A Pictorial History

This is intended to be a human story about motorists and the cars they bought, drove, raced, crashed, cursed, crapped, hated and loved. Early Motoring in South Africa is a nostalgic and informative look at the first 40 years of the motorcar in Southern Africa, the good years before the servant became the master, but also the years of frustration and disappointment, bad roads, tough terrain and economic depression.

Spanning the period 1897 to 1939 there are over 425 photographs, most of which are unique, and an authoritative, yet entertaining text. Here is the first horseless carriage, brought to Kruger’s Republic by an enterprising Transvaaler, the motoring pioneers and giants are followed by the motorised farmers and townsmen, the daredevil record breakers and the adventure seekers struggling from Cape to Cairo. Empire builders, statesmen, politicians, gold and diamond barons, industrialists, writers and visiting royalty make their appearance on wheels. Here are Tin Lizzies and glossy thoroughbreds, makes well known and rare, even home-made.

The author’s careful research and specialised knowledge of the subject make this book a work of standard reference for motoring enthusiasts, social historians and collectors, and those who simply want to see the sort of car grandfather drove.