They don’t make them like that any more

Not only does he own a few, but he also sells them in the capital.

“I get bored very quickly and had to do something different. I love old cars, I own a few, and I am a member of the Old Wheelers club in Windhoek,” he says.

Senekal owns a 220S Mercedes and a Rolls Royce, among other vintage cars.

Not all vintage cars are worth a lot, as many factors are involved, he says.

He warns would-be “;project hobbyists”; that restoring an old car is like throwing money into a bottomless well.

Getting spares for the car, trying to restore the original upholstery and spray painting it in its original colour require a fat wallet, he says.

The real work starts when trying to find or even make the spare parts needed to complete the project, he says.

“People often spend more money to restore the car than it was or is actually worth, but many people do that to preserve and keep it for the next generation,” Senekal says.

Referring to his Rolls Royce he says he has no idea how much he spent to keep the car in its original state, but it is all about ensuring the next generation would still see and value these cars.

It is all about nostalgia, he says.

Some vintage cars in Namibia have recorded histories.

This creates a platform for vintage lovers to meet frequently and share these stories.

Senekal says his clients are mostly Australian, mainly because they are used to right-hand steering and love old cars.

The fact that Namibia is dry most of the year, which prevents rust, makes the country an ideal destination for international vintage car dealers as they can still buy cars with no or little rust, Senekal says.

Top Revs had the privilege of viewing Senekal”;s fully restored Mercedes 220S, which has been in the family for the past 45 years and is still in mint condition.

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