Hastings Classic Car Show: Seaside Vintage Showdown Brings Old Iron Back to The Stade

Autumn in Hastings means two things for local petrolheads. First, the town slows down and the sky gets that low, clean light that makes chrome look proper. Second, The Stade fills up with classic cars and motorbikes for the Hastings Classic Car Show, which returns on October 11 and 12 as part of Hastings Week. The event is free to the public and runs across the Stade open space in the Old Town, making it one of the friendliest, most laid-back rally stops you will find on the coast.

What to expect on the ground
Expect rows of machines rather than a single concours lineup. The show typically features a broad sweep of machinery, from veteran era vehicles through to later classics. Organisers welcome cars and motorcycles up to around the late 1980s, with exceptional later vehicles sometimes included. There is also a street cruise each day, a short, informal parade that gives owners a chance to drive the town at around 1.30pm. For families and casual visitors, that small procession is a highlight you will not want to miss.

Practical notes
The show runs across the weekend and often operates on slightly different themes or eligibility on each day, so check before you plan to bring a vehicle. Spectator entry is free, though early-booked car entrants sometimes paid a small fee in previous years. There are usually food and drink options nearby and the Old Town’s cafes make it easy to turn a quick visit into a proper afternoon out.

Standout machines and bike highlights
Organisers do not publish a fixed list of headline cars each year, but past coverage shows the Stade filled with a real mix. You will see neat little British saloons and convertibles, more muscular sports cars, and a tidy selection of continental nuances. The motorbike presence is also part of the draw. On the Friday and around the weekend there are often dedicated motorcycle gatherings and organised rides, including informal fish and chip runs that thread through the town and up into the local lanes. If you like seeing machines that have actually been used, often rather than just polished and padded, this show gives you that vibe.

Community buzz, not a corporate circus
What sets the Hastings show apart is the location. The Stade sits under the cliffs by the old fishing huts. That tight, seaside backdrop gives every car and bike a little more character. Local press and photographers turn out, and the crowd tends to be a mix of proper enthusiasts, families on a day out, and older locals who remember the cars from their youth. If you want concours polish, look elsewhere. If you want relaxed chats about carburettors, local history, and what used to cost a week’s wages, this is the place. Recent coverage captured exactly that mix, with crowds milling between the rows of cars and kids peering inside bonnets.

Why it matters
Small local shows do two things that big national events can’t. They keep the hobby rooted in the place where it started, and they introduce classics to people who might only ever see them in a museum. For owners, it is a chance to show the car without the stress of formal judging. For the public, it is free entertainment with real history on the pavement. Hastings Week itself draws more visitors, so the car show benefits from the wider festival atmosphere and gives locals another reason to gather outdoors in October.

How to make the most of your visit
Go early if you want a good look without the crowds. Take comfortable shoes because The Stade is exposed to the wind and often has a crust of old harbour stones. Bring layers. If you are an owner hoping to display a vehicle, check the organiser’s entry details for vehicle eligibility and any early-booking process. Several event pages list how to enter and the specific time slots for day one and day two.

Final note
The Hastings Classic Car Show is not trying to be a big-money spectacle. It is a seaside meet with heritage spread across a weekend. If you like your cars with a bit of salt air and real people leaning on the sills talking about past journeys, it will probably be worth the trip. Keep an eye on the official Hastings Week pages or the local listings for last minute updates, but the basic plan is solid: classic cars, classic bikes, free admission, and two days of autumn rally energy on the Stade.

Source and Images: hastingssussex, sussexexpress