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On any given weekend in the Hawkesbury, you’re likely to spot something a little different among the utes and SUVs: the glint of 1960s chrome, the unmistakable rumble of an old V8 or even a lovingly restored tractor making its way to a club meet.
Across New South Wales, interest in historic motoring has shifted from niche pastime to mainstream passion and nowhere is that more visible than right here in the Hawkesbury.
A Boom Driven by Policy and Passion
Much of this growth stems from NSW’s Historic and Classic Vehicle registration schemes. The Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS) caters for largely original vehicles over 30 years old, while the Classic Vehicle Scheme (CVS) supports modified classics. To participate, owners join an approved motoring club and follow conditional registration rules that keep costs low and enthusiasm high.
The 60-day log book introduced as a trial and made permanent in 2019 due to overwhelming popularity has been a game changer. Owners now have enough flexibility to genuinely enjoy their cars, not just wheel them out for annual club runs. Recent tweaks, including new plate designs for the CVS released in July 2024, show Transport for NSW is still refining and supporting the system.
The result? Thousands of cars that might once have been hidden away or sold interstate are now being restored, maintained and, importantly, driven.
Why the Hawkesbury Is the Perfect Home for Old Cars
The Hawkesbury’s deep agricultural and transport roots make it ideal territory for historic motoring. Local clubs including the long-established Hawkesbury Historical Car Club offer structure, technical knowledge and community to new and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
But it’s the region’s events calendar that truly tells the story.
NSW All Holden Day – A Local Icon
Held on the first Sunday in August at the Hawkesbury Showground, the NSW All Holden Day is one of Australia’s largest single-marque events. More than 60 Holden clubs contribute each year, with up to 850 vehicles displayed and around 15,000 spectators passing through the gates. For many, it’s a rolling museum of Australian motoring, right in the heart of Clarendon.
Clarendon Classic Rally & Kenworth Klassic
Also hosted at the Showground, this event brings together heritage trucks, tractors and commercial machinery — many arriving on historic plates after months or years of restoration. The sights, sounds and smells transport visitors straight back to the days when mechanical ingenuity powered the nation.
A Calendar Full of Community
From charity cruises like the Hawkesbury Classic Cruise & Show to smaller family-oriented displays, local “What’s On” guides are rarely without at least one motoring-themed event. Each gathering becomes a census of sorts, revealing just how many vintage and classic vehicles call this region home — or are willing to travel here.
Cars and Coffee: Where Community Meets Chrome
While the big shows draw crowds, cars-and-coffee meets are where friendships are forged.
One of the most beloved is Hawkesbury Cars & Coffee in Richmond, held on the fourth Sunday of each month behind RG McGee’s Hotel on Windsor Street. The rules are simple: bring something you love. A pristine show car, a rough project, a quirky import all are welcome.
These informal meets matter more than they may seem. They make historic motoring accessible. They put these vehicles back in public view, not tucked away in sheds. And they spark conversations that help newcomers learn about registration options, find clubs or even pursue their first restoration project.
Events like Mountain Cars and Coffee and the Coffee and Cars Richmond Facebook pages keep locals up to date and provide a constant stream of photos showing just how vibrant the scene has become.
Troy Myers member of Hawkesbury Cars & Coffee says "Historic motoring in the Hawkesbury isn’t just about cars it’s about community, heritage, and keeping our stories alive on the road. Every meet, every rally brings people together to celebrate where we’ve been and inspire where we’re going."
More Than a Hobby: What Historic Motoring Brings to the Hawkesbury
The rise of historic vehicles brings with it tangible benefits:
- Local heritage on display — A 1960s Holden or early Japanese import cruising through Windsor isn’t just eye-catching; it’s a rolling snapshot of how the region once travelled, worked and lived.
- A boost for the local economy — Major events draw visitors who spend on food, fuel, accommodation and shopping.
- Support for skilled trades — Restorers, machinists, upholsterers and specialist workshops all benefit from a thriving vintage scene.
- Intergenerational connection — Grandparents point out the model they learned to drive in; young enthusiasts marvel at mechanical simplicity in an age of high-tech cars.
Keeping History Alive - One Drive at a Time
Historic and classic vehicle registration has given motorists an affordable, practical way to keep older vehicles on the road. In the Hawkesbury, that framework has met the perfect environment: a region with space to drive, showgrounds to gather, and a community eager to celebrate its past.
From the sea of Holdens at Clarendon to a quiet Sunday morning coffee in Richmond, these vehicles aren’t museum pieces they’re living, breathing reminders of our shared history.
And here in the Hawkesbury, their stories are written on the road every week.
