Sydney’s Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo is the main game when it comes to indoor car shows in the Harbour City, with Meguiar’s MotorEx long ago having relocated to Melbourne. Taking place at Rosehill Racecourse, the Auto Expo is more modest in scope than MotorEx to be sure, eschewing the delights of drifting and after-dark parties for the pure car show element.

And in that, organisers Andy and Donna Minas certainly deliver, serving up an incredible array of vehicles each year and attracting quality unveils from far and wide. If you have an old-school race car, hot rod or custom, Rosehill is seen as the place to unveil it!

While there are street machines galore at the event, the show does what it says on the tin, with a very strong representation of rods and customs. The Andy Colalillo-curated Nostalgia Lane section of the event has a lot to do with this, bringing plenty of trad-style vehicles for the fans to enjoy.

The Auto Expo also reigns supreme as a social event – with a fairly tight footprint, you’ll find yourself bumping into old mates all day!

A big change for the 2026 Auto Expo – the 12th edition of the event – was a shift to a single-day format rather than the usual two-day affair.

“It worked out really well,” said Andy Minas. “We were a bit sceptical about it initially, but our costs have grown to the point that two days wasn’t viable.

“We have always been inspired by the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show, which is a one-day event. So, we’ve tried to emulate a lot of things about that show, including the idea of having a big entrant party after we bump in on Friday night.”

And how did it turn out?

“Even with some dodgy weather, we had our biggest Saturday ever,” said Andy. “And we had a lot of new cars, sponsors and traders. Will we be doing it again next year? You bet! We are on again for 22 May 2027!”

Another change was a move to a simplified awards system, with the major awards limited to a Top 20 and an Elegance Award to recognise the car with the most overall impact and wow factor. Again, this was largely a cost-saving measure, but it was offset by the club awards that are presented by car clubs participating in the Nostalgia Lane section of the show.

HIGHLIGHTS:

1. This stunning ’52 Pontiac Chieftain was built by the team at Cahill’s Speed Shop and painted by Riff Raff Hot Rods for the late Tim Cox. “Tim got a terminal cancer diagnosis when he was 40,” said Mason Cahill. “That kicked him into gear, so he bought the car in 2022 and brought it to us in early 2024.”

The team treated the Poncho to airbag suspension, an LS swap and a 2.5in roof chop to achieve Tim’s vision, who passed away in September 2024. “His family forged on with the build in Tim’s honour, and are looking forward to hitting the streets in the car Tim planned so well,” Mason said.

2. Mario Andrado’s ’50 Ford won the Mooneyes’ Choice award. Built by the Heavy Metal Garage team, the spinner sits seriously low thanks to a custom chassis and air suspension. Body mods include a sweet roof chop, bobbed bootlid, single-piece side glass and custom fender skirts. At first glance, the paint by Deluxe Auto Refinishing looks all-green, but it actually fades up from candy black.

3. Each year, the Nostalgia Lane section of the show has a theme, and this year it was gassers! Damien Kemp is best known for his eight-second ‘Fundabolt’ Vintage Gasser, which combined ratty looks with stacks of puff. While Damo’s Willys is an altogether more glamorous ride with its eye-popping custom paintwork by Karl from KDS Designs, she is still plenty tough thanks to a 496ci BBC.

4. Previously known as ‘Bad News’ when owned by Greg Ford, Simon Adrichem’s ‘Mr Shifter’ FX Holden gasser has been terrorising Sydney Dragway with its wheelstanding antics for a decade under his stewardship. It runs a tunnel-rammed 482ci big-block and G-Force transmission, and Simon upgraded the looks side of the equation with a stunning panel paintjob featuring heavy green ’flake by Cool-Az Hot Rod Shop and lettering by Morris Signs.

5. Mark Attard’s aptly named ‘Pablow’ is a 1962 Lincoln Continental, slammed hard over 20in Detroit steelies thanks to a four-link rear and AccuAir air suspension. The big Linc retains its factory 430ci MEL donk for propulsion but has been treated to a stunningly tasteful trim job in Moss Green leather by Blackneedle Auto Upholstery.

6. The winner of the Elegance Award for 2026 was Matthew Ellard’s TA22 Celica, making it two-from-two in the big awards for the car, having also taken out the Grand Master title at this year’s MotorEx.

7. Warren Reid’s ’55 Chev got the big thumbs-up from us; combining classy two-tone duco with chrome steelies is always a winner! Even better, the ’55 is powered by a 502ci big-block Chev, backed by a Doug Nash five-speed! Under the front end, you’ll find dropped stub axles, Wilwood brakes and tubular A-arms, with a stout 9in out the back.

8. Ashley Swift’s ’34 Ford coupe looks for all the world like a period-perfect, 1960s-built Aussie-style coupe, but it didn’t start out that way! We thought it was a historic car that had been revived, but nope, you’re looking at a fresh build. Five stars!

9. We featured Mardi Knight’s EK Holden in Street Machine Hot Rod #7, back when it was first built by Paul Davies. Mardi acquired the EK late last year and is the perfect custodian for this classic Aussie custom car. Mardi plans on keeping the car close to the vision dreamed up by Paul and his dad, with a few of her own touches to come.

10. The crew from Misled Youth always make a big scene at the Rosehill show, and this year was no different! Lincoln Camilleri and Alex Morris signed a contract that if either of them failed to get their car to the show on time, the loser would have to pay up $2000! Luckily, they both made it and scored the Desert Speed Australia pick award along the way. And check out the killer artwork celebrating the wager by Drop Moot. Lincoln’s ride is an uber-rare ’58 Edsel Roundup, while Alex is rolling in a Larry Watson-esque 1959 Ford Ranchero.

11. Michael and Tamara Maiolo’s HK Monaro GTS has all the goodies a tough restomod needs in 2026, including a Harrop-blown LSX 376 for propulsion, backed by a TH350, 2500rpm stally and BorgWarner diff. Rims are Schotts, measuring 18×7 at the front and 19×10 on the rear.

12. Chris Symeo’s VG E35 tribute in Hot Mustard had the Mopar fans drooling! Cool mods include electric a/c, a period-style sunroof and a hot Hemi six. The perfect bodywork was handled by Sebastian Desisto, with paint by Chris Pikis.

13. Jamie Goodhew’s ‘Bronzed Aussie’ HQ Premier is just so nice! Under the bonnet is a tough 383 Holden, backed by a TH350 and 9in combo. Rims are 19×10 and 19x8in Intros, while the paint is Cognac Metallic.

AWARDS

ELEGANCE AWARD – $2000 & Trophy

Matthew Ellard – 1974 Toyota Celica

TOP 20 WINNERS (in no particular order)

TOP 5 MOTORBIKES (in no particular order)

BEST CLUB DISPLAY – Cash Prizes & Trophy

MOONEYES PICK

Mario Andrado – 1950 Ford

BEST INDIVIDUAL DISPLAY – $500 & Trophy

Matthew Ellard – 1974 Toyota Celica

BEST DISPLAYED VEHICLE – Trophy

Ross Williams – 1937 Ford

TOP PUSHBIKE / PEDAL CAR – Trophy

Ian Lowe

TOP PINSTRIPER – Trophy

Alan Smith

TOP ARTIST – Trophy

Little Mick – Beatniks