The Vryheid Vintage Car Club

Hosting the 8th International Vintage Bentley Tour in Vryheid - 10 October 2015.

We were certainly very privileged when a request was made to our secretary, Harry Heyns, by the treasurer and route
co-ordintator of the Bentley Touring Group, Dave Alexander, to host a light luncheon. The VVCC was delighted with a unanimous approval by all members.

The Tour Group started off from Durban on October 5 and would be on tour for possibly one month touring South Africa.

A brief touring map would incompass the following towns, namely: Mkuzi - Pongola - Manzini - Piet Retief - Vryheid - Drakensberg - Bleomfontein - Kimberley - Knysna - George - Hermanus - ending in Cape Town. A distance of plus minus
3,900 km.

The participants were from all over the world and made up as follows varying from year of manufacture 1922 - 1934:
UK - 8 vehicles, Australia - 2 vehicles, South Africa - 6 vehicles, USA - 1 vehicle, Ireland - 1 vehicle.

The morning of the 10th of October dawned with a perfect sunny day. Our club was well prepared and supported by no less than 20 vintage and classic cars and members.

Our club clearly lends itself to this type of occasion.

Well the beat of the first Bentleys could be heard as they started arriving.

What an experience and sight to see all 18 Bentleys driving in.

Our chairman, Cassie Lourens, welcomed the Touring Group and luncheon and refreshments enjoyed by all.

Our guests, I believe, certainly enjoyed the short pitstop of two and a half hours. One can imagine the interaction that followed.

Numerous photos were taken by Colin and Renay and thanks to both of them.

Time was again calling and the Bentley Group was on their way to Champagne Castle in the Drakensberg.

Our thanks to Dave and his Bentley Touring Group for the short stopover with our club in Vryheid.

Submitted by Des Lemmon-Warde

Outing - 24 September 2015 - Fondly known as the "Chicken Run" Outing

In the month of September, Heritage Day, the Chicken Run outing was hosted by Kowie and Carol at the Farm Valley View.

This outing has become very popular and was well supported with no less than 17 members and their partners.

Members met at the clubhouse on a beautiful sunny day and departed at 11h00 in convoy with Classic and Vintage cars. Shortly out of town we were stopped at a SA Police roadblock. Great interest was expressed around the cars and drivers licenses were asked for.

After a short delay the group proceeded to the farm Valley View. There we were met by our hosts Kowie and Carol where after snacks and refreshments were made available.

Later during the day we all visited Kowie's workshop to see his latest restoration, a 1947 Jaguar, which I believe is a great restoration project and a great asset to Kowie's Classic and Vintage car collection.

The chicken braai was started and once again Kowie and Carol did us proud with an open home, a most enjoyable braai, salads and of course desert. What a wonderful day, good weather and great cameraderie. I believe it was another well shared day and successfull "Chicken Run" Our thanks to Colin for taking the photos and to Trevor and his Braai team. Well done, Kowie and Carol!

Submitted by Des Lemmon-Warde

Garage Safari Outing - 15 August 2015

Lancaster Hill and Harry's Workshops

In the month of August, the garage safari was hosted by Des, Gordon and Bruce at the Workshops on Lancaster Hill, followed by a further tour of Harry's workshops at Glenbar and his private home. The event was well supported by 13 club members, cars and friends on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Various comments were passed like "Yes, I used to sell petrol at 2/6 shilllings for a gallon of petrol!", "My dad drove one of those Dodge pickups on his farm!" and "Those are the same carburetters I have in my MG!" Various stages of rebuild were seen showing our currrent restoration projects.

After visiting for about one and a half hours and enjoying snacks and refreshments, it was time for the Safari group to travel and visit Harry's facilities. Harry went to great detail on the current restoration of his Model T Ford, bearing in mind that this Model T Ford was acquired completely stripped and in the form of various boxes and loose items. Great interest was shown on the rebuild of the rear and front axle assembly with Harry explaining in great detail the mechanics of the various items. We all know Harry's restoration standards where he goes that extra mile to achieve the originality and standard of the Model T Ford rebuild. We all look forward to the day the restoration is completed!

Further refreshments were the order of the day and again time was calling and the group proceeded to the clubhouse for a bring and braai.

Our thanks to Harvie and his ladies who had all the tables set out and making refreshments available. It was a most enjoyable evening.
I believe another well spent afternoon in fellowship in the realms of "Garage Safari".
Submitted by Des Lemmon-Warde

Uitstappie Piet Retief toe - 1 - 3 Augustus 2015

Die Hoeka Toeka Motorskou - Piet Retief.
Nog 'n uitstappie wat goed ondersteun is deur die lede van die VVCC. Altesame 17 lede en hul gesinne het met 15 veteraan en klassieke voertuie Piet Retief toe gery. Die motors het elkeen soontoe en terug gereis sonder enige probleme.
Die weer was 'n perfekte wintersdag en die skou is goed ondersteun deur die publiek in Piet Retief en omliggende gebiede. Die motorskou het op die rugbyvelde in die dorp plaasgevind en wat 'n ideale plek is om so 'n skou aan te bied! Daar was 'n hele paar motorhandelaars wat hul reekse uitgestal het asook verskeie kosstalletjies om van te kies en keur.
Credit must be given to the young Hoeka Toeka Car Club for the great effort in hosting this event and one must acknowledge the stalwarts of the club namely Kobus Botha, Paul Mouton and Japie Van Vuuren and their display of many vintage and classic cars. The support of the sponsors for various prizes was outstanding with a number of our members taking home some wonderful items.
This year our members spent Friday and Saturday evening at the newly established B&B of Kobus and Riekie, followed by an excellent braai and fellowship.
Sunday morning we were invited to Kobus's home for a hearty breakfast and final farewell.
Baie dankie aan Kobus en sy span vir 'n wonderlike naweek. Goed gedaan!!!
Submitted by Des Lemmon-Warde