04 Sep Chev Belair Coupe the perfect carriage for Erfenistoer ’22
George, Garden Route (September 2022) – Niel Kasselman says he’s always had his eye on the awesome old car that will transport him and three family members during this year’s Erfenistoer – the Southern Cape Old Car Club’s annual outride to celebrate Heritage Month, as well as SA’s multi-faceted motor heritage.
Niel is the founder of burgeoning George-based business OJanna Distributors – the gold sponsor of Erfenistoer 2022. And on September 22, he will be raring to hit the track from the tour’s official starting point at Halfway Toyota in Knysna Road, George.
Chevy dream come true
Niel, wife Ria and company – their daughter Nadia and son-in-law, Frikkie van der Merwe – will brave the route in a beautifully-restored 1954 Chevrolet Belair Coupe. The ‘kids’ would have participated in their own old lady, a 1957 Wolseley 15/50. But engine trouble necessitated them joining their parents in the Chev.
“This truly rare vehicle has been my dream car for many years. And at the ripe old age of 58, I was finally able to get my hands on it,” he says, adding that the car was completely rebuilt in 2019, its straight six-cylinder setup replaced with a V8 Oldsmobile Rocket and a TH400 Auto gearbox.
“I was close to buying the car in 2020, but missed that opportunity by a day or two, when a guy named Andre Fourie from Hartebeespoortdam pipped me to the post. Andre owned the car until the beginning of this year, when he decided to sell because he’s a bakkie man, now focusing on collecting as many old bakkies as possible.
“When the Chevy came up for sale, I immediately bought it without even going to look, because I knew the car so well. It was rebuilt from the ground up in by Coastal Customs Mossel Bay.”
Niel calls the car a “true original” – expertly preserved, albeit with an engine modified to be a bit bigger, a little stronger. Not least of its attributes is that the Belair sports a prettily painted coat of black pearl metallic, and biscuit cream-coloured roof.
Thirsty but family-friendly
Niel says the car drives like a dream, but he must concede that it’s rather heavy on fuel… think 5.5km to the litre. However, there’s many mitigating circumstances, not least of which the fact that Ria is equally enamoured with the Chevy.
“We have known each other since 1980 and were married in ’84,” recounts Niel. “We have three children and six grandchildren, and all of them are absolutely old-car crazy.” So, it’s just right that Ria, Nadia and Frikkie will be riding along on Erfenistoer ‘22.
More than fine
Multi-Fine Products is proud to be associated with the Southern Cape Old Car Club’s 10th Heritage Tour, from September 22 to 25. The fun kicks off at Halfway Toyota in George on September 22, before heading to Oudtshoorn, De Rust, Prins Albert and Matjiesfontein. Day 2 includes the towns of Ceres, Tulbagh, Porterville, Velddrif and St Helena Bay, with Day 3’s route leading past Vredenburg, Windmeul, Worcester, Robertson and Montagu. The final day on September 25 will see Erfenistoer drivers return to George via Barrydale, Tradouw Pass, Buffelsjagrivier, and Riversdale7 Western Cape residents must take note that this venerable fleet can be admired exclusively during tea stops in Prince Albert, Matjiesfontein, Tulbagh, St Helena Bay, Windmeul, and Montagu.
The George Old Car Show for 2023 will take place on 11 & 12 February.
Email mimi@gojipr.net or call 084 583 3144 to find out more.