Entrants have been slaving away for the past year in garages and workshops to get their vehicles prim and proper for judging. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Concours d’ Elegance attracts new entrants who have spent months sprucing up their classic cars and bikes.
For the classic vehicle owners, the love is all in the age, perfection of restoration and rarity, colour and superiority of the model at the time of its production.
Gursharan Singh bought his father his dream car; a 1980 Alfasud Sprint. His father gifted it back to him and on Sunday the 25-year-old will display a restored classic version at the Concours d’ Elegance.
His father, a mechanic, repaired Alfa Romeos for years and always wanted to own one, but never got to make the purchase.
Gursharan is keen on the cleanliness and detailing of the classic to restore it to its 1980s glory, as a thank you to his father and also because he enjoys working with vehicles.
Vintage and classic cars are supreme, he says.
“The structure of the car is unique including how it is made. They are also simple without the computers.”
Last year, he entered a Datsun, but being a member of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, this year he will be among the 11 Alfa Romeo entrants.
An annual staple on the Kenyan social and sporting scene, the 46th edition will be showcasing 70 classic and vintage cars and 40 motorcycles.
Entrants have been slaving away for the past year in garages and workshops to get their vehicles prim and proper for judging. Judging is based on cleanliness, condition and there are bonus points for age.
Mercedes Benz has the second biggest entries with 10 models, followed by M V, which has seven. Most popular bikes are BMWs.
The most valuable entries this year are two 1951 Roll Royce Silver Dawn and a pre-war 1936 Bentley.
‘‘We are very fortunate to have these. That shows the status of the event,’’ said Bob Dewar, the event director.
The vintage car restoration is a slow process that requires a handsome amount of capital, time and patience to get a finished product. Most parts are not locally available, which delays the process while looking for the original or replacement parts for the vehicle.
Larry Asego, a radio presenter, is also among young entrants making their maiden drive at the Ngong Racecourse this weekend in a 1974 Volkswagen Camper.
Scooby, as his friends have dubbed the car, was a purchase he made three years ago, with the intention of using it as camping van.
Radio personality Larry Asego says he is working to restore his 1974 Volkswagen Camper for this year's CBA Africa Concours d'Elegance.
A year and a half ago, he began extensive and intensive repairs on the vehicle after it developed some issues.
“My mechanic suggested we prepare the car for Concours,” he says.
He was quick to accept the suggestion and the work began. He has also faced similar challenges as Gursharan when it comes to finding parts locally.
Mercedes Benz
Edward Davis, a new entrant to the car pageant, also admits that it is an expensive and time-consuming hobby. He will showcase his 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SE.
“I do it as a hobby and it is fun to drive it around on the weekend. I am not obsessed about getting it perfected,” he says.
He adds that he may eventually sell the car to an enthusiast after the competition.
Larry on the other hand will keep his car for use when taking his family camping, especially if they do not want to sleep in a tent, it is an excellent alternative.
“The joy of a classic is driving it. Putting it on the road,” he says.
His passion for vintage and classic cars is one he speaks fondly about. “Everyone can buy a nice fancy car, but not everyone can restore a classic. I love cars especially from the old days. Simple engineering, they look elegant, the shape is beautiful and they are not computerised, it is just man and machine,” he says.
The three lovers of vintage collectibles admit that getting their vehicles onto the judging ramp will be a major achievement, this being their debut in a competition that has been on the country’s social and sports calendar for a decade.
Larry is cutting it close to the deadline. His paint work was completed last Friday and the engine fitted on Monday.
“I am just looking forward to see my car go up the ramp,” he says.
The process has taught him a new appreciation and respect for those who restore and keep classic vehicles.
Restorations are never complete. That is the common statement by each competitor. Every year, they take the cars apart and piece them back together with new modifications. Each year, alterations are made to the cars making them bolder, better and sleeker.
They have to be painted on a regular basis. Getting the correct type and shade of colour that will adhere to the car without chipping, bubbling or falling flat, is a challenge.
“I had quite a few mishaps with the paint work. The weather made the paint bubble so we had to do it all over again,” says Larry.
Last year, the Pandit family gave insight on how expensive and rare the paint for particular classics and vintages is.
The paint may need to be acquired directly from the vehicle manufacturer. The Pandits are this year sitting out the competition.
Veteran competitor Paul Chemngorem will have three of his cars for the showcase, a 1962 Volkwagen Karmann Ghia, a 1968 MGB GT and a 1991 Suzuki Sierra.
Bikes
Sati Jabbal is the defending motorcycle category overall winner title. He won last year with a 1925 DKW. He is competing this year with two different bikes, a 1958 Norton Racer and a 1983 BMW K100.
Tumaini Muthiga has entered a bike and two cars; a 2001 Kawasaki bike, 1970 Austin Mini and a 1982 Peugeot 504. Over the years, the event has attracted entries from Argentina, Australia, England, Germany, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Tumaini Muthiga poses with his trophy after being awarded most elegant during a past Concours D’Delegance. FILE PHOTO | GERALD ANDERSON
Some of the classic and vintage cars will also be on sale during and after the competition for enthusiasts to purchase and indulge in.
Among the past overall car winners are a 1928 Chevrolet, a 1928 Ford, a 1926 Fiat, a 1934 Alvis Firefly, a 1934 Railton, a 1951 Daimler DB 18 Barker and a 1952 MGTD.
In recent years, the overall motorcycle winners have been a 1941 Indian Scout, a 1937 Moto Guzzi, a 1930 Ivory Calthorpe, a 1925 DKW, a 1922 Douglas 4HP and a 1915 Indian Model B.
