An early start, a swap meet at dawn and around 500 vehicles on the grass: the Eliminators Hot Rod & American Car Club holds its annual Swap Meet and Show n Shine at Beenleigh Showgrounds on Sunday 13 September 2026.
| When? | Sunday 13 September 2026, swap meet from 6am |
|---|---|
| Where? | Beenleigh — Queensland |
| Organiser | Eliminators Hot Rod & American Car Club |
| Attendance | around 500 vehicles |
| Since | 1978 |
The Eliminators Hot Rod & American Car Club has been running since 1978, and its annual Swap Meet and Show n Shine is the fixture the club is best known for. It takes place at Beenleigh Showgrounds, south of Brisbane, on Sunday 13 September 2026.
The day is built around two halves. The swap meet opens to the general public at 6am, giving parts hunters first pick before the heat of the day. The Show n Shine follows from 8am. The event wraps up around 1pm, which makes it an unusually early finish by show standards and a practical option for those travelling in from further afield.
Each year the Show n Shine attracts around 500 hot rods, muscle cars, classics, customs, pickups and motorbikes. The entry brief is deliberately broad, which is what keeps the field varied from one year to the next. More than twenty custom-made trophies are presented for outstanding vehicles.
With around 500 vehicles expected, Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine offers an exceptional cross-section of American car culture. The field brings together vehicles from every era, from concours restorations to personal builds, around the "hot rods, muscle cars and customs" theme.
On the showgrounds:
Mark the window — Sunday 13 September 2026, swap meet from 6am — and plan to arrive early: the finest American cars are usually in place by mid-morning, and a crowd of around 500 vehicles makes parking easier at the start of the day.
The event is held at Beenleigh, in Queensland. Check access, any shuttle services and parking on the official website, and consider car-sharing on the busiest days.
Bring sun or rain protection, comfortable shoes for walking the field, and a budget for food and trade stands. Photographers: the morning light does wonders for the chrome.
Enthusiasm for American vehicles keeps growing in Australia. Meets, clubs and shows multiply year after year, driven by a community that loves the style as much as the V8 mechanicals. Buyers today look for everything from 1960s and 70s muscle to modern pickups and imported youngtimers. Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine (hot rods, muscle cars and customs) sits squarely within this movement and has, since 1978, drawn a loyal crowd that comes to admire, talk shop and sometimes leave with a new project in mind.
Australia applies a 25-year rule: vehicles built more than 25 years ago can be imported under the concessional pathway without full ADR compliance, while newer vehicles face a far more restrictive process. Registration, club permits and roadworthy inspections are handled state by state. Requirements change and differ between states: confirm the current rules with the Department of Infrastructure and your state road authority before committing to a purchase.
Events like Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine are surrounded by marque clubs and regional communities. They share tips, spare parts and hands-on help, organise drive-outs and make it easier to source original components — an invaluable ecosystem when you own an American car and want to keep it on the road around Beenleigh.
Dreaming of joining Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine in your own American car? Americars & Trucks sources, imports and registers US vehicles to order. We start from your brief — model, year, budget, condition — then find the car in the States and handle shipping, customs and registration.
We locate a vehicle matching your criteria on the American market, with inspection and photos, before any commitment.
Shipping, customs, testing and registration: we coordinate every step until you get the keys, in line with local rules.
Service, tyres and detailing: we prepare your American car so it shines on the field at Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine.
| Step | Typical time | Order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| US sourcing | 5–10 days | per brief |
| Ocean shipping | 3–4 weeks | £1,300–2,200 |
| Customs (duty + VAT) | 3–5 days | by value |
| Testing & registration | 1–3 weeks | by provider |
Going from spectator to owner is simpler than it looks. From France and from Australia alike, Americars & Trucks supports enthusiasts who want an American car sourced, imported and registered with no nasty surprises. We know the US market, the buying channels, the auctions and the trustworthy sellers, and we filter for you the vehicles — hot rods, muscle cars and customs — worth the journey to a gathering like the one in Beenleigh.
Dreaming of a specific model seen on the field? We start from your criteria and hunt down the right car, with a detailed inspection report before any financial commitment.
Some collectible American cars appreciate over time. We steer you towards sought-after models, with the right mileage and condition, for a purchase that holds up over the years.
A reliable American pickup or SUV to drive all year? We target sound, well-maintained vehicles ready for local roads with no compromise on safety.
Every case is handled by a single point of contact, from the first search to the handover of the keys, via ocean shipping, customs clearance and registration. The goal is simple: that your next visit to Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine is behind the wheel of your own American car, with complete peace of mind.