GEORGE NEWS - With the first Valiant built in September 1959 in South Africa, this year marks the Valiant Club's 60th anniversary - an occasion which will be thoroughly celebrated by the Mopar* Owner's Club at the 2020 Old Car Show on the weekend of 8 and 9 February.
The main sponsor of the 24th old car show is the Scribs Benzeum in George.
Vehicles taking part in the show will range from a 1928 Dodge Brother to a 2019 Jeep Trail Hawk. A few interesting vehicles owned by members of the club, including a fuel-injected coupé built in cooperation with Krygkor, the forerunner of ArmsCor, will be on display.
George Old Car Show chairperson for 2020, Johan Rademan, said this year's event will feature a display of bakkies and a Ferrari Club exhibition including 17 supercars. 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 on 076 764 0897, or visit the website, www.scocc.co.za. Tickets can be booked online at Computicket.
Flashback
The Chrysler Valiant, initially a rebadged Plymouth Valiant (USA), was sold by Chrysler Australia between 1962 and 1981. It was also sold in New Zealand and South Africa, with smaller numbers exported to South-East Asia and the United Kingdom.
In 1965, a commercial utility was introduced and exported to South Africa as the Rustler. This was followed by a two-door hardtop in 1971 called the Charger.
In 2009, the Chrysler Owner's Club of South Africa was founded. In 2011 the club was rebranded as the Mopar Owner's Club after the merger between Fiat and Chrysler, the members wanting to retain links to the American family.
By that time, many Mopar clubs had sprung up around the world, especially in the USA.
These are groups of automobile enthusiasts with the common interest of preserving and enjoying their Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep and Mopar-related vehicles.
The Mopar Owner's Club in South Africa has thrived under the leadership of Fanie Gerber, who describes himself as the "chief cook and bottle washer". Today they have 174 members from across the country and a very active WhatsApp group that is restricted to members and owners who actively take part in the group's events.
* Mopar is the parts, service and customer care organisation within Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The name is a portmanteau of the words "Motor" and "Parts".
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