The Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show returns to Gembrook Recreation Reserve on Sunday 21 February 2027, bringing vintage cars, hot rods, beautifully restored classics and custom-built vehicles together for a celebration of motoring history in the Dandenong Ranges.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Emerald & District, the event combines a vehicle display with a swap meet, awards and community fundraising. It welcomes pre-1990 classic, custom, vintage, veteran and hot rod vehicles, building on the tradition of the former All American Car Display & Swap Meet.
Classic Cars, Hot Rods and Custom Vehicles
The main attraction is the collection of historic vehicles brought to Gembrook by owners and motoring clubs from across Victoria. The show celebrates the diversity of automotive design, from early veteran cars to colourful customs and much-loved classics.
Visitors can wander between the parked vehicles, admire the details of individual restorations and speak with owners about the history of their cars. Many have invested years of work in restoring original mechanical components, sourcing period-correct parts or creating personalised modifications.
Vintage and Veteran Cars
Veteran and vintage vehicles provide a glimpse into the early decades of motoring, when car construction, controls and mechanical systems looked very different from those found in modern vehicles.
Their distinctive bodywork, narrow wheels, period interiors and exposed mechanical components make these vehicles especially interesting to examine up close. For collectors, preserving an older car can require a combination of specialist skills, research and access to rare replacement parts.
Classic and Original Cars
Classic cars are another important part of the display, with vehicles representing different decades and manufacturers. Some have been carefully restored to factory specifications, while others remain remarkably original.
These vehicles can be particularly appealing to visitors who remember seeing similar models on Australian roads. They also provide an opportunity to compare how automotive styling, technology and comfort developed over time.
The 2026 show included an award for Best Original, recognising the value of preserving a vehicle’s authentic character.
Custom Cars and Hot Rods
Custom cars and hot rods bring another style of motoring to the event. Their owners often focus on creative bodywork, distinctive paint finishes, modified engines, unusual interiors and personalised details.
Hot rods draw on a tradition of modifying older vehicles for performance and appearance, while custom cars can reflect an owner’s individual interpretation of a particular design or era.
Seeing these alongside restored original vehicles highlights the different approaches enthusiasts take to preserving, modifying and enjoying automotive history.
Gembrook Swap Meet
The swap meet is an important part of the show, giving automotive enthusiasts an opportunity to browse stalls selling parts, accessories and other motoring-related items.
For people restoring older vehicles, swap meets can be particularly useful because some components are difficult to find through ordinary automotive retailers. Visitors may encounter spare parts, specialist equipment, memorabilia, accessories and items collected by fellow enthusiasts.
The range of products depends on the participating stallholders, so there is no guarantee that a particular part or accessory will be available. Even so, browsing the stalls and speaking with experienced collectors can be part of the appeal.
Anyone interested in operating a market stall should contact the organiser for the next show’s registration conditions, fees and setup arrangements.
Car Show Trophies and Awards
The Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show recognises outstanding vehicles through a series of awards celebrating presentation, restoration, originality and custom design.
At the 2026 event, awards included Rotary President’s Choice, Best Classic, Best Custom, Best Original and Best Hot Rod. Additional awards included Mr Excited’s Award and a Rockabilly-themed prize.
These awards contribute to the friendly competition between exhibitors while recognising the effort involved in preparing and maintaining historic vehicles.
The categories and judging arrangements for the next show have not yet been confirmed, although the organiser’s website provides photographs and results from the completed 2026 event.
Entertainment and Family Activities
Beyond the vehicle displays, the event brings car clubs, volunteers, local businesses and families together for a day in Gembrook. The open recreation reserve provides space to explore the cars and enjoy the atmosphere without the formal setting of a large indoor motor show.
The 2026 event featured music from RustBucket and the Women of Rock Show, contributing to the retro motoring theme. The event also celebrated rockabilly style through a special award.
Music, food and other community activities may vary between editions. Visitors should check the current programme for the final entertainment and catering arrangements.
Families can enjoy looking at the different cars and discovering how vehicles have changed over the years. Children should be supervised around display vehicles and moving traffic, and visitors should always ask permission before touching or entering privately owned cars.
Supporting Emerald Rotary
The car show and swap meet is a major fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Emerald & District. Money raised supports the club’s local and international community projects.
Rotary volunteers contribute to organising the event, welcoming visitors and coordinating the activities that make the show possible. Local businesses and sponsors also help support the fundraiser.
This community purpose is an important part of the show’s identity. Attending offers an opportunity to enjoy an impressive collection of vehicles while contributing to projects beyond the event itself.
Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show Date and Times
The next Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show date has not yet been announced.
The most recent confirmed edition took place on Sunday 22 February 2026, following this schedule:
- 8am: Display vehicle entry began.
- 9am: Public spectator admission began.
- 2pm: Scheduled event finish.
These times relate to the completed 2026 event and are not a confirmed timetable for the next edition. Visitors should check Emerald Rotary’s event information before travelling.
Gembrook Car Show Entry Prices
Admission prices for the next show have not yet been announced.
For the 2026 edition, public entry was $10 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. Owners displaying vehicles and swap meet stallholders were subject to separate participation arrangements.
Future spectator prices, vehicle registration fees and swap meet charges will be determined by the organiser. Refreshments and purchases from individual vendors are additional expenses.
Where Is the Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show Held?
The show is held at Gembrook Recreation Reserve, near the junction of Belgrave-Emerald Road and Orchard Road in Gembrook VIC 3783.
The reserve is a community sporting and recreation area with an oval, pavilion and surrounding open spaces. Its location in the eastern Dandenong Ranges provides a scenic setting for the display of historic cars and motorcycles.
The show is separate from the car displays and other automotive events held elsewhere in the Dandenong Ranges, including the Kalorama Rally.
Getting to Gembrook Recreation Reserve
Driving and Parking
Gembrook is located in the eastern Dandenong Ranges, beyond Emerald and Cockatoo. Visitors travelling from Melbourne can approach via Belgrave and Emerald or through the surrounding roads connecting to Pakenham and the eastern suburbs.
Driving is convenient for many visitors, particularly those travelling from outside the immediate Gembrook area. The show can attract additional traffic around the recreation reserve, especially when display vehicles and stallholders are arriving.
Parking and entrance arrangements may change between editions. Follow the organiser’s signs and directions from volunteers rather than assuming that every reserve entrance will be available for general spectators.
Public Transport
Gembrook can be reached by regional bus connections through nearby Dandenong Ranges towns, although services are less frequent than in metropolitan Melbourne.
Visitors planning to travel by bus should check the current Public Transport Victoria timetable and the walking distance to the recreation reserve.
Exploring Gembrook and the Dandenong Ranges
A visit to the car show can also be combined with time exploring Gembrook. The town is known for its country atmosphere, surrounding forests and connection with the historic Puffing Billy Railway.
Gembrook’s cafes and local businesses provide places to stop before or after the event, while nearby scenic drives offer opportunities to explore the eastern Dandenong Ranges.
Visitors travelling in classic cars should allow for winding mountain roads, changing weather and additional traffic during popular weekend events.
History of the Gembrook Car Show
The Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show developed from the successful All American Car Display & Swap Meet, an established event on Victoria’s automotive calendar.
The former event focused on American vehicles, while the refreshed Gembrook format broadened eligibility to include pre-1990 classic, custom, vintage, veteran and hot rod cars from a wider range of manufacturers.
The inaugural event under the Gembrook Classic & Custom name was held on 22 February 2026. Emerald Rotary reported a successful day, with awards presented across several vehicle categories.
The event continues the club’s tradition of bringing motoring enthusiasts together to support local and international Rotary projects.
Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show FAQs
When is the next Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show?
The next date has not yet been announced. The most recent confirmed show took place on Sunday 22 February 2026.
Where is the Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show held?
The event is held at Gembrook Recreation Reserve in Gembrook, Victoria, near Belgrave-Emerald Road and Orchard Road.
How much does it cost to attend?
Prices for the next edition are unconfirmed. The 2026 event charged $10 per spectator, with free entry for children under 12.
What cars are displayed?
The show focuses on pre-1990 classic, custom, vintage, veteran and hot rod vehicles. Display eligibility and registration conditions are set by the organiser.
Is there a swap meet?
Yes. A motoring swap meet has been part of the event, providing an opportunity to browse automotive parts, accessories and other items offered by stallholders.
Who organises the Gembrook Car Show?
The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Emerald & District as a fundraiser for local and international community projects.
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