LIFE ON THE GARDEN ROUTE IS HEAVEN FOR PETROLHEADS
Having lived in Plettenberg Bay, on the Garden Route, for nearly four years I can attest that it is heaven for petrolheads. I have been a member of motor clubs for more than 60 years as all things automotive, especially motorsport, remain a major part of my life. Major motoring events in the region include the Simola Hill Climb, which was staged in Knysna for the 14th time and the George Old Car Show, which is a mammoth event held at the beginning of each year.
On arrival here I bought a 2002 MG TF160 which gave me entry to the highly active and friendly South Cape branch of the MG Car Club. I subsequently also joined the Eden Classic Car Group which operates very successfully as a WhatsApp grouping of enthusiasts. My wife, Meg, and I have already undertaken several enjoyable “away events” with the MG Club, including attending the centenary celebration of the MG car brand at Prince Albert last year and tours to Gourikwa and Hermanus.
The Eden Group has only been in existence for a couple of years, but already has more than 100 members. There is no subscription and no committee. It is democratic and relies on the willingness of members to organise events and is working very successfully.
The club is committed to helping charities and a few members came up with a proposal that we all join forces and organise a motor show to raise funds. This happened at the end of June and was a great success, as can be seen from the post- event media release I wrote:
The Eden Classic Car and Motorcycle Show that was held for the first time at the Scarab Arts and Craft Market in Sedgefield on Sunday, June 23, proved an outstanding success. The weather played a big role in ensuring a steady stream of visitors came through the gates to see a wonderful and varied display of more than 180 cars and 50 motorcycles. More than 2 000 adults came through the gates. (There was no charge for children).
Post-event comments have been full of praise, citing the spacious display area in a rural setting, with plenty of options for food and drink to suit all palates.
This was the first such event to be staged by the Eden Classic Car Group and it not only promoted Sedgefield as part of the popular Knysna Oyster Festival, but the proceeds will contribute significantly to local charities.
“We were delighted at the positive response by both the public and the exhibitors at our show and will build on this enthusiasm into the future,” commented Peter Pretorius, the chairperson of the organising committee.
“Due to a space constraint we had to be selective about the cars and motorcycles we accepted for display, but this meant we could pick and choose to make a widely varying selection of exhibits, ranging from Model T Fords that were more than 100 years old to some of the latest supercars from Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.”
Jaguar was the featured brand at this year’s show, with no less than 10 iconic E-Type Jaguars on display alongside a wide range of other Jaguar models. A real star with visitors was Kobus van Wyk’s gleaming maroon XK 150S drophead coupe that he had driven to Sedgefield from his home at the Vaal Dam in Gauteng.
There were a host of other British sports cars on display from MG, Triumph, Morgan, and Austin Healey. On the other hand, many of the visitors were drawn to Kobus Mostert’s collection of exotic American cars from 1958, with examples of immaculate Cadillac, Imperial, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile cars.
The undoubted star of the varied motorcycle display was Roy Mentis’s 2016 Brough Superior SS100 retro-classic. This meant it had stylised classic looks harking back to the Brough Superiors of the 1930’s but fitted with a modern engine and disc brakes. The workmanship was exquisite.
Former South African motocross champion, Robbie Wicks, made the journey to the show from Hogs Back with three classic British scramblers, being examples of Greeves, Dot, and Rickman, which certainly brought back fond memories for several of the motorcycle enthusiasts among the visitors.
Dennis Cook, who lives in Sedgefield and was deeply involved in organising the show said he was delighted it had been such a success as it not only promoted his hometown as one of the venues for this year’s Knysna Oyster Festival but will also benefit charities in the town.
by Roger Houghton
