Month: February 2023

We love the look of this Velocity Signature Series 1969 Ford Bronco with its custom BASF Glasurit Meadowlark Yellow paint and Ranger Edition Package.

When the folks at Ford introduced the Bronco in 1966, they had no idea what the humble SUV, built to take on the Jeep CJ-5 and International Scout, would become. Since its inception, the Bronco was put to use, working on ranches and farms across America. Also, cruising to the beach, heading to the ski slopes, and racing in the early years of the Baja 1000. The trusty steeds were reliable, tough, and powerful with their optional V8 engines. Furthermore, the smaller dimensions of the Bronco made it perfect for those early adventurers that started exploring the rugged off-road terrain of Moab, the Rubicon Trail, and the Mojave Road.

Liza van Zyl made her dream a reality in the form of this neat fibreglass 1933 Coupe Roadster.

What is a Hot Rod? To me personally, it has always been something that is built from the heart, regardless of what others may think. Not forgetting to add a powerful and noisy V8 into the mix. Back in the day, youngsters were always finding new and cheap ways to get their little coupes and four doors to go faster. Which included, amongst other things, pulling off hubcaps, ripping out the back seat and removing windshield wiper arms.

Immediately the 1954 Chevy 3100 jumps out at you it is difficult to ignore.

Never before has the custom truck scene been as popular in South Africa as it is at the moment. While man is still hunting down and searching for American pony cars and boulevard cruisers, the 50s and 60s era trucks are in high demand. This is by clientele looking for a left-field approach to the scene. 

If Count Dracula’s coffin had an engine, it would be sitting in something just like Clint Wilson’s 1970 Mercedes 280S. This car’s presence is impossible to ignore — the stark contrast between its matte black exterior and rich red leather interior makes it look like a creature of the night, cloaked in style and ready to prowl. Clint found this beast on Gumtree, oddly enough from a seller dealing in exotic birds. Exotic might be putting it lightly.

Mark Mercury spotted a rusty old truck body and chassis while doing his inspection rounds, lying on vacant land in Grassy Park. The owner of the property had asked him to remove it and dump it in the scrap yard. Virtually all that remained of the wreck was the chassis, cab and half of the bin, with no doors or windows. Mark didn’t know what it was until he found the original owner; who wanted to strip and restore the 1936 Plymouth Pickup. But, over time, some parts and bits got stolen and he abandoned the project. To the bemusement of his friends, he resolved to take the pieces home and revive the vehicle.

I remember cruising past Blue Lagoon, or Lugz as it’s affectionately known by the locals, on Durban’s M4 beach road and spotting this very same 1972 Ford Capri parked with a crowd gathered around it, ooohs and aaahs buzzing through the air like it owned the place. That Capri wasn’t just a car; it was a symbol of an era when Blue Lagoon was the go-to spot on a Friday or Saturday night — a place to meet mates, chill with a few dops from brown paper bags stashed in boots, and soak up the vibe before hitting the club.

The immortal deuce, the ultimate hot rod the 1932 Ford Roadster is the car that started it all.

The 1932 Ford Roadster is a car that has transcended time to become a true icon. A car that not only laid down the foundation for the quintessential American automobile but also came to define a uniquely American automotive culture. From Bonnie and Clyde to the Beach Boys, the 1932 Ford has been at the centre of it all.

The Land Rover Defender is a timeless icon with a loyal following of enthusiasts. For Justin, that devotion led him to breathe new life into his beloved Defender by sending it to Mark at Rocket 88 for an LS swap—transforming it into a beast with serious performance and personality.

Photos by Lisa Woest
 

When Jackie Swart finally got his hands on this long, low-slung 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Delivery 210, it was the colour of a fluorescent canary. But beneath the garish paint job was a body in superb condition – a rarity in itself for a vehicle of this age and kind.

Not all customs roar with a V8 under the hood, and some don’t even bother with radiators. Case in point — Wayne Tennant’s 1966 air-cooled Beetle. Old-school slammed, rusty, and brimming with character, it’s proof that not all hot rods wear American badges or drink fuel like it’s going out of fashion. In fact, this one prefers to cruise low and slow, turning heads for entirely different reasons.