NEWSLETTER - Franschhoek Motor Museum

NEWSLETTER
April 2011
SA's Beetle turns 60
It's not too often that a car is born that becomes so popular and reliable that even 60 years after it
first saw the light of day in South Africa you will likely pass one on the way to work. Volkswagen's
immortal Beetle has to be the most modified car in history with many a humble Bug having
relinquished its distinctive body for some strange fibreglass recreation, or even going commando
with only a roll cage to cover essentials. Then to top it all, over time the Bug's little four-pot air-cooled
engine has been modified in so many ways to such an extent that it could almost hold its own against
its more noble cousin from Stuttgart. Yet in standard form they just seem to keep on going and going
and going… This must rank as one of the greats in South African motoring history. WH
Celebrating Mercedes-Benz 125 years
It was on 29 January 1886 that Carl Benz filed an application to patent his three-wheeled
motor car and this date is now considered to be the official 'birth day' of the motor car. FMM is
currently celebrating a centenary-and-a-quarter of three-pointed stars, which is an
astronomical achievement in any industry. FMM is currently devoting Hall 2 to a 20-car
display of some of the company's finest vehicles. Amongst the magnificent collection at the
one end of the hall are a 1929 WO6 S-Type, two 540K Cabriolets, a 130H that represents
what is perhaps the smallest-ever saloon manufactured by Mercedes, two 300SLs -a classic
Gullwing and a Roadster -and a 1958 220S that must be one of the finest examples of a
Ponton to be found today.
At the other end of the hall there can be found a 1964 230S Fintail, a 1971 280SE 3,5
Convertible thought to have once been owned by The Who's Keith Moon, and the 380SEL and
280TE that were respectively the personal transport of Dr Anton and Mrs Rupert and which
are still in original condition. Power freaks will be blown away by the menacing black and rare
(one of only two surviving?) V12 Brabus E-Class and the 'his and hers' 2003 AMG DTMs, a
coupé and a convertible.
FMM's Mercedes-Benz 125 year celebration display is on show until October 2011 MM
Sent Packarding
In the early part of the 20th century,
America boasted some very fine
automobiles, amongst which Packard
was a leading manufacturer. Currently
on view in FMM's Hall 1 is a superb
example of a 1934 Super 8, a twotone, pin-striped two-door coupé built
on a 147-inch (3 734 mm) wheelbase
that was the common platform for a
number of body styles at the time.
The 384,8 cubic inch (6,3-litre) sidevalve engine was derived by mating a
two-, a four- and another two-cylinder
in-line to create a straight-eight, which was a most unusual engineering approach. As a
result, the engine has an odd firing order but is nevertheless smooth in operation.
The majestic radiator mascot provides a stylish sighting line, and once used to the central
accelerator pedal and the rather grabby all-mechanical drum brakes, the Packard is a strong
performer with more torque than Jay Leno. Packard was the first with an H-pattern gearshift,
and the long lever slipped neatly into position with the help of a surprisingly easy clutch.
From its lofty seating position, the Packard provides a real 'king of the road' experience. A
stylish four-seater, the Super 8 impressed me greatly with its presence and performance.
MM
FMM's Back Seat Drivers
the people behind the
scenes
Exhaust blips
Remember that many of the entrants in this
year's Streetrod Nationals taking place at
the Bellville High School, Cape Town on
Slick organisations often have someone on the staff Easter Saturday will be cruising to a
who crucially gets involved with many aspects of the gathering at the FMM on Monday 25th. MM
business yet to many outsiders is simply a name on the Book Now for:
e-mails and a voice on the 'phone. At FMM, the 'Jill of
all trades' is Karin Ras, the museum's ever-helpful T h e F r a n s c h h o e k L i o n s
secretary, who apart from office duties helps with Treasure Hunt
curator Wayne Harley's workload and supervises the Tickets are limited and will be handled on a
museum's reception and cleaners. Apart from these first come first served basis. Entry cut-off
duties, the ever-helpful Karin is the L'Ormarins estate's date is the 20th of May so book early.
ISO coordinator. Her favourite cars are the both Apply for an application form right now
Mercedes -the AMG DTM CLK and the 540K Cabriolet. by sending an e-mail to Lodine Maske @
MM
[email protected] or Linda Coltart @
[email protected]. The cost of R1 200 per
car (R300 per person) and all proceeds
will go to Franschhoek Lions Projects.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Following the introduction of the
Consumer Protection Act on April 1, if
you no longer wish to receive this
newsletter please activate the
appropriate button at the beginning of
this mailer. If you experience problems
exercising this option, kindly e-mail us
at [email protected] Thank you. – WH