Many visit the small coastal town of Sidney for its seaside walks, cozy cafes, vibrant markets, and abundance of bookstores. But once a year, thousands gather for something quite different – the Torquemasters Car Show.
Returning for 2025, the event transformed the heart of downtown on Aug. 3, showcasing hundreds of vehicles from classic 1960s models to modern electric builds.
Started as a small community gathering in the mid-70s, the event has since grown into a full-fledged annual celebration of automotive history, attracting up to 20,000 people each year, said Jim Clayton, president of the Torquemasters Car Club.
The event, he explained, is partly about giving car enthusiasts and lovers of automotive history a place to share their passion.
“With my generation, we grew up in the 60s, 70s, and we have the cars that now are fashionable,” he said. “Now we're getting to the point where a lot of the folks are retired and they're able to put the money together and have the time to build their own cars and remember the past and so forth.”
However, the event is about more than just cars; it’s about building community and giving back.
“(Our club) has always supported charities and so forth,” he said. “Our biggest thing is community enhancement and getting the car community behind that.”
Clayton added that giving back goes beyond donations or fundraisers. It includes passing the passion from one generation to the next to keep the flame alive.
“One of our goals in the future is to get the youth involved,” he said. “So we're really pushing and trying to get the youth interested and to carry on some other traditions.”
Inclusivity is also a key aspect of the Torquemasters Car Show, setting it apart from other events in the region, added Clayton. The show welcomes everyone, from those converting their cars to electric vehicles to enthusiasts without cars of their own.
“We’ve really made people aware that everybody’s welcome,” said Clayton.
For those who missed this year’s event, Clayton encourages everyone to attend next year’s show.
