Car and bike lovers’ paradise opens in Margate

POURING rain didn’t deter the many car and motorbike enthusiasts who flocked to the opening of Classic Cars and Motorcycles Margate this week.

This new ‘car lovers’ paradise’ is the brainchild of shareholders Con Engelbrecht, Ken Sink and Rod Kinsey, assisted by Ken’s wife, Barbara. They are all complete petrol heads and are passionate about classic cars, motorbikes and all things mechanical. The three owners also all have motor industry backgrounds – in his youth, Rod raced cars – and share a wealth of technical knowledge.

At the opening, the new showroom was packed to capacity and the classic car and motorbike display was greatly admired. Stealing much of the limelight was the awe-inspiring 2008 Koenigsegg CCXR, one of only three of this striking sports car to be found in South Africa. Among the fastest cars in the world, this lean, mean machine is capable of a speed of 407km an hour. It comes with a a hefty price tag – a cool R9-million – and is on sale at the new showroom.

Porsche lovers were well catered for with some eye-catching models from this aristocratic marque gracing the showroom floor. Also earning their share of attention were the pretty little Lotus Elan and zippy Lotus 7. Rod is a huge Lotus fan and has even used the Lotus team colours of yellow and green as a colour scheme for the new showroom. Reflecting Ken’s greatest passion was the fine display of classic motorbikes, including a classic Vespa scooter.

The new showroom will offer an assortment of mainly classic cars although no one would object if a vintage or veteran model found its way onto the showroom floor. In fact, there is already a 53-year-old Riley 1,5, in need of a little TLC, among the automotive treasures for sale there. Although there will be mint-condition models available as investments, car lovers who enjoy getting their hands dirty will also be able to acquire ‘projects’ – reasonably-priced cars in need of restoration.

Rod, Con and Ken see the new showroom as far more than a place to sell cars. It will be a meeting place for car and bike lovers, a bit of a motoring museum and a source of plenty of technical and other advice for anyone wishing to buy, maintain, repair or restore pre-loved classic cars and motorcycles.

Pop in any time and visit them.