Ever heard of a Nordenfelt? Or an EMF? Nope? Okay, how about a Ford Model T? That’ll surely resonate with most petrolheads who know something about the early evolution of our four-wheeled passion...
Words and pictures: Graeme Hurst
If you’d been out and about on Cape Town’s gorgeous deep south coast last Sunday you’d have seen plenty of Model T’s and at least two super-rare –we’re talking like the-only-remaining-example rare – makes, along with other models from the dawn of motoring taking part in this year’s Kalk Bay Run.
This annual drive celebrating veteran cars and motorcycles (those built before 1919) is hosted by the city’s Crankhandle Club and some 23 cars and three two-wheeled machines took part along a route stretching from the club’s HQ in Wynberg to Simon’s Town’s Jubilee Square, with a stop in Kalk Bay.
Now in its 14th year, the event celebrates the inaugural run of the Automobile Club of South Africa from Greenmarket Square to Kalk Bay all the way back in 1901. For practical reasons the retrospective run finishes in Simon’s Town after a 56km route via Red Hill and Smitswinkel Bay – although a few of the oldest cars, such as the 1901 Benz Ideal, take a more direct 25km route along the south peninsula’s main road.
The Benz was the oldest car on the run and is indeed the oldest licensed ‘on the road’ four-wheeled car in the country, having been delivered new to its first owner who resided at Timour Hall in Wynberg – the venue for the city’s annual Classic Car and Bike Show which took place just two weeks ago.
And if you’re wondering what that owner got to brag about back then don’t get too excited: with just one cylinder and 4.5Hp it wouldn’t exactly have laid down much rubber or given the horse and carriage he likely traded in much to worry about. Still it has a 3-speed gearbox and its performance was massively impressive compared to the original 1.5Hp Benz Velo that preceded it – the model which debuted as the world’s first motor car back in 1886!
Joining the Benz (which is owned by the University of Cape Town but in the care of the Crankhandle Club) was the club’s own 1903 Wolseley. Just two years apart from the Benz, it has a heady 5Hp on offer which is good for 25 km/h!
Offering decidedly more grunt just four years on was Nick Middelmann’s 1907 Nordenfelt 30-35. The only remaining car by French company Nordenfelt (which also pioneered submarines and torpedoes amongst other military things) it boasts a 5.8-litre engine!
Also taking part as a ‘last remainer’ was Ryan Walker’s 1912 Rover Colonial which has been a well-known competitor on the veteran scene ever since it was discovered in Tarkastad back in the late 1940s and subsequently restored. It’s the only one left in the world.
And adding to the rarity stakes – being the third oldest of the model – was John Ryall’s 2.4-litre 1911 Sunbeam. Complete with a serpent-shaped air horn, it spent most of its life in Australia and is entirely original, having never been restored while Rob Middlemann’s EMF 30 (an American make) was another popular sight, the car having been owned by the club’s founder Angus Kinnes. With their gleaming brightwork, these magnificent machines might be obscure in name but they are at the heart of the ‘brass era’ – as the veteran genre is colloquially known in car collecting circles.
Arguably more recognisable when it came to automotive brands, was a 1915 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost which owner Mike Watson restored himself, creating a new body for the car in the process – one of five the car’s had during its colourful 109-year life: “It was originally commandeered by the military in WW1 before finding its way to Mombasa where it was accidentally dropped into the harbour while being unloaded. Its then owner re-bodied it for the third time,” explained Mike who’s owned it for the last 25 years.
But it was the iconic Ford Model T’s that arguably stole the show, with many coming from upcountry to kick off a week of touring as they make their way to the George Old Car Show this coming weekend as part of the Rondomtalie Toer.
Standouts included Riaan van Niekerk’s 1915 ‘Depot Hack’ which was built up from a chassis in 2007 for the Model T’s centenary run, with the previous owner swapping a Vaal Japie tractor for the oak body made by a furniture maker. Riaan and his 81-year-old father drove the car from George for the run, no mean feat on seats that rival a church pew for comfort!
Also getting attention was Gerhard Breytenbach’s red 1910 Model T – one of two the life-long T fan owns up in Polokwane. Like so many veteran cars, his red T has enjoyed a lot of use and attention to keep it rolling during its 100+ years, which made determining its exact year a challenge. “The body is from 1909 and the engine is 1910 with a lot of other parts from 1911 so we decided it’s a 1910 model.” It was originally supplied in Canada – hence the left-hand-drive configuration - but is now used for tours such as this. “I have another black one which I’ve had for ten years and which I drive to work and to the gym,” explains Gerhard who is clearly a T die-hard. “I fell in love with Model Ts when I was five years old and hope to drive mine until the day I die.”
Don’t miss the line-up of Ford Model Ts and other amazing cars at this weekend’s George Old Car Show. See: https://scocc.co.za/