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Cape classics: Born to be styled

What a weekend (January 18 2014) it was for bike and car enthusiasts in the Western Cape as the International Police Association hosted its 14th Classic Car and Bike Show at Timour Hall Villa in Plumstead.

Among other smaller organisations the main charity beneficiary for the 2014 show was the Lucky Lucy Foundation.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2014 Cape Classic car and bike show

On January 29, the vintage and veteran car movement as well as bike fraternities gathered to strut their stuff. The IPA hosted more than 240 vehicles on the Saturday and 390 on the Sunday, representing about 40 clubs and 25 individuals and businesses.

DAY 1 – HOT RODS AND WHEELS

Day 1 consisted of custom vehicles, street rods and race cars as seen in the glory days of various venues such as Killarney, Kyalami and Swartkops. VW and Toyota clubs were strongly represented and would occasionally start up a car to attract spectators their way.

Two-wheeler followers were not disappointed with customised “one-off” cafe racers looking as good as those that emanate from Europe. We obviously still have a happy band of aficionados able to create great looking customised wheels and, more importantly, actually build them!

Much in evidence were the hot-rod followers, Chevrolet, Ford and was that a real New York Checker taxi on display in its yellow livery?

Fifties-style Chev and Ford trucks in bright hues, boasting lusty big-block V8's with chromed and satin finishes, seemed to be everywhere.

MINIS ON SHOW

At the other end of the scale it was great to see the Mini Club, a brand that should be particularly proud of its Dakar 2014 1-2-3 victory in South America the same weekend.

A stationary engine corner rattled away showing just how versatile they could be. The Heritage Club, a band of enthusiasts with strong military connotations of a bygone era, displayed a wartime BMW motorcycle combination.

The toy fair proved a blessing to father sand sons alike, “be sure to keep the box these models came with” - sound advice I heard more than once from the model-car sellers.

DAY 2 – VINTAGE MODELS

Day 2 brought out old car enthusiasts by the score. Where else can you see so many classic and thoroughbred marques but right here in the Western Cape each January?

Early Fords, MGs, Packards, Studebakers, Rolls-Royce, Rileys, Austins, Morgans and Citroens of every description, along with Big Healeys to name just a few, nestled under the shade of the beautiful grounds of the Cape Town Police Club.

Those looking for that elusive spare part would have had a fine time foraging at the auto jumble stalls alongside the main event. A great source of reading material, with mountains of car magazines, handbooks and manuals were to be found at giveaway prices.

This is a strong component of any motor show of this nature; rubbing shoulders with like-minded enthusiasts, swopping ideas – and there’s always someone who knows someone who might just have the part you need to complete a tricky restoration.

STAR OF THE SHOW

It’s easy to deduce a favourite at an event such as this and judging by the number of people eager to check out the latest Morgan three-wheeler, albeit with a 1800cc Harley-Davidson motor poking out of the front, may well have been my number one choice; perhaps the 1954 Panhard Dyna may have even eclipsed the Moggie.

This rare French-built car with its twin-cylinder, air-cooled engine with genuine patina to its age and condition would have been the one vehicle I would gladly have drove home from the show.

The delightful BSA Scout front-wheel drive four-wheeler would have been my third choice.

The IPA is a non-profit organisation and the event was established by it as a fund-raiser back in 2000 and, a spokesman said, "was excited to be celebrating 15 years in 2015".
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