GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - One of Waldo Scribante's earliest childhood memories is crossing the Prince Alfred Pass in a 1960 Mercedes-Benz Ponton 219 with his parents, towing an old caravan en route to the Garden Route.
Despite being filled with dread for the pass, he has had a lifelong love affair with cars.
The third Mercedes-Benz his father bought was a 450 SL, which Waldo admits to driving more than his father did.
His wife René's love for old cars grew along with Waldo's. She is especially enchanted by the design and chrome work on many of them.
The "Scribs Benzeum" is their personal collection of numerous Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Dr Scribante (now a radiologist) is currently the president of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa (MBCSA).
The Scribs Benzeum's involvement with the 2020 George Old Car Show is a passion project for Waldo and René, and a way of giving back to a community that has given them so many wonderful memories over the years. The 24th show will be held on the PW Botha College grounds, George, on 8 and 9 February 2020.
The image of that Ponton 219 stuck in his memory and, even as a schoolboy, he was always looking for old cars to repair and restore.
The first car he bought after finishing his studies was a 1965 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL which he has kept in immaculate condition.
The second was 1963 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Coupé.
However, his all-time favourite is the 1913 Benz he bought at an auction in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal in 2000. The car turned out to be even rarer than he thought and René loves driving it at rallies and tours like the annual Veteran Tour, which precedes the George Old Car Show.
His collection even includes an ambulance and a taxi which he bought on eBay and had imported from Germany. "I only had the photos to go on, and when the vehicles arrived it was a pile of rusted stuff, which resulted in a big restoration effort."
Every one of his vehicles is driven at least once a month. "All of them are in good working order, albeit not 100% perfect."
According to Kobus Harris, it was decided that the centre display for the next George Old Car Show will be focused on LDV's commonly known as bakkies. Space for 40 bakkies has been allocated next to the main arena. "We endeavour to get not only the oldest bakkies but also the rare ones from the past." Thus far 25 bakkies have confirmed and registered for the show
A blast from the past will be there to be bring back memories like the: 1960 Austin (Baby), 1958 Borgward, 1925 Chevrolet, 1960 Chevrolet El Camino, 1965 Datsun, 1957 DKW, 1973 Dodge, 1915 Ford Model T, 1929 Ford Model T, 1937 Ford V8, 1957 Ford Ranchero, 1963 Ford Anglia, 1946 GMC, 1954 International, 1951 Mercedes-Benz 170V, 1956 Mercedes-Benz 180 D, 1969 Morris, 1948 Studebaker and a 1968 Toyota Corona.
There will be few surprises on show, vehicles that the general public is not aware of and probably will never see again.
George Old Car Show Chairperson for 2020, Johan Rademan shared that this year's event will, apart from the bakkies display, will feature a Ferrari Club exhibition including 17 of these supercars.
The Valiant Club will be celebrating 60 years. There will be VW's Auto Pavilion, an auction by Trader Auctions and a special exhibition of muscle cars.
For more information on the Show, contact Klaus Oellrich (076 764 0897) or visit the website, www.scocc.co.za.
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