Vintage automobiles make a pitstop in the Lowveld
There were also a number of classics that dated back to 1938, such as Mike Martin's 1937 Riley Castrol Sprite Drophead Coupé.
KAAPSEHOOP – There is something unmistakably enthralling about a vintage automobile. The shape, sound and science behind its craftsmanship still attracts car enthusiasts to this day.
Classic cars made their way to the village of Kaapsehoop as the Riley Motor Club, composed of both South African and international enthusiasts, made a pit stop during its yearly Riley Rendezvous last week.
Kaapsehoop is known for its wild horses, interesting residents and natural landscapes, but last week the village had a number of visitors arriving in vintage cars dating back to the 1920s.
Riley is one of the world’s most scarce automobiles after British Leyland stopped production 1969 and was then subsequently bought by BMW.
The Riley Motor Car Company was founded in 1896 by William Riley. It was previously a manufacturer of motorcars and bicycles.
According to Janet Jones, the organiser of the Riley Rendezvous, this is fourth edition after the plan was hatched 10 years ago.
“As local Riley owners who came into contact with other enthusiasts all over the world, we soon built up a large number of contacts. We decided to get all the Riley owners and their friends and colleagues to join us on our first event in Knysna and other parts of the Southern Cape. It became so popular that it has grown into a yearly event,” she proclaimed. Subsequent rendezvouses took place in Durban and Port Elizabeth.
“We started this year’s event last Friday at Glen Afric near Hartbeespoortdam. We then travelled to Cullinan were we took the steam train to admire the landscape.”
After spending two days in Kaapsehoop they will travel to Orpen Gate and then to Pilgrim’s Rest in the Lowveld.
“The main idea is to have fun and to enjoy each other’s company,” said Jones.
“We have Riley enthusiasts all the way from Australia, Ireland and England who are part of the rendezvous, which goes on for
12 days,” said Pierre van Hell, one of the Riley admirers.
According to Geoff Lanagan from Wales, the best part of this South African automotive excursion is enjoying the company of friends from all over the world who share the same passion.
“There is no better place to take the Riley for long drives than here in South Africa. The scenery is just absolutely gorgeous,” he added.
There were also a number of classics that dated back to 1938, such as Mike Martin’s 1937 Riley Castrol Sprite Drophead Coupé.
“I call her Wallis Simpson. She is named after the famous mistress of King Edward VIII, as she kept me away from my wife for a while as I stayed for nights at Wallis’ side,” he explained with a grin.
He brought the car all the way from Winchester in the south of England to the sunny Lowveld for this automotive adventure.
His face shone with pride as he stood next to the dark-green Riley. A distinct British chap with an eloquent British automobile.
