Seeing pre-First World War cars in action is not something that occurs every day. However, the annual Kalk Bay Veteran Run, sponsored by Crossley & Webb, is the perfect occasion for enthusiasts of these golden oldies to come out in numbers!
Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms
Pictures: Supplied
South Africa has an immensely rich automotive history. This history includes the first Mercedes-Benz and BMW factories outside of Germany.
That is also the case with clubs. We have, for example, the oldest Ferrari club in the world (SEFAC), while The Crankhandle Club (founded in 1955) in Wynberg is highly respected globally. This club, Crossley & Webb and early automotive enthusiasts have been consistently supporting the Kalk Bay Veteran Run for a number of years. On Sunday the 5th of February the event took place again and was well supported with enthusiasts travelling down from as far away as Gauteng.
We talked to Derek Stuart-Findlay, the historian of The Crankhandle Club (and current president) about the history of the event as well as this year’s running.
“The first motor club, as we understand it, founded in the southern hemisphere was in Cape Town in 1901. It was called the Automobile Club of South Africa. The first outing they organised as a club was from Green Market Square in Cape Town’s CBD to Kalk Bay.
The reason they went to Kalk Bay was because one of the club’s members had a house in Kalk Bay. About 12 vehicles participated and all the vehicles successfully made the round trip, including two motorcycles. This event is what the Kalk Bay Veteran Run celebrates.
“For practical purposes, the run can’t start from Green Market Square. We’ve changed the starting point to The Crankhandle Club’s clubhouse in Wynberg and drive through Kalk Bay to finish in Simon’s Town. The run is limited to vehicles earlier than 1919. This year’s event included a total of 28 vehicles of which eight were motorcycles. It really does celebrate something that was a very early event in motoring history in South Africa."
What makes The Crankhandle Club unique is that the club owns its clubhouse, which has several automotive artifacts, as well as an archive and library.
“In our clubhouse we have two very old vehicles. One is 1901 Benz and the other is a 1902 Wolseley. These very old vehicles you can drive on a level road, but they are not very good going up a hill. These older vehicles travel down the main road during the event. The increase of technology during these early years was geometric. The faster and more long-legged cars from the later yeas travel through Tokai and before they get to Simon’s Town they go up Red Hill and then back towards Simon’s Town.
“It is a run that caters for a wide range of vehicles of that time. As a result, we get participants from all over the country. It is the only club event of this nature in South Africa. There are national events of this nature, but this is the only club event. We started this specific run in 2011 and it has become quite a significant event.
“The 1901 Benz is really special because it was bought new in Cape Town and has been in Cape Town ever since. It was the oldest participant in the race this year. Some of the interesting motorcycles included a 1904 Durkopp which hasn’t participated before. For the first time we also had a 1913 Hupmobile, several Ford Model T’s and a rather unusual 1907 Ford Model S. I think it is the only one in South Africa.
“What we find is that a number of people have had these vehicles over the years, but most of them were not running. Now this run acts like an incentive for them, as owners know they have a year until the next event to get their vehicles running.
“We had a big contingent coming down for George. We always plan it that the Kalk Bay Veteran Run is the first Sunday in February and the George Old Car Show the second Saturday in February.”
This is an ideal scenario as participants and enthusiasts have two weekends filled with motoring events right here in the Western Cape. Make a note and take a friend or family member with next year to see these golden oldies in action.