THE Old Wheelers Club will celebrate its 40th anniversary in October.
The club was born out of a need to create a safe social gathering for lovers of classic vehicles.
In June 1986, 26 vintage enthusiasts met to encourage the ownership, use, restoration, and preservation of motor vehicles older than 25 years.
Today, that dream lives on at the club’s premises, where several old cars, historic mechanics’ tools, fuel pumps, and other automotive relics are on display for new generations to appreciate.
The club held its winter ‘bonnets up’ event last weekend, allowing owners to park and showcase their vehicles to visitors.
Chairperson Rainer Rusch says anyone with a vehicle or motorbike older than 25 years is welcome to display it during October’s celebrations.
He says the sight of vintage cars stirs precious memories.
“My father owned one like that”. Rusch says the club now qualifies for an ‘old-timer’ licence for Namibia, highlighting a significant milestone for the club.
The licence means vehicles older than 40 years are exempted from certain regulations and licence fees, provided they are registered with the Old Wheelers Club.
“This time around, we plan to have around 100 classic vehicles on the premises, with two classic vehicles up for auction on the day.
A VW Beetle and a Ford Anglia are both still in running condition,” Rusch says.
The definition of a classic or vintage car depends on the year of manufacture.
Classics are generally 20 to 45 years old, regardless of mileage, while vintage cars were built between 1919 and 1930. Sonja Erasmus, the owner of a 1969 six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz 230, bought her car to give it new life.
“I bought it for my 50th birthday. I spent a lot of time getting a whole bunch of things fixed,” she says.
The car is in such good condition that she can comfortably drive to Cape Town and back.
The interior also needed attention, and sitting on the back seat now feels like relaxing on a lounge sofa, she says.
Erasmus says driving an old car brings a unique sense of nostalgia and comfort.
Her love for this specific vehicle began in her youth, and she eventually bought it from her late uncle.
The Mercedes represents a 30-year dream turned into reality.Another enthusiast showcasing his vehicle was Dirk Jansen van Rensburg, the owner of a rare 1989 300 CE three-litre straight-six coupé (W124), also known as the C124.
Apart from being 37 years old and in mint condition, this German-built model is one of only a handful of right-hand drive versions produced for the local and international markets. The model is renowned for its iconic pillarless profile and smooth inline-six engine.
Jansen van Rensburg says his Mercedes is exceptionally quiet on the road, even outperforming his more modern vehicle.
“They were absolutely glorious cars for their time, and in 1989 they already had electric pre-adjusted seats, climate control, and an electric sunroof,” he says, adding that the technology has lasted incredibly well.
Sourcing spare parts and maintaining the vehicle is not an issue, as parts remain readily available, even when sourced overseas.
Despite its age, the car is referred to as a ‘young-timer’. Jansen van Rensburg says driving it draws plenty of attention, with people frequently sharing their own nostalgic road stories.
He says the club offers a strong sense of brotherhood among enthusiasts, particularly within the dedicated group of Mercedes-Benz owners.
The club’s museum is also home to a rare Adenauer Mercedes-Benz, owned by Rolf Redecker.
The three-litre six-cylinder model was famously used by former German chancellor Konrad Adenauer in his official fleet.
The black vehicle is complemented by classic chrome trimmings and a soft leather interior.
