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JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng - The Gauteng summer sun baked down on more than 1000 classic and custom cars entered in the Classic Car Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Johannesburg on December 7 2014 to deliver diversity ranging from golden oldies to unique accessories.
American pick-ups from 1948-65, such as the Studebaker 2R6 in our gallery, were prominent features and organisers feel that there are a several reasons for this.
POPULAR CLASSIC PICK-UPS
South Africa had a wealth of these pick-ups, whereas big sedans of the era are beautiful in their art-decor splendour, they are difficult and costly to restore. Pick-ups are simple, basically a cab, a plain steel dashboard with one instrument pod, and a bench seat.
On the exterior, trim items such as bumpers and grilles can be painted rather than chromed. There are no costly side flashings and few badges that need restoring.
MILITARY BEETLE?
One of the rarest gems on the show, at least in my opinion, was a Volkswagen Type 87 Kommandeurwagen, a relatively unknown military version of the Beetle. In essence a Beetle body mounted on an off-road chassis.
Fitted with running boards, under-hood-mounted spare tyre (accompanied by a gas can, a jack, a small tool kit, and a shovel), and widened fenders for its larger-diameter off-road tires, Kommandeurwagens were provided to preferred officers, who could push through virtually any kind of terrain with them.
FORD CORTINAS ON SHOW
Another bit of nostalgia was the display of Ford Cortinas, ranging from Mark 1s all the way through to the Cortina XR6 Interceptor of 1982. The Interceptor was fitted with the ubiquitous Ford “Essex” 3.0L V6 motor and featured modified exhaust headers, camshaft, cylinder heads, high compression pistons, a 3.08 differential and three Weber carburettors. A legend both on track and on the street, it was a rarity from day one – only 250 of these maniacal machines were ever made.
PORSCHE'S LE MANS HERO
Racing aficionados could feast their eyes on a near-exact replica of the Porsche 917, the car that won Porsche its first overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 Can Am variant was capable of a 0-100 km/h time of 2.3 seconds, 02200 km/h in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of up to 390 km/h. The replica on show runs a V10 Audi R8 engine, and built by Bailey Cars in Boksburg.
With cars to cater for just about every taste, it was easy for a petrol head to get lost among the eye candy. If you’re into old cars (and seriously, who isn’t?) and you missed the Classic Car Show, make sure you attend in 2015.
American pick-ups from 1948-65, such as the Studebaker 2R6 in our gallery, were prominent features and organisers feel that there are a several reasons for this.
POPULAR CLASSIC PICK-UPS
South Africa had a wealth of these pick-ups, whereas big sedans of the era are beautiful in their art-decor splendour, they are difficult and costly to restore. Pick-ups are simple, basically a cab, a plain steel dashboard with one instrument pod, and a bench seat.
On the exterior, trim items such as bumpers and grilles can be painted rather than chromed. There are no costly side flashings and few badges that need restoring.
GALLERY: 2014 Jozi Classic Car Show at NEC
MILITARY BEETLE?
One of the rarest gems on the show, at least in my opinion, was a Volkswagen Type 87 Kommandeurwagen, a relatively unknown military version of the Beetle. In essence a Beetle body mounted on an off-road chassis.
Fitted with running boards, under-hood-mounted spare tyre (accompanied by a gas can, a jack, a small tool kit, and a shovel), and widened fenders for its larger-diameter off-road tires, Kommandeurwagens were provided to preferred officers, who could push through virtually any kind of terrain with them.
FORD CORTINAS ON SHOW
Another bit of nostalgia was the display of Ford Cortinas, ranging from Mark 1s all the way through to the Cortina XR6 Interceptor of 1982. The Interceptor was fitted with the ubiquitous Ford “Essex” 3.0L V6 motor and featured modified exhaust headers, camshaft, cylinder heads, high compression pistons, a 3.08 differential and three Weber carburettors. A legend both on track and on the street, it was a rarity from day one – only 250 of these maniacal machines were ever made.
PORSCHE'S LE MANS HERO
Racing aficionados could feast their eyes on a near-exact replica of the Porsche 917, the car that won Porsche its first overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 Can Am variant was capable of a 0-100 km/h time of 2.3 seconds, 02200 km/h in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of up to 390 km/h. The replica on show runs a V10 Audi R8 engine, and built by Bailey Cars in Boksburg.
With cars to cater for just about every taste, it was easy for a petrol head to get lost among the eye candy. If you’re into old cars (and seriously, who isn’t?) and you missed the Classic Car Show, make sure you attend in 2015.
