The Surrey Street Rodders celebrated the 50th anniversary of Wheels Day at Newbury Showground on Good Friday, 18th April 2025. With over 2,000 vehicles on show, race car and vintage vehicle displays, and visitors in their thousands, this celebratory event has set up what is expected to be a fantastic season ahead.
What were the highlights of the day?
Since 1974, Wheels Day has been considered to be the ‘Hot Rod and Custom Car’ scene’s season-opening show, and after 50 years, the Surrey Street Rodders have the perfect formula for a great day out. The central fields were filled with display vehicles, ranging from street rods, custom cars, American cars, and performance vehicles to classic bikes, vans, British vintage and classic cars, and historic vehicles. A vast array of traders autojumble stands and food stalls lined the periphery, and there was fun for the whole family with the children’s entertainment areas and fun fair. All set to the dulcet tones of drag racing commentator John Price and Radio Caroline on the mic.
Although the first Wheels Day was held in 1974, the effects of the ongoing Covid pandemic meant that the show could not go ahead in 2021. So with 2025 marking the 50th Wheels Day to be held, this year 50 golden tickets were hidden around the site for people to find. Find a golden ticket and win one of the fantastic prizes – including an insurance voucher donated by ClassicLine Insurance. Our roving reporter wasn’t successful in finding a ticket, but we had fun searching!
Inside the ‘HUGE Shed’, you could find a selection of race cars, dragsters, tractor pullers, rally cars and vintage vehicles. The historic fire appliance display was one of the highlights; the Fordson 10cwt Light Towing Tender was a particular favourite. As was the selection of Wild Bunch Dragsters – some of which may well make an appearance at the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals in a few days’ time.
Around the show field, a modified 1976 Lada caught our eye, as did the showstopper 1942 Chevrolet Coach, which made a starring appearance in Marvel’s Captain America and also went home with a Top 10 trophy. Other standout cars included the signwritten Ford Thames 300E, and a green Ford F100 Pickup.
As a specialist in hot rod, custom and American car insurance, it was a busy day for our team catching up with clients and assisting new and prospective clients with insurance quotations and enquiries.
At the heart of this event are the charities which the club is able to support through the proceeds of the day. Wheels Day is a 100% charitable non-profit car show, and with such a brilliant attendance, we look forward to hearing more on where the donations will be heading to throughout the year.
Wheels Day 2025 Trophy Winners
The day came to a close with the prize giving ceremony, with custom made trophies being awarded to the following vehicles:
Best Club Stand – Victory Wheelers
Classic American Magazine Pick – 1961 Chrysler Newport convertible
NSRA Pick – Steel Model A
Top 10 – Ford Escort xr3i
Top 10 – Street & Strip Capri’s
Top 10 – Golf GTi
Top 10 – Ford GT40
Top 10 – Citroen Light 15
Top 10 – 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88
Top 10 – 1951 Chevy Suburban
Top 10 – Innocenti Mini
Top 10 – 1942 chevy Coach
Top 10 – Ford Pop
Best of Show – Chevy Pick Up
Spirit of Surrey Street Rodders – Fordson Van
Thanks Surrey Street Rodders for a brilliant day!
The ClassicLine team will be back on the road on Saturday, 26th April as we join the Surrey Mustang Owners Club for Mustangs Supercharged at the iconic Brooklands Museum.
Enjoy the Wheels Day 2025 photos!
