The car show that almost swallowed a bike show – The Bike Shed Times Capel River Classic 2025

IT WAS the car show that almost swallowed a bike show.

When organisers of The Bike Shed Times Capel River Classic Motorcycle Show & Shine decided last year to include a pre-1975 car display, the expectation was a few tasty old cars to give the bike crowd something different to look at – and to give the local car crowd a chance to see what motorcycle restoration was all about.

But the turnout of cars was bigger than expected, and the quality of four-wheel machinery really took people by surprise.

So it probably should not have been a surprise this year when what looked like an optimistically large area set aside for the car display on Jeremy Connor’s glorious 20-acre property in south-western Western Australia’s forest country suddenly looked like it wasn’t big enough.

Indeed, as the trickle of classic cars grew to a stream, traffic controllers pondered out loud where are all these cars were going to park?

But there was enough space, thanks in part to some car buffs choosing to park their pride-and-joys among the modern Toyota Hi-Lux’s and Ford Rangers in the public car park.

And what a collection of cars! Aussie muscle, American muscle, early Japanese rotary – there was something for everyone. Perhaps our favourite, snuggled among the modern stuff, was an old Chev (we’re guessing 1936 from the number plate) wearing a truck load of yes-I’m-old patina but not-so-discreetly harbouring a fuel-injected 5-litre V8 under the bonnet. What a beast.

More of a display than a contest, the Capel River Classic Pre-1975 Car Show included a public vote through which to decide a Best Car trophy.

That honour went to Jane Gillham and her lovely 1960 FB Holden ute which captured that sweet spot between useable classic and detailed show car, attracting plenty of admiration – and plenty of votes.