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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - An impressive collection of 72 classic and vintage vehicles delighted visitors to Graaff-Reinet’s first Collections Fair, which was held at the Botanics Sports Grounds recently under the auspices of the local Reformed Church.
The Collections Fair was the brainchild of well-known Graaff-Reinetter Carol-ann van Jaarsveld, inspired by her husband Hannes’s large collection of handcrafted knives from around the world. Hannes’s other “collection passion” is classic cars, of which he has “quite a few”.
His oldest vehicles are a 1928 Ford Model A roadster and a 1928 Ford Model A Phaeton.
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When asked for his favourite amongst his collection, he named two: a 1931 Buick 50 that is an original, not a restored model, and a 1940 Buick Model 41C convertible.
Van Jaarsveld and fellow enthusiast Cornie Jansen approached local aficionados Brian Jones and Graham Botha, and together the men contacted car clubs in the Eastern Cape, Southern Cape and Bloemfontein, as well as local enthusiasts.
The event was publicised on the internet, and the initial expectation of about 50 vehicles was soon exceeded.
As well as a number of local participants, several owners travelled many kilometres to showcase their vehicles, including a Model T Ford from George, and a 1957 Chev Corvette from Johannesburg.
At the event, the cars were lined up in rows on the rugby field, and attracted a great deal of interest from both visitors to the main event and those particularly interested in classic cars.
A box was available for visitors to nominate their favourite car, and the Spectators’ Choice award went to Clive Barnard, who had driven his Chev Corvette all the way from Johannesburg to take part.
The oldest car on show was a 1916 Chevrolet Tourer belonging to Barney Marais of Middelburg, and this car was the judges’ winner for the day.
Both winners received cash prizes. All entrants received a certificate and a goody bag, thanks to Graaff-Reinet business sponsors Autozone, Supa Quick, Midas, Botha’s Garage, Mica and Montego.
The resounding success of the combined event, which attracted close to 800 visitors, has left no doubt in the committee’s minds that they will soon need to start planning for an even bigger and better event for 2018.
The car collection may well need the whole rugby field next year!
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