The Pretoria Old Motor Club has celebrated another triumphant Cars in the Park event at Zwartkops Raceway, basking in glorious weather at the weekend. Marking its 42nd edition, South Africa’s largest one-day car show ran smoothly, according to chief organiser Frik Kraamwinkel.
The club issued 2 500 special entrance badges to participating car owners, yet classic cars continued to stream in through the gates of the venue, located southwest of Pretoria.
This year's show spotlighted pre-World War II cars, featuring vehicles from a 1908 Buick to models from the early 1940s. This era focus acknowledged the hiatus in car production during the war years, when factories pivoted to manufacturing armaments.
A highlight of the event was the 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, owned by Graham Blackbeard, which has been converted to electric power by Gerald Burrell. "It was a two-year project," explained Burrell.
"For purists concerned about the car's originality, the original petrol engine, needing extensive rebuild, remains with the owner. The electric conversion is fully reversible, with only two small extra holes drilled into the chassis."
Alongside the Phantom II, Bob Bouwmeesters displayed a splendid 1930s Rolls-Royce 20-25 model tourer in ‘African’ white.
Other pre-war classics included Packard, Buick, Chevrolet, a range of Ford models, Willys, Triumph, and a charming 1925 Citroen B12 Torpedo. The attention to detail was evident, with one Datsun owner using a camshaft as a bonnet prop to showcase a meticulously detailed engine.
The 2024 show saw a significant presence of 1970s Datsuns and Nissans, reflecting the enduring popularity of these models in Pretoria since the late 1960s. The Triumph Club, showcasing models from the 1920s to the 1970s, and the Jeep and Unimog clubs, with their robust off-roaders, also made impressive displays.
Ford Escorts from the late 1960s and classic American cars, notably celebrating the Ford Mustang’s 60th birthday, were featured prominently. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, marking its 70th anniversary, also attracted attention, with race-trim versions displayed by Zwartkops owner Peter du Toit.
Classic Volkswagens were showcased, including early Beetles, Kombis, and sporty Karmann Ghia models. Chrysler’s first car, and the famous Valiant models, celebrated their history, with notable Barracuda versions from the late 1960s on display.
DKW, a brand that disappeared in the mid-1960s, made a notable comeback with an array of models, including an early pre-war DKW with a fabric body, displayed in the Special Invites section.
An unusual attraction was a 1909 Reliable Dayton replica, crafted by Jurjen Kamstra using original photographs and specialised techniques.
A new feature this year was the Rally Stage for classic rally cars, organised on the Zwartkops kart circuit by renowned rally driver Ben van der Westhuizen, adding dynamic action to the event.
“We are thrilled with this year’s event,” says Kraamwinkel. “A heartfelt thank you to all the clubs, stallholders, car owners, and the public for their enthusiastic participation. Our team at Pretoria Old Motor Club and The Lions deserve special thanks for their immense support in managing the event.”
Colin Windell
proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
