THE Prestatyn Classic Car Show returns to the town this Bank Holiday Monday as its organiser celebrates the 25th edition of the popular event.
The annual exhibition started in 2000, and despite being cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, survived thanks to the hard work of founder Tim Williams and his dedicated volunteer staff.
Next week’s event, being held on Bank Holiday Monday, is the 25th edition, a milestone its founder said he never believed would be achieved.
In past years, a range of cars have impressed patrons, including an A DMC DeLorean, famous for being a time machine in the Back to the Future films.
Other favourites from years past include a Morris Minor collection, a Pontiac Firebird, Ford Mustangs, a Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray, and older Jaguars, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royces.
“It’s the 25th year for our show so that’s quite a milestone,” Mr Williams told the Journal.
“This year we're going to have something different, which is the People's Choice.
“We're arranging for people to be able to pick their own favourite car of the show that will be awarded a prize at the prize giving.
“It's going to be a QR code on people's cars, so if people come and they like a car, they scan that QR code on the car - that will give them a chance to vote for that car.
“It's more public participation - they will influence who wins that particular class.”
The show has steadily grown over the years, with the first edition, held to celebrate the millennium, showcasing 30 cars – this year’s total could top 400.
Entries for this year are now at full capacity, with vintage vehicles set to line the High Street, nearby car park and area by the Christ Church, with both residents and car enthusiasts getting a glimpse of motoring from the past.
Mr Williams said he “never” expected the exhibition to grow to such a large size and that live music would be on offer at bars and areas around the town on the day.
He added: “We've got probably 350 cars entered, probably getting on for 400 now.
"We started with about 30 cars. It was a millennium event and we thought ‘oh, we'll have a few cars out for the millennium’ and it's just grown every year since then.
“We've got a good team. I'm having to do a little bit less as years go on, but they all take their responsibilities very seriously - marshals, parking, advertising, all the rest of it
“It's probably the largest free event in North Wales now because most places they have to pay to go and view the cars.
“It’s a free event for both the car owners that are exhibiting and for the public to come and look round.
“We've had all the shops get involved, some of the shops putting on live music, some of the bars putting on live music on.
“We've got all the shops open for catering, and the shops are open for trade, so it's unique. Because it's in the centre of town - there's something for everybody.”
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