Car enthusiasts and collectors gathered over the weekend for a Classic Car Show Meet organised by local enthusiasts, bringing together over 30 vintage vehicles and motorbikes in a celebration of automotive history and shared passion, this past weekend in Maun.
According to James Alexander, the main organiser, the meet grew out of a simple realisation that many older vehicles were still being driven around town or sitting unused in garages. “A classic car is rated at 25 years and older,” he explained, noting that vehicles built around the early 2000s now qualify. What began as a small club of enthusiasts has steadily grown into a regular gathering that now attracts dozens of classic machines.
Held locally, the event showcased a variety of vehicles ranging from restored classics to ongoing restoration projects. Alexander said the relaxed nature of the meet is part of its appeal, with gatherings organised every four to six months through a WhatsApp group. Participation is open to any vehicle or motorbike that is at least 25 years old.
He said the growing turnout reflects a strong community of car lovers who appreciate both the nostalgia and craftsmanship associated with classic vehicles. For many owners, maintaining older cars has a larger and more sentimental in value.
“I think it reminds people of their past, maybe something they did with their parents who’ve passed on,” Alexander said. “It brings back memories of growing up and good times with family.”
Beyond nostalgia, classic cars can also represent a financial investment. Alexander explained that while most vehicles depreciate for many years after purchase, their value can begin to rise again once they reach classic status. Some collectors intentionally buy vehicles that are around 10 to 15 years old and hold onto them until they become classics.
He pointed to American comedian and collector Jay Leno as a well-known example of someone who has turned a passion for classic cars into a valuable collection.
Among the standout vehicles at the meet was a rare Jaguar owned by enthusiast Casper Badenhorst. The two-door coupe, built in 1975, is believed to be one of only two surviving examples of its kind in the world.
Badenhorst said he first spotted the car sitting unused in a garage and decided to purchase it about a year and a half ago. Since then, he has been gradually restoring it while trying to preserve as much of the original design as possible.
“This car is 50 years old now,” he said. “You want to keep it as original as possible — the rubbers, the fittings — because that’s what keeps the value.”
According to Badenhorst, only five of the prototypes were originally built in South Africa, and only two are believed to remain today, with one located in Cape Town and the other now in Botswana.
The rarity of the vehicle has made it a highlight of the meet and a symbol of the unique pieces of automotive history that can still be found in private garages.
Another participant named Lasaro Mokenena, that was relatively new to the club shared his experience after having joined recently, and showcasing his Land Cruiser that had origins going back as far as 1940 and having taken about a year to build and ultimately how his car,
As the gathering continues to grow, organisers say the goal remains simple, to create a space where enthusiasts can share stories, admire restoration work and celebrate the enduring legacy of classic vehicles.
