Before the Golden Oldies, there was a Benz
Over a century ago, the first car arrived in South Africa.
Exactly one-hundred-and-twenty years ago, South Africa’s first “horseless carriage” arrived at Berea Park in Pretoria.
Local businessman John Percy Hess imported a Benz Velo in 1896, but he only got to drive it in January the following year, as there was a delay in the arrival of the benzene fuel for the engine.
John went on to become the sole agent for the Benz brand in South Africa. The car was subsequently driven in Johannesburg as part of his initiative to promote “a revolution in locomotion”.
In 1903, the first Ford Model A arrived in South Africa. It was the first Ford to be sold outside of North America. Since then, cars have become readily available in South Africa, and by 1910, 1 000 cars a year were using the local roads.
Read more of classic beauties on the road:
Cars of Krugersdorp: 1926 Chevrolet
Cars of Krugersdorp: 1931 Pontiac Cabriolet
Cars of Krugersdorp: 1975 Audi 100 Coupe S
