Ballito classic car lover keeps it mellow in yellow

It immediately catches the eye, the sleek yellow two-door Mercedes SLK 230 is just one of the classic cars Ballito’s Lynne Goswell has owned over the years.

Her husband bought her the car for their 25th wedding anniversary. The roadster was made for her in Germany and imported to South Africa.

“He bought me one and I bought him one. His was metallic red. But he sold his, he is inclined to take his cars over the veld, he can’t do with one that low!”

Launched in 1996, the Mercedes SLK immediately created a two-year waiting list. Today, it is a modern classic.

Goswell’s husband chose the colour for her, because her first car, a Mini Cooper, had been the same colour.

“I like yellow. Yellow is a colour that is very safe, especially in misty conditions.”

She uses the SLK for Sunday drives, ideally with the top down.

Her 28-year-old grandson, Angus, who visits from Scotland loves to use the car.

“I often tease him that when I die it is going to be my coffin!”

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The car has only done 20 000 km in the past 21 years.

“The longest trip she has done was in the UK, we drove from London all the way to Scotland.”

For most of her daily driving Goswell uses her gold Mercedes 270 Diesel from 2004.

“They are incredible motorcars. They should never have stopped making them.”

For Goswell, cars today all look the same.

“You have to look twice at a BMW or a Mercedes to see what make it is. I like a car that you look at it and you know straight away what it is.”

Yet another yellow car Goswell owned was a sporty MGB GT from 1980. Her daughter had the same car in a soft top.

“I would consider myself a collector,” said Goswell.

“I just wish I had started when I was younger!”

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