Latest news with #PretoriaOldMotorClub
TimesLIVE
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Top cars and moments from this year's Cars in the Park
Perfect weather greeted thousands of classic car owners — and the many thousands of spectators — who made the pilgrimage to Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria for the 43rd edition of Cars in the Park on August 3. 'Every year we hold our breath and bite our nails before the event and this year things were more tense regarding the weather,' said Frik Kraamwinkel, chief organiser of the event hosted by the Pretoria Old Motor Club. 'This year the weather forecast was for a maximum of 14°C for the Sunday and by Pretoria standards that is close to freezing. Staging an event such as this is expensive and we were concerned not only for the classic car owners and spectators but also for the 160 stallholders for a good payday at our event.' Fortunately, temperatures rose to spring or summer temperatures to enable everyone to enjoy the biggest car show in the country and take in the splendour of more than 2,500 classic and special-interest cars and motorcycles. This year a number of dealerships displayed vehicles, including Triumph Motorcycles, the newly reintroduced MG brand and cars from multifranchise outfits such as CFO Mobility and Midmark Motors. Colin Lazarus, owner of a multifranchise dealership in Centurion, was again prominent with his selection of new and special cars, such as two Ford GTs, a Ford GT40 and a 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Around the track there was a feast of cars. Most notable were the dozens of Datsun 1200 and Nissan 1400 pick-ups built in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s. At the other end of the scale were the special invites section. Stand-out cars were a 1937 Cord 812 owned by Sakkie van der Walt, a 1940 Lincoln V12 and a 1939 Chevrolet Business Coupe in pristine paintwork. Tom Linley's Velocette trio of motorcycles, ranging from the mid-1920s to the mid-1930s, were eye-catchers. Another interesting special invite was the DKW F7, a cute little sports car from the late 1930s with fabric bodywork that made it extremely light and a twin-cylinder two-stroke motor owned by Corne Fourie. There were the usual oddballs, such as late 1930s Dodge sedan mounted on a Mitsubishi bakkie chassis and a Mad Max replica based on a trashed Sierra body, with a realistic submachine gun on the bonnet. The 4x4 club — one of more than 100 clubs represented at Cars in the Park this year — had a display of mainly new, perfectly turned-out vehicles. Many of them were fitted with desirable off-road gear such as roof racks. A huge contingent of this display was made up of Suzuki Jimnys. All in all, it was another wonderful edition of Cars in the Park.
TimesLIVE
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
43rd Cars in the Park returns to Zwartkops Raceway on Sunday
South Africa's largest classic car show, Cars in the Park, takes place on August 3 at Zwartkops Raceway. In its 43rd edition, the event is hosted by the Pretoria Old Motor Club, which celebrates its 60th anniversary next year. The club's origins date back to a chance meeting in Pretoria in 1966. Steffan Stander, driving his 1930 Ford Model A through Arcadia, spotted an older Model T heading in the opposite direction. He followed it and flagged down the driver near Loftus Versfeld stadium. The driver was Erwin Kuschke, and the two struck up a conversation that led to a lasting friendship and the founding of the Pretoria Old Motor Club. Though Kuschke passed away some years ago, his sons Philip and Emil remain active in the country's classic car scene. Stander, 84, owns the same Model A and will be showcasing it in the event's Special Invites section. His son Neil will display his own Model A alongside a pristine 1967 Ford Mustang he restored himself. Special Invites celebrate key eras of motoring history This year's Special Invites display at the Zwartkops pit area will feature standout vehicles across four themed categories, offering a curated look at South Africa's motoring heritage. The first category focuses on Vintage cars built before 1930. Among the highlights are: a 1928 Chevrolet Phaeton owned by Francois van Staden; a 1925 Citroën B12 Torpedo belonging to Shaun Spaans; and a 1926 Pontiac presented by Taco Kamstra; a variety of Ford Model T and Model A vehicle; and a rare 1930 Willys Sedan owned by William Watson. The second category covers vehicles built between 1931 and 1945. These include: a 1933 Rolls-Royce from the collection of Bob Bouwmeesters; a 1937 Citroën Coupé/Faux Cabriolet owned by long-time Citroën Club member Joyce le Roux; a 1937 Cord 812 belonging to Sakkie van der Wat; a 1937 DKW F7 from Corne Fourie; and a 1940 Lincoln V12, one of the earliest American V12-powered cars brought by Justus de Waal. Another section is dedicated to South African homologation specials, or limited production vehicles from the 1970s to the 1990s built to meet street-legal requirements while remaining eligible for motorsport. These include rare examples of Cortina and Capri Perana models and the Toyota TRD, developed locally with rallying in mind. Three vintage Velocette motorcycles will also be on display, brought by classic bike enthusiast Tom Linley. Feast of Fords with historical depth Across from the Special Invites section, positioned on the ridge near the top entrance to Zwartkops, well-known motoring enthusiast Colin Lazarus will exhibit part of his Ford collection. This includes: a 1966 Ford GT40; a 1957 Ford Thunderbird; several examples of the modern Ford GT supercar; and a classic 1960s Thames car transporter. Lazarus, who owns Lazarus Motor Corporation in Centurion, has a long connection to the Ford brand. He took over the family's Bronkhorstspruit dealership as a young man in the late 1970s and has remained a dedicated collector and supporter of the old car movement. Broader celebration of car culture 'This year our main theme is 'The History of the Motor Car',' said event organiser Frik Kraamwinkel. 'South Africa is fortunate in having played a unique part of the history, being a manufacturer of vehicles dating back to 1923 when the first Fords were assembled here. Our decision some years ago to open the event to all sorts of interesting collectable cars has resulted in our admitting cars right up to 2025, as long as they have a special interest to car enthusiasts.' More than 100 car clubs will take part in the event, filling the infield area of the Zwartkops circuit. The Lions Club will again assist with food and beverage sales, and more 160 vendor stalls will offer everything from clothing and memorabilia to motoring accessories and refreshments. More than 2,500 vehicles are expected, ranging from vintage classics and modern collectables to high-performance cars such as Ferraris and Porsches. Classic motorcycles will also be on show. Media partners and ticket information This year Cars in the Park welcomes a new sponsor in the form of All Things Motoring, a television show hosted by Michael Pashut and aired on Ignition TV. Long-time partner Pretoria FM continues to support the event through on-air interviews and promotional content in the lead-up to Sunday's show. 'We're grateful to Pretoria FM for their ongoing support,' said Kraamwinkel. 'Radio remains a vital part of our strategy to raise awareness in the region, and we're equally pleased to have All Things Motoring on board this year.' Gates open to exhibitors from 6am and the public can enter from 8.30am. Tickets are available online through iTickets at R130 for adults, with free admission for children under 12. Tickets will also be sold at the gate for R150. Exhibitors arriving in classic or collectable vehicles will be admitted free of charge along with one passenger. Any additional passengers will pay the standard entry fee.
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Your ultimate weekend plans in Pretoria
Your guide to this weekend is packed with flavour, feeling, and full-throttle fun. From events that will fuel your petrolhead, soak up your classic charm, to feeling the sky rumble and enjoying a braai with good company. 43rd Traditional Mampoer Festival, Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum – Saturday, June 7 Gear up for a day of vintage cars, roaring engines, and real South African tradition! The Annual Mampoer Rally returns with classic cars, tractors, motorbikes, and more – a dream day out for petrolheads and nostalgia lovers alike. Enjoy mampoer tastings, a cosy beer garden, and a food court packed with everything from boere kos to modern delights. Plus live entertainment, handmade goods, farm stalls, and fun for the whole family. All things heritage, horsepower, and heaps of fun – don't miss it! The rally is on from 08:00 to 18:00. Kiekies Lucas se liedjies, Pierneefteater – Saturday, June 7 Experience the heart of Lucas' music – from beloved classics to hidden gems, performed by Jannie du Toit and Thean Kotze. A journey through humour, heartbreak, love, and life's raw edges, brought to life with powerful vocals and a masterful guitar. Look forward to enjoying Afrikaans music at its most emotional and honest. The show begins at 15:00 SAAF Museum Flying Training Day, AFB Swartkop – Saturday, June 7 Calling on all aircraft lovers… feel the roar of vintage engines, experience a fuel-fumed atmosphere and watch history come to life in the skies above Pretoria! The South African Air Force Museum invites you to an unforgettable morning of aviation action. Visitors can look forward to a peek inside the past with open-cockpit aircraft displays, get up close with warbirds, browse unique aviation tributes and collectables to take a piece of history home. Entry is free, but donations are welcome to keep the machines flying for future generations. The day starts at 08:00 to 13:00. Dallers Knipmesbraai, Laerskool Totiusdal – Saturday, June 7 The knives are here, and so is the braai! Braai lovers, get ready for an unforgettable evening. Join in a one-of-a-kind evening, where good food, great company, and sharp steel come together for a night to remember. Get access to a custom, limited-edition knife plus a mouth-watering spit braai with all the sides. Bring your friends and your appetite, and come enjoy great food. British classic car and bike day, Pretoria Old Motor Club – Sunday, June 8 Step back in time and admire the elegance and engineering of classic British vehicles, proudly showcased by The Pretoria Old Motor Club and invited clubs. From iconic Minis to majestic Jaguars, this show promises a feast for all car lovers! You can look forward to enjoying a relaxed day out with refreshments on site, plus picnic and braai facilities – so pack your cooler box and make it a full-day outing. Plus, you will be supporting a great cause, as part of the entrance fee will go to Sonitus School for the Hearing Impaired, and any additional donations will be warmly welcomed. SEE MORE: Car enthusiasts step back in time at Pre-War Motor Show Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
