Co-organiser Grant Faulkner, of St Marys, said that YouTube was yesterday morning abuzz with news that the event had been canned.

"That was actually correct, but many people obviously don't hang on the internet and simply ignored the rain and came along anyway," he said.

"I'd just had breakfast, about 10am, when a mate asked if I'd put the marquee up because there were more than a dozen cars parked on the village green.

"I did and cars kept coming long after the rain that caused the cancellation disappeared.

"It's the most successful cancelled car show we've ever held."

Ray Appleby, of Hobart, attended with his 1959 De Soto.

Mr Faulkner said that the car, one of only 113 assembled in Adelaide, was no stranger to St Marys as local farmer and contractor, the late Bert Lohrey, bought it new and used it until 1973 when he parked it in a shed.

"He even used it around the farm as a ute, the boot is so big," Mr Faulkner said.

"Everyone knew it was in the shed and quite a few tried to buy it, but Bert never sold anything and it remained there until his son died and the estate was auctioned about 15 years ago.

"Ray (Appleby) is only the car's second owner

"It's a very special car, both historically and to the town."

Mr Faulkner said that "a few hundred" people visited the green over the course of the day where about 40 cars remained on display.