Why All British Day is One of Sydney’s Best Classic Car Events

September 15, 2025 — Photography, Automotive, Events

The All British Day at Hawkesbury Showground is a must for car lovers and anyone who appreciates old-school craftsmanship.

With over 1,000 vehicles on display, this massive event brings together UK-built and British-branded machines of all kinds. You’ll find everything from vintage Jaguars to charming Minis. Organised by the Association of British Car Clubs, the show features over 50 classic car clubs, all celebrating British engineering and design.

A Bit of History

All British Day has been running since 1981, when the Austin Motor Vehicle Club staged a charity car display on the rooftop of Top Ryde Shopping Centre. What began as a humble showcase quickly gathered momentum. The event is now one of the biggest British car shows in New South Wales. It still has community at its heart. The first show raised funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of NSW, and fundraising continues to be part of the event's purpose.

What You’ll See (and Hear)

The show brings together an incredible mix of marques and models, including:

· Aston Martins, MGs, Mini’s, Jaguars and Rolls-Royces

· Classic Zephyrs and Triumphs

· Vintage London buses

· See full list of car clubs below

There are also food stalls, model and hobby displays, and live machinery demos to explore. The event is full of passionate people who are always happy to talk about their vehicles and the stories behind them. Classic red double-decker buses, courtesy of the Sydney Bus Museum, ran throughout the day and added to the nostalgic charm.

Also running nearby was All French Car Day, held in a neighbouring park. Vintage London buses shuttled visitors between the two locations throughout the day. I managed to hop on for a ride, but didn’t hop off to check out what models they had on display.

Photographing the Event

As a photographer, this kind of event is a dream for me. Bold colours, shiny chrome and nostalgic design lines everywhere. I spent the day capturing the details, the people and the atmosphere. The cars were beautifully positioned across the showground, and the spring sunlight helped bring out highlights in the paintwork and polish.

If you're part of a car club or helped organise the event, and you're looking for photos to use in social media, newsletters or future promotions, I’d be happy to share a gallery of images from the day. You can get in touch through my contact page.

Final Thoughts

All British Day is more than just a car show. It’s an annual community gathering built on nostalgia, pride and a shared passion for all things British and beautifully made. Whether you're a lifelong collector or, like me, just someone who appreciates a good classic, it's the kind of event that takes you back to a time when cars had real personality!