What started as a small collection of Sydney’s car enthusiasts meeting over coffee in a quiet suburban neighbourhood on a Sunday morning has grown into a massive monthly event that attracts hundreds of locals, families and motoring enthusiasts – as well as spawning Sydney’s newest automotive club.

The first Cavallino Cars and Coffee event was organised by driving instructor Luke O’Neill, restaurant owner Lido Russo and City Performance Centre’s Alessio Iera and took place at Russo’s Cavallino Italian restaurant with the help of 20 or 30 volunteers.

But by its fifth event, the gathering was overrunning the restaurant, which forced the trio to consider a change of venue – and to arrange other events for the hundreds of enthusiasts who now want to attend and wander through the vast array of vehicles. Iera has flagged plans for track events and other gatherings in venues better suited to the massive crowd the events are now attracting.

The success of the event has been a catalyst for the birth of the Sydney Automobile Club, which opened for membership this week. The Club is expected to attract hundreds of members within weeks.

The Cars and Coffee events exhibit a diverse range of vehicles from rare classics, to Australian muscle cars, to exclusive sports cars. You might find an immaculate Porsche 356 parked between a legendary Aston Martin DB5 and a Holden Torana SLR5000s. Various McLarens, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Ford GT40s and even a radical De Tomaso Pantera have been on show. There are hot rods, Japanese sports cars and rare American classics like a Chevrolet El Camino ute, along with some meticulously restored Volkswagen Beetles and Fiat 500s. One event even featured a number of DeLoreans!

Usually any one of these cars would be enough to turn heads; together they blend into a patchwork of exotic and expensive machines.

The event has even gained the attention of big hitters in the automotive industry, with Ferrari Australasia CEO Herbert Appleroth joining other enthusiasts at the most recent event.

“I’m a car tragic and I now look forward to the first Sunday of every month to share the same passion that I did as a boy and with so many of the other fans out there,” said Appleroth. “There’s not many chances where to you get to see such a wide mix of cars and displayed in a way that makes it so accessible.”

Cavallino Cars and Coffee is held on the first Sunday of each month – the next one will be held on Sunday, August 3. While it officially runs from 8-10am, by 7am there are already cars jostling for the best parking spots – so get in early!

Image courtesy of Cavallino Cars and Coffee