TIME FOR YOU TO FLASH YOUR CLASS AND STYLE

Modern-day Amatola the largest event on classic motoring calendar

Pull off those dust covers and get the car polish out before joining more than 100 others in the Amatola Classic Car Run

More than 100 classic cars from around the Border region are expected to gather in East London for the 2018 Amatola Classic Car Run to be held on Sunday, November 18.

Although the run, from Beacon Bay to Kei Road, has taken place on the last Sunday of November for the past 23 years, the 2018 event will be held a week earlier, due to other motoring events happening on the last Sunday of the month.

“Anyone with an old, classic or exotic vehicle is welcome to attend, and the general public is invited to view the cars and see them off at 10am on the day,” says organiser Joyce Hattingh.

“Of the cars visitors can see on the day are a Rolls Royce 1956 Silver Cloud owned by Peter Bolze from Queenstown and a 1951 Mercedes-Benz 170Da owned by a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club.”

This modern-day “Amatola” is the largest event on the classic motoring calendar, growing year by year and including entries from as far afield as Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), King William’s Town and Komani (formerly Queenstown).

“The popular social event was founded in 1991 by three motoring enthusiasts – Frikkie Viljoen, John Small and Clive Morris – to commemorate the gruelling Amatola Rallies of the 1950s,” explains Hattingh.

The rally is hosted by the Amatola Amalgamated Car Clubs, made up of several smaller clubs including the Mercedes-Benz Club, Border Vintage Car Club, Border Street Rod and V8 Club, MG Club, Triumph Club and Porsche Club.

“Sunday’s route will follow the N6 from Beacon Bay before turning onto the R63 to Kei Road, where lunch will be at the Kei Road Sports Club, hosted by the farming community.”

The pub will be open to cater for the thirsty and there will be a lucky draw for participants.

Booking for the R80 lunch is essential, and can be done at Tiger Wheel and Tyre, in Devereux Avenue, East London.

As usual, the run will kick off with coffee and doughnuts at The Hub in Beacon Bay.

Registration is R30 a car, which includes indemnity and a numbered commemorative plaque.

Registration can be done from now until 8am on the day. For group or individual bookings, contact Hattingh on 084-7986248 or 043-741-2577. –

Picture: DON BRYCE GRAND LADY: Komani participants Sharon and Phil Hammond in their magnificent Austin Healey, which has taken part in every single Amatola Classic Car Run since its inception.

Picture: ALAN EASON MAGNIFICENT MACHINES: Tom van de Vyver, right, with his vintage 1935 Armstrong Siddeley, at last year’s Amatola Classic Car Run. Event is on November 18.