Timeless classics, family stories, and a love for motoring

Some cars are more than just vehicles – they carry family stories, history, and decades of memories.

This year, the SeaRoad Devonport Motor Show will feature two remarkable vintage vehicles from the Bannon family collection: a 1928 Essex Super Six and a 1927 Model T Ford, lovingly restored by Greg Bannon and his late father, Bill Bannon.

The first treasure was discovered sixty years ago during the school holidays of 1965. A young Greg spotted a rusting 1928 Essex Super Six on a farm in Upper Scamander. With five pounds from his father, the deal was done, and Greg spent his early years joyriding it around the family farm.

Later, with his father’s involvement in the Veteran and Vintage Car Club, the Essex underwent a complete restoration in the early 1970s and has since been a regular on Tasmania’s motoring scene. Built by the Hudson Motor Car Company, this Essex was shipped to Australia and fitted with a rare Holden-built roadster body. Powered by a six-cylinder engine with a three-speed gearbox, it cruises comfortably at 70 km/h.

The second treasure in the family’s collection was spotted on a farm in Moriarty and purchased by Bill in 1968 for just $50. He and Greg soon had this 1927 Model T Ford running, but after a few laps around the country roads, it was tucked away in a shed, where it remained mostly untouched for decades.

Then, in 2004, Bill (at 80 years young!) and Greg took on the full restoration of the T Model, determined to have it ready for the Model T Ford Centenary Tour in Echuca in 2008. Though the car wasn’t quite finished in time, it made it to the rally.

Built in February 1927, the Model T features a 2.9L engine, planetary transmission, and two-speed differential, allowing it to happily cruise at 70 km/h. Its Imperial Burgundy colour is an authentic Ford shade from the late 1960s.

Two incredible cars, two generations of dedication.

With such rich histories behind them, these vehicles are a must-see at this year’s Motor Show!

Greg Bannon’s fully restored 1928 Essex Super Six


What you need to know for this year’s show

What: 2025 SeaRoad Devonport Motor Show, proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Devonport North, featuring more than 500 vehicles and attracting thousands of motor enthusiasts from all over the country

When: Sunday 23rd March 2025, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Where: Aikenhead Point, Devonport (at the northern end of Victoria Parade)

Vehicle entry: It’s FREE to pre-enter your vehicle up to Saturday 22nd March (plus you and one passenger are also entitled to free entry on the day). Simply fill out your details using the Enter Your Vehicle form. Tags will be available for purchase until Sunday 9th March. Vehicles entering on the day will pay a show entry fee of $15.00

Show entry: Fees remain unchanged from the previous two years
Adults: $15 each
Children (under 16): FREE
Student card holders: FREE

Facilities: We’ll have a popular selection of food trucks, coffee from Marion Storm cafe, additional coffee vans, trade displays, and a range of entertainment for kids, including rides and face painting (vendor charges will apply)

St Johns Ambulance will also be in attendance


Get your bike in the spotlight – enter now!

We’re looking for more motorbike entries to make this year’s event the best yet. With veteran (pre-1919) and vintage (1919–1930) bikes as part of our 2025 feature theme, this is a great opportunity to showcase classic two-wheel history.

But it’s not just about the classics – all motorbikes are welcome! Whether you ride a race bike, a custom-built masterpiece, or a rare specialty model, we’d love to see it on display.

Don’t miss the chance to line up alongside some of Tasmania’s finest bikes and be part of this year’s incredible event.

ENTER YOUR BIKE TODAY

Last year’s Motor Show featured three of Rosco Holden’s rare factory bikes, including his 1979 DG Suzuki RM125N (L) and his 1975 PK XR 75 (R)



Make way for the MG Cyberster: fast, fun, and fully electric 

After more than 20 years of convertible driving, Grant Vowles gave it up for the power and practicality of electric motoring. The switch to a Tesla Model 3 Performance five years ago delivered everything he loved about EVs – instant torque, home solar charging, and blistering speed – but one thing was missing: the thrill of a ragtop.

So when electric convertibles finally looked like a reality, Grant was first in line. But due to delays with models like the Porsche Boxster EV and soaring price tags, the MG Cyberster became the clear choice.

Getting one in Tasmania, however, wasn’t easy. When this vehicle arrived from a mainland dealer in mid-December 2024, it became the first Cyberster registered in Tasmania – a process that couldn’t even begin until Transport Tasmania updated its EV database.

Now, with the perfect blend of open-air driving and electric performance, this all-electric roadster is turning heads as one of Tasmania’s most exciting new arrivals.

Come see it for yourself at this year’s Motor Show!



Tasmania’s young engineers take on electric racing

GreenSTEM Education, founded by award-winning STEM teacher Daniel Edwards, is a Burnie-based charity dedicated to making quality STEM education accessible to all Tasmanian students.

Through hands-on learning, GreenSTEM Education equips young people with skills in engineering, problem-solving, and innovation, preparing them for careers in science and technology.

One of its most exciting initiatives is Greenpower Tasmania, where young people design, build, and race fully electric vehicles. This practical program gives students and young adults real-world experience in engineering and teamwork. Thanks to support from Schools Plus, Montello Primary School is leading the way as the first school in Australia to compete, with grade 5/6 students successfully building and testing their own F24 electric race cars.

If you love motorsports, Greenpower Tasmania offers a sneak peek at the future of racing – where speed and sustainability go hand in hand. As the industry shifts toward electric technology, programs like this are sparking a new generation of engineers and drivers who could one day shape the cars we see on the road and track.

Find out more about GreenSTEM Education and their Greenpower program online:
GreenSTEM Education | Greenpower



Appreciating the support behind the show

A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners, whose ongoing and generous support helps make the SeaRoad Devonport Motor Show one of the biggest highlights on Tasmania’s motoring calendar.

As our principal sponsor, SeaRoad plays a vital role in bringing this event to life. A leader in freight and logistics across Bass Strait, SeaRoad is committed to supporting Tasmanian communities and industries.

Elders, another proud sponsor, has been backing regional Australia for over 180 years. With a strong connection to farming, agribusiness, and local communities, Elders’ support helps keep this event a standout.

We’re also grateful for the contributions of the Tasmanian State Government, Events Tasmania, and the Devonport City Council, whose support ensures the continued success of the show.



Looking back on 18 years of the Devonport Motor Show

From its humble beginnings as the Devonport Car Show and Swap Meet in 2007, founded by Devonport North Rotarian Ian Murcott, the event has grown into Tasmania’s premier motor show.

In its early days, the event showcased just 60–70 vehicles, but it quickly gained traction. By 2009, it had been rebranded as the Devonport Motor Show, drawing larger crowds and increasing its fundraising impact.

Over the years, the Rotary Club of Devonport North has worked tirelessly to expand and enhance the show. In 2012, we introduced a dyno machine that revved up excitement by testing cars for maximum horsepower, while our Saturday night functions in 2011 and 2012 encouraged visitors to extend their stay in Devonport.

Despite setbacks – including a weather-related cancellation in 2018 and the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 – the event has remained strong, thanks to our hard-working, dedicated committee and the ongoing support of local sponsors.

Major sponsors over the years have included Gowan’s Toyota, Supercheap, TT Line, Knight Frank, and SeaRoad, with Chas Kelly providing extensive sponsorship, logistical support, and feature vehicles.

One of the event’s biggest milestones came in 2017, when the show featured the EFIJY Holden concept car, attracting record-breaking crowds, nearly 700 display vehicles, and its highest fundraising to date.

More recently, the show adapted to COVIDSafe protocols by displaying vehicles in the Paranaple Centre before relocating to its current home at Aikenhead Point in 2022 – a move that also saw a surge in motorbike entries.

Now firmly established as Tasmania’s premier motor show, the SeaRoad Devonport Motor Show continues to grow, bringing motoring enthusiasts together while making a lasting impact on the community.