The 2026 George Old Car Show celebrated 100 years of Mercedes-Benz with rare pioneers, priceless classics and a pristine W123 230E that will be given away on 21 March that had thousands of enthusiasts flocking to the Southern Cape.
The George Old Car Show took place on 14 February 2026, this year honouring Stuttgart’s finest, with not only an immaculate 230e up for grabs(you can read about that later), but the ‘Pioneers of Motoring’ themed event once again attracting the best examples of Mercs and classics that SA has to offer. Held annually under the auspices of the Southern Cape Old Car Club (SCOCC), Mercedes fans were treated to quite the spectacle of early-year examples – including replicas of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen and 1901 Benz Ideal, a 1913 Benz 8/20 PS Tourenwagen, a 1935 Mercedes-Benz W23 130H, a 1938 Mercedes-Benz W142 Type 320 and a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster.
Visitors to the 29th iteration of this iconic classic car show, profiling the best of the classic best the land has to offer, were not disappointed, with the three-pointed star clearly being the landmark tenant. And rightly so, June 1926 saw the official birth of the marque we know so well today, created by means of a merger between Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie, marking the establishment of Daimler-Benz AG – making this year a century of celebration for the German marque.
And it wasn’t just the century of the birth of the German marque, it’s also the 140th anniversary of the invention of the horseless motor carriage by Carl Benz in 1886, alongside 50 years of the the W123 series, the very car up for grabs courtesy of MUA Insurance.
With the original stickers still on the inside of the boot lid sill and the fuel tank, many a visitor to the George Old Car Show (GOCS) which took place earlier this year on Valentines Day, could not believe the condition of the pristine W123 230e, which via lucky draw is still up for grabs to one lucky reader.
“It’s unbelievable to see all the original T-plate numbers still visible on all the glass of this car,” says CEO of MUA Insurance, Vajra Singh. “The provenance of this car is clearly evident through these original sandblasted numbers on every window, showing the rare originality of this four-decade old beauty”.
George was indeed set abuzz with the sounds of enthusiasts and classics alike, with organisers quoting in excess of 9 000 petrolheads flooding through the gates of the Eden Technical High School on the day – leaving some wondering if perhaps future plans should suggest this as a two- versus one-day event. The GOCS also commemorated the 20th Vet Tour, which departed from Prince Albert on Friday, 13 February and, once safely landed in George, included a special display to complement the array of vehicles on display. Organised by Philip Kuschke, the Tour was reserved for vehicles manufactured without front brakes, and this year the Benz Patent-Motorwagen lead the lineup of immaculate old-timers on the route from Prince Albert to George.
“Not only is it 140 years since the first motor vehicle was patented, but also a century since Mercedes-Benz joined the fray. Our Old Car Show honoured this remarkable history with a rare collection of metal on display,” says Southern Cape Old Car Club (SCOCC) chairman and founder of Scribs BENZeum, Waldo Scribante. “The Show represents a meeting place, a focal point for all iconic marques and those who share the passion for old and classic vehicles, and we believe the 2026 rendition of the show was a memorable and rewarding experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.”
“Whether exhibitor, stallholder or funder, everyone played their part. Over 2 000 people actively formed part of the show, including vendors at ‘snuffelstalletjies’, food and motor-related stalls. They tell their friends and families that George and surrounds is the best place for a holiday,” mentions head show organiser Alewijn Dippenaar.
Dippenaar also paid tribute to everyone willing to collect, restore and display something from the past. “By doing that, they make accessible a timeframe and a part of history that most people won’t be able to experience. When looking back at the 2026 George Old Car Show, its importance in the context of the automative industry is clear. Apart from their production years, cars can be classified into three categories, Before my time, In my time, and Living the now”.
The W123 Giveaway – sponsored by the SCOCC and MUA Insurance
The next local celebratory chapter of the three-pointed star is already underway, with an event planned at the Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West on March 21. One lucky winner will get to drive off with the W123 230E that is up for grabs, which has been sponsored by the SCOCC and MUA Insurance. With an authentic mileage of under 125 000km, you still have a chance to get your name into the lucky draw by scanning the QR code below or visiting www.mua.co.za.
“We invite every owner of a W123 Mercedes-Benz, whether a club member or not, to attend the event at Lourensford, as we would like to gather as many W123s as possible together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this legendary model,” mentions Scribante.
“Handing over the keys to this remarkable specimen will not be easy,” concludes Singh. “We’ve spent many a mile behind the wheel, with memories of a bygone era of motoring flashing through. This is more a time capsule we’re giving away than an automobile, and we encourage readers to get their name into the draw, especially considering that all proceeds will be donated to charitable causes”.
Even TopGear SA got behind the wheel of the W123, a series of memorable flashbacks for Publishing Editor Avon Middleton, who looks back fondly on many childhood memories in the back seat of a W123 230E. View the video here:
QR Code for Last Minute Entry into the Draw to WIN the W123, or you can visit the link to enter: https://mua.co.za/george-old-car-show-2026/
