Santos Beach Auto Extremo is a lively yearly car festival held on the beautiful shores of Mossel Bay, where over 200 rare and classic cars shine under the sun. It’s a special blend of stunning ocean views, friendly community spirit, and thrilling motoring history, from old-fashioned Ford Model Ts to sleek Ferraris. Visitors enjoy not just the cars but also fun events like a scenic road tour and a traditional fish braai, making it a joyful day for families and car lovers alike. This festival turns the beach into a vibrant celebration of heritage, horsepower, and friendship.
Santos Beach Auto Extremo is a scenic annual motoring event in Mossel Bay featuring over 200 rare and classic vehicles. It combines automotive heritage, spectacular coastal views, community spirit, and activities like the eSCapeTour and traditional Snoek Braai, celebrating car culture for all ages.
Every September, the tranquil shores of Mossel Bay come alive with the sights and sounds of motoring passion. On Sunday, 7 September, Santos Beach transforms into a rolling gallery, welcoming car buffs, weekend travelers, and families looking for a unique day out. With the Indian Ocean as its backdrop, the festival crafts an experience that fuses nostalgia, artistry, and communal celebration.
The origins of the Santos Beach Auto Extremo trace back almost thirty years. Springtime once brought together a handful of local auto enthusiasts for a simple “Snoek Braai” – a traditional fish cookout that doubled as an informal car gathering. What began as a modest, friendship-fueled picnic quickly evolved into a cherished Mossel Bay custom. As the years passed, the gathering outgrew its humble roots, gaining both size and stature until it blossomed into one of South Africa’s most picturesque motoring events.
Waldo Scribante, the visionary behind the Scribs BENZeum and the event’s devoted founder, recognized the power of place early on. For him, the setting’s beauty is as vital as the vehicles themselves, believing that world-class car shows always pair their exhibits with stunning scenery. He often compares Santos Beach to legendary automotive events like Italy’s Villa D’Este and California’s Pebble Beach, arguing that Mossel Bay’s sunlit sand and winding mountain passes set the stage for something equally iconic. “All the great car shows in the world have one thing in common, and that is a beautiful backdrop,” Scribante insists, positioning Santos Beach as a worthy peer on the global stage.
Wandering the festival’s sandy pathways, visitors encounter a breathtaking spectrum of motoring history and design. The event prides itself on variety, with vehicles spanning more than a century of innovation. On one end, an early 1900s Ford Model T reminds guests of engineering’s humble beginnings. At the opposite extreme, the futuristic lines of the latest AMG SL Roadster showcase the cutting edge of speed and luxury.
The 2023 festival set a high bar, with over 200 rare and classic vehicles gracing the beach. Organizers promise to deliver an even more impressive lineup this year. Automotive icons, both European and American, mingle under the sun. A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL – gleaming in rich ruby red – offers a glimpse into postwar elegance, while its smaller sibling, the 1960 190SL, captivates with its refined simplicity. Nearby, a Ferrari 512 catches sunlight along its aerodynamic panels, reflecting the bold spirit of the 1970s supercar era.
Fans of American muscle find no shortage of classics, from a roaring 1966 Ford Mustang to the sleek lines of a Studebaker GT and the timeless Ford Thunderbird. These cars carry with them the spirit of open highways and cinematic road trips. Street rods and vintage pickups evoke the rebellious glamour of “American Graffiti,” while rare European makes – such as DKW’s quirky two-stroke saloons and the South African-assembled BMW 333i – add layers of local and international flavor. The Porsche 914, often dubbed the ‘Volks-Porsche,’ stands as a highlight for collectors and enthusiasts, its rarity sparking conversation and admiration.
Each vehicle tells a story. The Model T embodies Ford’s vision of affordable mobility for the masses, while a Lamborghini Aventador showcases the art of pushing technological and aesthetic boundaries. This vibrant mix transforms Santos Beach into an open-air museum, where every car represents a chapter in the ever-evolving tale of human ingenuity.
For many, the festival’s experience begins long before they reach the coastline. The eSCapeTour, a two-day motoring adventure, kicks off in the picturesque town of Franschhoek – famed for its vineyards and French heritage. On Friday, participants set out across two of South Africa’s most scenic passes: Franschhoek Pass and Tradouw Pass. The route promises both breathtaking vistas and the simple pleasure of driving, as engines echo through valleys and mountains.
An overnight stop at the Karoo Art Hotel in Barrydale blends motoring history with the creative spirit of the Klein Karoo. Here, drivers and navigators share stories over dinner before continuing their journey to Mossel Bay the next morning. This moving procession, equal parts rally and rolling social event, channels the spirit of Europe’s great road tours and adds a sense of pilgrimage to the festival.
Once the cars arrive at Santos Beach, the heart of the event beats with the time-honored Snoek Braai. The Mercedes-Benz Club and Southern Cape Old Car Club ensure the tradition remains strong, hosting a feast where fresh, local fish takes center stage. Kobus Harris and his team orchestrate the meal, infusing the gathering with aromas of the sea and woodsmoke. As friends old and new share stories around the braai, they reflect on the festival’s journey from seaside picnic to major annual event – a transformation driven as much by community as by chrome.
Santos Beach Auto Extremo distinguishes itself through its commitment to inclusion and local partnership. Unlike many car shows that cater to a select few, this festival welcomes everyone – enthusiasts, novices, and families alike. Key community organizations including the Lions Club, Round Table, and NSRI Mossel Bay play vital roles, ensuring the event remains accessible and family-friendly. Their efforts guarantee seamless logistics, safe environments, and activities tailored to visitors of all ages.
The festival’s impact extends beyond the cars. With the support of #ICONIC Mossel Bay, the event shines a spotlight on the region’s natural beauty, heritage, and hospitality. At a time when digital interactions often replace genuine experience, Santos Beach offers a return to tangible pleasures: the sight of sunlight on polished fenders, the scent of salt and engine oil, and the joy of lively conversation.
Organizers look to icons like Villa D’Este and Pebble Beach for inspiration, drawing on their blend of tradition, artistry, and setting. Yet, rather than imitate, Santos Beach forges its own identity, rooted in authenticity and local pride. Here, car culture becomes a vehicle for storytelling. Each dashboard, hood ornament, and tailfin recalls an era – whether the minimalist purity of postwar Europe, the exuberance of American pop culture, or the innovative drive of today’s engineers.
Young visitors dart between the vehicles, dreaming of future adventures, while seasoned collectors trade tales of restoration and discovery. With affordable tickets for adults and children welcomed free of charge, families gather at the continent’s edge to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and community. As engines quiet and the sun dips into the Indian Ocean, the festival’s stories linger in the coastal air – a testament to the enduring power of heritage, horsepower, and human connection.
Santos Beach Auto Extremo is an annual car festival held every September on the shores of Mossel Bay, South Africa. It features over 200 rare and classic cars ranging from early 1900s Ford Model Ts to modern supercars like the Lamborghini Aventador. What makes this event unique is its stunning coastal setting beside the Indian Ocean, blending automotive heritage with scenic beauty, community spirit, and family-friendly activities such as a traditional Snoek Braai (fish cookout) and a scenic road tour called the eSCapeTour. The festival offers a vibrant celebration of heritage, horsepower, and friendship.
The festival takes place annually in early September on Santos Beach, located in Mossel Bay along South Africa’s southern coast. The 2024 event is scheduled for Sunday, 7 September. Mossel Bay’s sunlit sandy shores and nearby mountain passes provide a breathtaking backdrop for the exhibition of classic and rare vehicles, making it one of the country’s most picturesque motoring events.
Santos Beach Auto Extremo showcases a diverse range of vehicles spanning more than a century of motoring history. Attendees can see everything from the iconic Ford Model T and vintage European cars such as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL and Porsche 914, to American muscle cars like the 1966 Ford Mustang and classic Studebaker GT. The festival also features modern luxury and performance cars, including the AMG SL Roadster and Lamborghini Aventador, creating a dynamic open-air museum for car enthusiasts of all tastes.
The eSCapeTour is a two-day scenic road tour that serves as a prelude to the festival. It starts in Franschhoek, a picturesque town famous for vineyards and French heritage, and travels through some of South Africa’s most beautiful mountain passes, including Franschhoek Pass and Tradouw Pass. Participants spend a night at the artistic Karoo Art Hotel in Barrydale before continuing to Mossel Bay. This journey is both a rally and social event that enhances the festival experience by connecting motoring passion with South Africa’s stunning landscapes.
The Snoek Braai is a traditional fish barbecue that forms the heart of the Santos Beach Auto Extremo celebration. It traces back to the festival’s origins nearly 30 years ago when local enthusiasts combined a fish braai with informal car gatherings. Today, it is organized by the Mercedes-Benz Club and Southern Cape Old Car Club, featuring fresh local Snoek fish grilled over wood fires. The braai fosters camaraderie among participants and visitors, highlighting the festival’s strong community roots and offering a true taste of South African coastal culture.
Santos Beach Auto Extremo is committed to inclusivity and community involvement. It welcomes everyone from car enthusiasts and novices to families, with free entry for children and affordable tickets for adults. Local organizations such as the Lions Club, Round Table, and NSRI Mossel Bay help ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. The festival also promotes regional culture, heritage, and hospitality through partnerships with entities like #ICONIC Mossel Bay. This focus on community ensures a welcoming atmosphere and a rich cultural experience beyond just the cars.
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