Slowly cruising down the Devon coastline with an air-cooled engine has a unique magic. Meeting other classic campers as you roll through the winding lanes, Cofton will be opening its gates to retro vehicle enthusiasts for long sunny afternoons with live music and a chilled out carshow vibe. A new event near Dawlish will celebrate this lifestyle over a long weekend next month.
This June, Cofton Holidays will host the very first Air-Cooled Car Show Weekender – a three-day celebration of classic air-cooled motors, relaxed camper culture and laid-back beachside living in South Devon. Taking place near Dawlish from the 19th-21st of June, this event is open to any restored VW campers and iconic Beetles, classic Porsches, funky Citroëns and other cars with a classic air-cooled engine.
This weekend escape is more than just a car show. Any Visitors can bring a camper van, camp or stay in Cofton’s award-winning accommodation and soak up everything the location has to offer, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an onsite pub, a noted restaurant and even their own Chippy if you want to get some golden crispy battered food to enjoy vanside.
The event programme features 2 whole days of entertainment and activities, with the main show day taking place on Sunday. Saturday starts with a chilled-out cruise to Teignmouth and back, live bands, food stalls, trade stands and, of course, a Show & Shine competition. As the evening sets in, the atmosphere warms up into festival mode with outdoor live music under canvas, an open bar and happy campers gathering to enjoy the stars of South Devon’s designated ‘Dark Sky’ area.
The whole weekend has been designed to capture the carefree spirit that is unique to the air-cooled scene. Event highlights will include:
-Air-cooled vehicle displays
-Coastal cruising and community vibes
-Live music throughout the weekend
-Show & Shine awards
-Food vendors and local drinks
-Trade stands and autojumble
-Family-friendly entertainment
Camping, touring and luxury accommodation options
Cofton Holidays is already well-known for it’s popular American Car Show Weekend, which will take place later in the Summer. The new event will tap into a different sector of the car enthusiast scene, and offer up the already tried and tested Cofton location to a new audience of car lovers.
Chris Jeffery, Director at Cofton Holidays said: “Here at Cofton we really appreciate the culture that surrounds the air-cooled scene. It’s not about huge, crowded shows; it’s about laid-back road trips, taking the slow road, and enjoying time with good people.
“That’s exactly why we’ve chosen to focus on air-cooled vehicles for this event. It’s a more niche category, and that suits us perfectly at Cofton. We’re not trying to create a massive show – we’d be genuinely happy to welcome around 100 cars in our first year. Building on the success of our American car show, we believe this more focused, community-driven approach is the right fit, and something air-cooled enthusiasts will really enjoy.
“Our aim is simple: to create a relaxed weekend where you can bring your vehicle, spend time with friends and family, and switch off from the outside world. With everything you need on site, it’s about showing off your pride and joy, admiring others, and enjoying fresh air, good music, and a great sense of community.”
Day visitor tickets for Cofton’s Air-Cooled Car Show Weekender will be available to purchase on the day from just £5. Guests staying at Cofton Holidays over the weekend can enjoy the full experience with camping, touring pitches, luxury hot-tub lodges and cottages all available to book.
For more information and to book, visit https://coftonholidays.co.uk/coftons-air-cooled-car-show-weekender/
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