Sightings
Some pics supplied, others by author
The smart thing to do with under-utilised real estate is to add alternative uses. Mathew Mundell, son of the owner of Stockowners Farm at Tweedie, Howick, believes in doing that.
On weekdays a portion is given over to a clubhouse with restaurant, a kids’ playpark with mini BMX track and a driving range. That might explain why I found a shiny new golf ball near my car when I parked in the visitors’ outfield this past Fathers’ Day. But back to the alternatives mentioned earlier: Apart from sundry events staged there by Mathew and local entrepreneur Kelly Gibbs (Evergreen Events, Hilton KZN), there is always time for more.
A whisper in an ear, from a local old-car enthusiast, suggested that not all Veteran, Vintage, Post-war and Classic car owners are thrilled with what is currently available by way of local display-and-meet opportunities. Some feel that Cars in the Park, at its newish venue near Ashburton, just isn’t what it used to be. Others don’t want to drive their elderly chariots that far along the N3 highway. And there are those who believe that the Howick area is home to sufficient old machinery to warrant staging a local event.
So it came together: A date was chosen (a “holiday” Sunday that conveniently fell over a long weekend), trade sponsors lined up, vendors invited to participate and live music arranged. Gate charge was set at R30 and dogs, provided their minders cleaned up after them, were allowed in free. Cool and sunny weather was a welcome bonus on the day.
Cherry-picking from 140 exhibits, the following come to mind: Fords included co-organiser Mike Leisegang’s 1930 Model A Sport Coupé, a 1936 V8 Roadster, and a 1916 Tin Lizzie that stood alongside a 1904 Cadillac proudly displayed by the same custodian. Also featured were a selection of VW Beetles, buggies and early Golfs along with two iconic Volvos; a PV-series and an Amazon. The “Beetle-back” cars never had OE engines larger than 1600 cc because their three-bearing crankshafts couldn’t handle higher loads imposed by greater capacity. Power-hungry owners discovered that to their cost. 120-series Amazons that followed boasted 1800 cc and two-litre, five-bearing motors that overcame the early weakness. Built tough for Sweden’s rumoured eighty-percent dirt-road network they became the rally cars to beat – practically anywhere in the world.
The local Jaguar and Daimler group fielded a Mark 5, a pair of Mark 2s that came a while after it, an XK 140, an E-Type, a couple of XRs and two Series-1 XJ6s. One of these, badged Daimler Sovereign, was personally imported. I found an unaffiliated Mark 4 farther down the field.
I then saw four delightful Citroën Deux Chevaux. These were, anecdotally, designed to comfortably transport four burly farmers, minding a basket of unboiled eggs, across a ploughed field; without breaking any.
Other sightings included a couple of Porsches; three Alfa Romeo Spiders; 1941 GMC pickup; 1914 Buick B25 Tourer; 1931 Chevrolet five-window coupé; a wild MG K3 Magnette with supercharger and a mid-thirties De Soto, a brand in the Chrysler empire between 1928 and 1961. It featured Fluid Drive, an early form of automatic transmission.
Also seen were a mid-thirties’ International pickup with wooden body; six Mazda Miatas; a Lancia Fulvia; various Mercedes-Benzes, Toyotas, Jeeps and Land Rovers. I apologise for those unnoticed or not mentioned.
Scattered in-between were interesting old motorcycles including a WW2 BMW with sidecar, a couple of civilian Bimmers, a red (what else?) Moto Guzzi, a Hog, a 1922 BSA and far too many modern off-roaders. Not biased at all, you understand.
For a first effort this show was a resounding success, with plans already in mind for next year. Real Estate is there to be utilised after all.
Some numbers:
Visitors: Over 3000. They were still arriving at lunchtime.
Exhibits: 140
Funds raised for the SPCA: R20 000
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