A taste for classic cars
We don’t have a shortage of vintage and classic cars in Gauteng, and every few months the various groups of owners get together to show off what they have sitting in the garage. From American Muscle Clubs to Austin Heely devotees, there doesn’t seem to be an end to the cars which South Africans collect. However, over the weekend, a group of rather particular collectors joined forces at the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Sandton to show off their prized possessions.
The Mercedes-Benz showroom in Sandton is astonishing, to say the least, and a rather broad selection of cars as old as 30 and even 40 years old cars made the modern facility feel like a time capsule. Propelling my reality to one which I could only imagine my grandfather experienced way back when. The showroom was lined with cars like the 280 SE 3.5 and W221 S-Class; even the classic W170 S showed up and replicated the luxury standards of the 1950s.
Most of the display was featured in the workshop, underneath the dealership. I can only imagine that this has something to do with particular fluids finding their way onto the floor, a reputation oftentimes associated with older cars. Every vehicle was immaculate. It was especially evident just what a significant role these cars played in the lives of their respective owners. Some were used as the daily runabout for decades whilst others were stripped out and ready to race. Seeing such a passion and appreciation for looking after one’s car was refreshing.
The Mercedes-Benz Concours was a niche event where classic Mercedes owners brushed off the dust and broke out the polish to show off to a group of like-minded individuals just what the good old days were really like for them.
