Cars in the park in Centurion
“I think the car used to belong to the South African Air force, then it was bought by an electrical distributor in Pretoria.”
Thousands of petrol heads and car enthusiasts flooded Zwartkops Raceway in their numbers on Sunday, for the 40th annual cars in the park exhibition.
The event by Pretoria Old Motor Club (POMC) saw many popular vintage and classic cars and bikes on show.
POMC spokesperson Emil Kuschke said the annual event was the biggest of its kind in South Africa.
“We have collectors from more than a 120 motor clubs across South Africa and we reckon there are 3 000 cars currently on exhibition.”
He said lots of well-known car brands also attended the event to exhibit a few of their unreleased models of cars or vintage cars to remind people of the brands history.
“If you are a petrol head and did not attend this event, then you have missed out.”
David Young who drove all the way from Botswana to attend the show said he had never attended an event of this magnitude, with so many car lovers.
“I saw the advert a few days before the event and thought, why not attend with my little yellow baby.”
He said driving around Gaborone, the capital city in Botswana, people had always commented and asked how much the car would be if he sold it.
“Being at the cars in the park event, I am a little overwhelmed by the support and cars that are here.”
Young said his company bought the car 33 years ago.
“I think the car used to belong to the South African air force, then it was bought by an electrical distributor in Pretoria.”
He said the distributor changed their mind on the car and decided to sell it.
“They advertised it in a car magazine and I saw it and came to buy it.”
He said the car was towed to Botswana.
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“I actually bought the car for my office messenger, however he struggled to get his car licence and it’s been with me since.”
Saul dos Santos another vintage car enthusiast said his Mini Cooper was his dream car.
“When I left high school, I saw the car at an old man’s back yard in the neighbourhood.”
He said he approached him and told him he wanted to purchase the car and the man said “give me R8 000 and it’s yours”.
Dos Santos said being in high school, that money was like millions, however he got two jobs and managed to raise the funds.
“When I eventually purchased the car, I drove home and showed my mom. At that time it was full of dust.”
He said his mom asked if this was what he saved up to buy and he said “yes” as he loved the car.
“Since then I have been meaning to collect more vintage cars and modernise them.”
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