the event’s German theme.
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The George Old Car Show traditionally sees a robust presence of German-built machinery, with strong entries from well-known brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, DKW, and Borgward.
Car Club Drive-Bys
Notable participants from various car clubs include the MG Car Club, Kombi Owners Club in the Western Cape, Rover Motorcycle Club in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa, and Concept Crew Car Club from the Despatch area in the Eastern Cape. Additionally, the Morris Minor Owners Club will send a contingent of 10 cars from the Cape Town area.
The Southern Cape Old Car Club, the organizing body, will showcase an impressive lineup of members’ cars. Club participation is vital to this event, as the George Old Car Show uniquely places clubs at the forefront, allowing them to conduct drive-by demonstrations throughout the show, making it the only car exhibition in South Africa with such a feature.
‘The drive-by component of the George Old Car Show is an ongoing highlight of the event and makes our show stand out as something completely different,’ says Waldo Scribante, Chairman of the Southern Cape Old Car Club.
‘It enables showgoers to find a comfortable seat and experience all the cars as they drive by in groups on the main show field. And our Public Address team interacts with all the car owners during the drive-by sequences to provide a running commentary of [every car], as well.’

Cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors will be on show, as well as stationary industrial engines, and the oldest cars on the show will be well over 100 years old. These old cars, in the Veteran and Vintage category, will be arriving in George on Friday afternoon, after a traditional pre-show tour that this year starts from Calitzdorp on Friday morning.
A stand-out entry is that of Wesse van der Westhuizen from Thabazimbi in Limpopo. In 2019, he saw a genuine 1904 De Dion-Bouton at the George Old Car Show, which is owned by Tom van der Vyver. Since then, Wessie constructed a replica of the De Dion, working only from photographs. This vehicle will also be showcased during the event.
50 cc Motorcycles recall a bygone era
This year, several 50 cc machines will be showcased, representing the crème-de-la-crème of the buzz bike brigade. A collection of Zundapp and Kreidler 50 cc bikes from Gqeberha that were at their prime during the 1970s will be showcased at the George Old Car Show.
Italian bikes from Garelli and Maserati (a sister company to the famous sports car maker) will also make an appearance from Port Alfred.
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Spectators can also look forward to several classic motorcycles such as Ariel, Douglas, Norton, Velocette and Francis-Barnett – topped with a strong entry of Vespas from the George area.
Mercedes-Benz will also see a strong representation, headlined by eight original 300SL machines, the all-time classic sports cars built between 1954 and 1963. The Mercedes-Benz Car Club will showcase some iconic examples of famous German machines dating back to 1913 and modern Mercs such as the SLS Gullwing and AMG GT supercars.

BMW will also be represented by some unusual examples such as the Bavarian marque, the Bauer Cabriolet version of the 323 model from the 1980s, a 35iS Shadowline from the 1990s and more modern examples of M3 and M3 performance sedans.
Owners of pre-1985 classic cars who wish to show their vehicles should visit the Southern Cape Old Car Club at scocc.co.za/register/index-new.php. Only pre-registered cars will be admitted to the showgrounds.
Details:
Costs:
- 10 February: R100 for adults, R80 for pensioners, R50 for high school scholars, free for children under 12
- 11 February: R80 for adults, R50 for pensioners and R50 for high school scholars
- Ticket prices at the gate for 10 February: R120 for adults, R100 for pensioners, R70 for high school scholars, free for children under 12
- Ticket prices at the gate for 11 February: R100 for adults, R70 for pensioners and R70 for high school scholars
- Date: 10 to 11 February 2024
- Time: 8am to 6pm on Saturday | 8am to 2pm on Sunday
- Location: Eden Technical High School, Union Street, George
- Tickets: itickets.co.za/events/475607
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Picture: Supplied