A volunteer-run country show that punches above its weight: the Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show takes over the Central West NSW town of Kandos on 24 and 25 January 2026.
| When? | Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January 2026, Australia Day long weekend |
|---|---|
| Where? | Kandos — Central West New South Wales |
| Organiser | Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show |
| Attendance | Australia Day long weekend |
| Since | 1990 |
Kandos is a small town in the Central West of New South Wales, and its show is run by car-minded volunteers with the help of local organisations. That grassroots structure is central to the event's character — and does not stop competitors travelling from well outside the region to take part.
The show is held over the Australia Day long weekend, falling on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January in 2026. Its position in late January makes it one of the first significant dates on the Australian street machine calendar each year, alongside Summernats earlier in the month.
The programme combines a show n shine, grass events and a burnout competition. In 2026 that burnout competition became a Pro Burnout Series qualifier for the first time, which raises the stakes for entrants and draws a stronger field than a country show would normally attract.
With Australia Day long weekend expected, Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show 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 "street machines, hot rods and burnouts" theme.
Over the long weekend:
Mark the window — Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January 2026, Australia Day long weekend — and plan to arrive early: the finest American cars are usually in place by mid-morning, and a crowd of Australia Day long weekend makes parking easier at the start of the day.
The event is held at Kandos, in Central West New South Wales. 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. Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show (street machines, hot rods and burnouts) sits squarely within this movement and has, since 1990, 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 Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show 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 Kandos.
Dreaming of joining Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show 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 Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show.
| 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 — street machines, hot rods and burnouts — worth the journey to a gathering like the one in Kandos.
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 Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show is behind the wheel of your own American car, with complete peace of mind.