LOCAL NEWS - The Santos Beach Auto Extremo at Mossel Bay on 7 September has its roots in a snoek braai in an idyllic setting that began 29 years ago as an annual get together for the Southern Cape region of the Mercedes Benz Club.
This year’s event will be the second rendition of a car show that has evolved from that enjoyable experience, and the good news is that classic car owners who sign up for the pre-show tour can join the organisers and partake of the particular excellence offered by Kobus Harris, known as the Snoek Master.
“Kobus will once again be on hand to conjure up his special magic on the shores of Mossel Bay, just as he has been every year since 1996,” says Waldo Scribante, chief organiser.
“This year he will be ably assisted by members of the Southern Cape Old Car Club, including Chris Kuhn and his wife Renesche, as this event has grown into a prestigious car show since we organized the first Auto Extremo event in 2024.
"Once again we will be offering a feast of special interest cars, which range from vehicles that date back to the early 1900s to modern supercars like the latest Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches.”
Scribante is co-ordinating the event under the auspices of the Scribs Benzeum, a museum in George owned by Scribante, and dedicated to Waldo’s life-long passion for all things Mercedes-Benz.
Waldo Scribante is also chairman of the Southern Cape Old Car Club, which organises the annual George Old Car Show each February, so there is no lack of experience in old car events in the Santos Beach Auto Extremo team.
A key member of the team is the experienced and very erudite publicist, Alewijn Dippenaar.
The event at Santos Beach also forms part of the strategy in place by Iconic Mossel Bay to promote this wonderful Southern Cape treasure to an ever-increasing audience.
Last year’s inaugural Auto Extremo show attracted well over 100 cars, and the event was notable for the presence of modern Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis and Mercedes-Benz supercars such as the SLS Roadster.
Alongside those supercars of today were supercars from the past, such as a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, a Mercedes-Benz 190SL from 1960, and a Ferrari 512 from the 1990s. An ultra-stylish BMW 3.0 Coupe from the 1970s, seen at last year’s show, was one of the most elegant cars of its era.
American cars in 2024 included one of the iconic roadsters of the 1950s, a Ford Thunderbird that travelled from Knysna for the event, a 1966 Ford Mustang and a rare Studebaker GT from the early 1960s.
Also, of ‘Americana’ interest will be various street rods and pick-up trucks, epitomising the American Graffiti genre.
“We have ensured that we cater for all sorts of collectable cars,” says Scribante, “and they will include the marvelous, technically interesting DKW two-stroke saloons, which enjoy something of a strong-hold in the Mossel Bay area.
"Expect to see a line-up of all sorts of ‘Deek’ variations, including the older 3=6 models (so called because the three-cylinder two-stroke motors produced as much power as a typical six-cylinder car of the era) and the 1000S models in two-door, four-door and stylish coupe variations.”
The old-car contingent includes pre-classic vehicles, and these will be represented by veteran models such as the Model T Ford, which date back before 1918, and vintage models from 1919 to 1930, this group includes the much more technically advanced Ford Model A.
Younger enthusiasts will be catered for by some very special latter day BMWs, including the highly collectable 333i from the mid-1980s and by the evergreen supercars in the form of Porsche’s 911.
An unusual Porsche will be a rare 914 model which was known as the Volks-Porsche when it was introduced in the 1970s, as it used a tuned variation of the Volkswagen 411 engine. Because of their rarity these Porsches are becoming increasingly sought-after by collectors.
“We are delighted with the traction the Santos Beach Auto Extremo has gained in the past 12 months. This is only its second rendition, and the buzz around it has been quite amazing,” says Waldo Scribante. “We are particularly delighted that we have MUA Insurance on board as our main sponsor for this 2025 event, and this is another example of the acceptance the event has already garnered on the southern Cape collector car scene."
The Santos Beach Auto Extremo 2025 is open to the public from 10:00 to 16:00 and admission prices will be a modest R100 for adults, while children will be admitted free of charge.
Assisting once again with gate admission, food and beverage and traffic control and parking will be the Lions, Round Table, the National Sea Rescue Institute and Iconic Mossel Bay.
The beautiful tree lined De Bakke Caravan Park grounds, with their unequaled ocean views, are located on the approach to Mossel Bay town centre along the coastal road on the left-hand side.
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