George Old Car Show a hit
A record 13 000 car enthusiasts from all over the country attended the 22nd George Old Car Show, backed by Oakhurst Insurance Company and other sponsors, last weekend. The organisers received high praise for once again having pulled off a wellorganised show with more than 1 000 items on display.
Geroge Mayor Melvin Naik opened the show and said it is George's flagship event which enjoys national and international recognition. The thrilling roar of engines could be heard on the western side of town especially on Saturday evening when an oval track race organised by the George Old Car Club took place.
British
Alongside the display of 30 Britishmanufactured vehicles representing the main focus of the 2018 show, posh Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds, Jaguars and Bentleys made heads turn. The 50 vehicles that traversed the Southern Cape's scenic mountain passes on the Ford Veteran and Vintage Tour in the week before the show were also on display.
Nostalgia
Many stories of the good times had in VWs were swopped while admirers thronged around some of the oldest VW Beetles in the country, the first and the last ones manufactured in SA, the last VW Golf to be manufactured here, and a futuristic hybrid vehicle that had been displayed at the AutoPavilion, the Volkswagen museum at Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape. AutoPavilion exhibited a number of special Volkswagens in their "Meet the Beetles" display.
Racing cars
More clubs than ever from all over the country proudly displayed their special collections. Among them was the Renault Club, who exhibited a number of the iconic Gordini, famous for its performance on the race tracks of the world.
Tractors
The display of old tractors and farm implements, as well as an interesting exhibition of fully functioning static engines, generated a lot of wistfulness among those who grew up on the farms of yesteryear.
Model cars
Several school rooms filled with more than 5 000 model cars elicited a lot of interest. Bruce Sapsford was awarded first prize for his display of handmade model cars. Another highlight was tyre-tossing in the main arena, much to the delight of the audience sitting under the trees on the embankment next to the main arena.
Passionate sponsors
The George Old Car Show was also the perfect occasion for Oakhurst Insurance to launch their new Classic Car Cover with partners Vantage Insurance Acceptances. "We are passionate about motor vehicles and proud to be a partner with the Southern Cape Old Car Club," said Simon Phage, CEO of Oakhurst Insurance Company, the lead sponsor of the George Old Car Show for the past three years.
"We are specialists in niche insurance and are proud to launch our Classic Car Cover at this year's show. This is a remarkable event and we're thrilled to have been the main sponsor again this year."
Other big sponsors include George Municipality, media sponsor George Herald, SAB, George Rotary, AutoPavilion, Midas, Protea Hotel by
Marriott King George, CMB Consulting Engineering and Clickonit.
Gratitude
Pierre Conradie, chairperson of the organising committee, summed up a muchenjoyed weekend. "It was a magnificent show with something for everybody to enjoy and we would like to thank the sponsors and all other role players for enabling the Southern Cape Old Car Club to present the show." Next year's George Old Car Show will take place on 9 and 10 February 2019.
For more information and photos, see the Facebook page of the George Old Car Show 2018 and the SCOCC website at www. scocc.co.za