09 Feb This is not Mr Kuschke’s first rodeo, by far!
Philip Kuschke has the unique pleasure of organising the 2022 Zesto Café Veteran Tour, which culminates in two days of engine ogling at Eden Technical High on February 12 and 13, during George Old Motor Show’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
The Silver Jubilee edition of GOMS boasts SCRIB BENZeum as premier partner, and this year’s preceding road trip of veteran and classic cars is supported by Zesto Café at Eden Meander.
Currently serving as secretary of the Model T Ford Club of South Africa, Philip comes a long way with these venerable American-built automobiles. Apart from being a stalwart of the Southern Cape Old Car Club organising committee, 2022 marks his 17th year of organising the Vet Tour.
And no, having done this job on so many previous occasions do not render him any less excited, with participants from far and wide having signed up as part of the tour party.
“There is a wonderful feeling of anticipation. One participant from Cape Town claims he organises his yearly holiday around the event. Another, a Canadian gentleman, visits his Garden Route home exclusively to coincide with the tour and car show.”
By definition, veterans had to be produced before December 31, 1918. Since these cars are rather rare, the Vet Tour makes allowance for models without front brakes, the production of which came to a natural conclusion around 1930.
Considering the miniscule number of well-preserved senior cars in circulation today, it’s a feather in Philip’s cap that 22 tourers have signed up for this year’s outride. They hail from centres in Gauteng and Cape Town, but also hamlets like Bethlehem and Piet Retief. Invariably, they are welcomed with open arms by their George-based brethren. Zesto Café Vet Tour 2022 officially kicks off on Thursday February 10 in Calitzdorp. Robinson Pass is traversed en route to the coast on a track past Hersham and Bothastrand before meandering back to Zesto Café for lunch.
“A large contingent of Vet Tour participants is also taking part in the Kalk Bay Tour, hosted by Crankhandle Club and setting off on February 6. We will leave George on Friday the 4th and stay over in Bredasdorp before our arrival in the Mother City on Saturday,” says Philip.
“After departing Kalk Bay, we return via Wellington and Franschhoek where we’ll visit its old car museum on the Tuesday and explore wine farms along the way to Montagu and Calitzdorp.”
Zesto Café Vet Tour then hits the road officially on February 10, preceding the beautifully restored fleet’s participation at George Old Car Show on February 12 & 13.
“We enjoy SCOCC support as the tour lures really old models – a rarity at shows countrywide. Half the cars entered in this year’s tour are true veterans, the oldest being a 1908 Model S Ford. Most notably, its owner/driver is a lady, Ali van Jaarsveld, who travels annually from Johannesburg to join the tour.
“So it’s not a guy thing: many owners are accompanied by their partners, and my wife Rosita is often behind the wheel of our 1915 Model T Ford, as is the case with fellow SCOCC member Phillip Rosser, who shares driving of their 1926 Model T Ford with wife Amanda.”
Smile and wave when encountering the Zesto Café Vet Tour on the road, and visit the 25th George Old Car Show for heaps of auto-related entertainment. Follow them on Facebook and secure your entry on either day through Computicket.