“We moved the event from the last weekend in April to take advantage of the Worker’s Day public holiday that falls on the Friday,” says Peter Pretorius, chief organiser of this top-notch event, which is being presented for the ninth successive year by the Garden Route Motor Club.

Past shows have seen displays of 400 vehicles of the highest quality featuring veteran, vintage and classic cars, as well as a selection of ultra-rare modern supercars and an increasing number of vintage and classic motorcycles. This year, there will be a similar number of vehicles, all of top-drawer quality.

“We are delighted to be again sponsoring the Knysna Motor Show – one of the most prestigious events on the auto show calendar in South Africa,” says Leon Strümpher, portfolio manager at Sanlam Private Wealth. “Many of our clients are passionate classic car collectors, not only as a hobby but as an alternative investment class which can deliver notable returns.

“We encourage all classic and vintage car enthusiasts to make the trip to Knysna – regarded as the classic car capital of South Africa – to see some of the best classic vehicles our country has to offer,” says Strümpher.

50 Austin Healeys on the lawns at Knysna

One of the highlights of the 2020 Knysna Motor Show will be a special display of 50 Austin Healey sports cars. It will include all models manufactured through the years, along with a Concours display of selected models. This contingent of Austin Healeys and their owners, including six from overseas, will take part in the Austin Healey Club’s 2020 national tour – the Knysna show is seen as the highlight of the Healey event.

The big brother Austin Healey is a sports car produced in England between 1953 and 1968 – many were in fact assembled in South Africa. The classic Austin Healeys featured large-capacity four-cylinder engines in the early 100 Series cars, and potent 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines in the later 3000 Series cars. The display will also include the smaller Austin Healey Sprite models, along with a unique rolling chassis of a racing model with a strong South African history.

Mercedes-Benz Pagodas and more!

Another special display will honour the Mercedes-Benz Pagoda, the stylish German sports car built from 1963 to 1981 that has gained in collectability over the past few decades. These cars were available in 230, 250 and 280 SL guise over the car’s lifespan. They were noted for their extreme practicality, superb build quality and fine cruising ability, and their cache amongst enthusiasts has grown incrementally over the past few years.

The Pagoda name derives from the shape of the hard-top roof which was supplied with this car, along with a soft-top roof. In summer months, owners tended to store the Pagoda roof in the garage, but had the benefit of the soft-top in case of a sudden shower.

Supercars, vintage cars, classic motorcycles and more

A host of specialist car clubs will also be represented at the Knysna Motor Show. The organisers have again invited a selection of rare modern supercars, as these appeal particularly to young people. They will include models very rarely seen by the public.

There is also a strong interest in vintage, classic and racing motorcycles in the area, and the motorcycle section has been growing in numbers and importance in recent shows. The organisers are expecting a particularly interesting variety of special motorcycles this year.

Cars and motorcycles only by special invitation

The Garden Route Motor Club is again limiting the number of vehicles to 400, to retain the exceptionally high standard of machinery that has now become this show’s hallmark.

“The cars and motorcycles on show will again be there by special invitation only,” says Pretorius. “We aim to ensure that the cars on display measure up to a certain standard in terms of presentation and rarity. This also enables us to plan the display areas in advance, as we know exactly what will be arriving on the day.”

However owners of rare vintage, veteran, classic and super cars, and motorcycles should register on the following link: 2020 Knysna Motor Show Registration or contact Peter Pretorius at peterp@afrihost.co.za.

Ideal day out for the whole family, at affordable prices

Attendance of the Knysna Motor Show has grown to surpass 5 000 spectators in recent years. The 2020 show is a one-day event held at the Knysna High School Sports Grounds on 3 May 2020 from 9am to 4pm. Admission prices for spectators are R60 for adults and R20 for children aged 12 – 18 years. Children under R12 enter free of charge. Food and drink stalls will be plentiful, and best-of-show awards will be announced from noon onwards.

Local charities will benefit

The Garden Route Motor Club has in the past raised more than R600 000 for charity through the Knysna Motor Show. This year’s beneficiaries will include Hospice, Animal Welfare, FAMSA, E-pap (a feeding scheme for needy children) and a number of smaller charities.

Should you be looking for accommodation, special rates have been negotiated with the following hotels:

Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa

http://pezulahotel.com/specials/knysnamotorshow2020/ - Click on the link for the details & rates

Protea Knysna Quays Hotel

Contact: Ilze Stadler

ilze.stadler@proteahotels.com or 044 382 5005

The Turbine Boutique Hotel

Contact: Candice Zeelie

reservations@turbinehotel.co.za or 044 302 5746

For more information, contact Peter Pretorius at peterp@afrihost.co.za or on 082 321 4724, or visit the Garden Route Motor Club’s website: www.grmc.co.za

This media release was prepared for the Garden Route Motor Club by Stuart Johnston (e-mail: stujohn@netactive.co.za).