Willemstad, Curacao, 31st October 2025: Wabi Club Antique Cars of Curacao celebrated its 60th anniversary on 31st October 2025. What started as just a for-fun opening scene for a Carnival Parade grew into one of the most distinguished, respected, and recognized names in the Dutch Caribbean. To celebrate this achievement, the club’s management team planned a five-day celebration for members and special guests from Aruba. The celebration week included a meet-and-greet, several tours, a church ceremony, a car show, and dinner at Amazonia and Restaurant Bali.

Text: Benjamin Wefer
Pictures: Omar Martha (Friwil), Wabi Club

So how did it all start? The car club was officially founded at the end of the fifties/beginning of the sixties by founding father Benjamin ‘Shon Benchi’ Wefer Sr. He envisioned using vintage cars in front of the grand carnival parade to entertain the public. But it wasn’t in the form we know it today. It was more of a ‘rat rod’ mentality. They would remove the car’s hood, fenders, and seats, and paint funny statements on the sides of the vehicle. Shon Benchi crew up in the thirties. There weren’t many cars back then, Shon Benchi replied. When I was growing up, I fell in love with a 1932 Ford Roadster. I liked the style, and it was also close to my year of birth. I always wanted to start a club, but you can’t start a club with only one car, so I started buying more cars and restoring them — nothing fancy, as long as they were drivable! Wabi Club started with three founding cars: A 1928 Ford Sedan convertible called “Helena”, a 1932 Ford Roadster called “di Baina”, and a 1933 Ford 2-door Sedan called “Dos Tene, Un Pusha”, Shon Benchi added.
In the first years, most of the cars belonged to Shon Benchi himself, and he had several friends who would drive them when needed. In 1965, Wabi Club changed its vision from a rat-rod mentality to a show-n-shine mentality, resetting the clock to zero on October 31 that year. Over the last decades, the club has continued to grow and expand its activities for the members, from regular BBQs to year-end dinners. But also trips outside the island to sister islands Aruba and Bonaire, and even to Venezuela. Today, Wabi Club has 114 members in total and remains very active, with local and international trips. To commemorate this stunning achievement, the management team, led by Sherwin Clemencia (president), worked very hard and went all out to celebrate the 60th Anniversary!
The celebration started with a meet & greet on Wednesday, 29th October at Landhuis Brakkeput Mei Mei Restaurant, which was the last opportunity for members to enroll for the celebration days. Also, the international guests/club representatives had the chance to enroll and receive the schedule and entrance card. Several members from Aruba Muscle & Classic Car Club and Classic Car Club Aruba visited Curaçao to celebrate with the Wabi Club family.
The following day (Thursday 30th), it was the Wabi Cruise, a tour around Curaçao’s city center (Punda). Around 20 antique cars (Wabis) gathered at the Waaigat parking lot, toured the city, and ended at Hanchi Snua for the Punda Vibes. Punda Vibes is held every Thursday evening at the heart of Punda. It’s a friendly atmosphere, with music and shopping. Almost every week, there’s a special theme for the evening with performances by local artists and groups, and it closes around 8:15 with a fireworks show, which, this time, fits Wabi Club’s celebration perfectly.
31st October 2025; it was time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the oldest car club on the island. All members gathered at Misa San Dominico (Catholic church) in Montaya from 18:30 to 19:30 for a blessing from Pastor Alton Fraai (who blessed all owners and their cars after the ceremony). After the ceremony, all members and guests were escorted by the local police department to the Amazonia restaurant for the celebration dinner. While everybody was enjoying dinner, it was an excellent moment to commemorate the pioneers and founding fathers. Benjamin “Shon Benchi” Wefer, Antoon “Tony” Koreman, and Norman “Twee” Tweeboom (who was taken by Marlon Hortencia) received a plaque of merit for their efforts and dedication in ensuring Wabi Club grew into the club we know it today.

Next to the founding fathers, all present honoured Wilbert Pedro, who recently passed away. To pay tribute to and express gratitude for Wilbert’s dedication to Wabi Club, a plaque of merit was presented to Wilbert’s son, who was in attendance at the ceremony. Also, the members of the Aruban car clubs received a thank-you plaque of merit for their attendance.

On Saturday, 1st November, the party continued with a car show at Sambil Shopping Centre. SAMBIL is the largest shopping and lifestyle center on the island, offering a wide range of experiences under one roof —a perfect place for an exclusive car show. A total of 150 vehicles were exhibited at Sambil, with participation from Volkswagen Club Curacao, Rotary Exotic Car Curacao, Japanese Old School Car Club Curacao, Custom Made Garage, Curacao Corvette Team, and several individual participants.  Also, Easy Riders was well represented, which is one of the island’s biggest Motorcycle clubs. DJ John Anthony entertained all present with some good music.
And on the last day of the celebration, Wabi Club ended with another tour. It started at Topaz Party Place in Curaçao. Topaz is owned by Luis de Quintal, a well-known name in the Drag Racing world on the island, and Luis helped Wabi Club with their latest fundraising last July (which raised enough funds for the anniversary celebration). Luis received a plaque of merit for his support. After the small ceremony, the tour started and ended at Restaurant Bali. A small ceremony was held to honour two members for their efforts: Marlon Ortencia and Ranfor Nijdam. It was also the end of a successful celebration week.
For the 60th anniversary, Wabi Club’s management team went all out. A lot of dedication, planning, and effort went into making this 60th anniversary one to remember, and it was definitely accomplished, Wabi Club’s chairman, Sherwin Clemencia, replied. Everyone enjoyed themselves, made new friends, and enjoyed their cars. That was our primary goal. Thanks to all who helped us and to all who took the time to celebrate with us up to the 61st anniversary. Thank you to all the members of the management team and the 60th anniversary committee for their efforts: Clifford Muskus, Nino Koreman, Rodney Juilliet, Clemson Lourens, Mayron Jacobs, and Ranfor Nijdam.

 

The Gallery – by Omar Martha/Wabi Club