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The KZN-based winner of the Show and Shine Category at the inaugural Concours South Africa has described the first event held last September at Sun City as “totally awesome”. And she will definitely be entering the 2017 Concours, to be held at Sun City in early August. Mrs Manana Nhlanhla and her husband Dr Albert Nhlanhla travelled all the way from Botha’s Hill near Durban for the first event, trailering their mint original 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. 
When the prizes were handed out on the final day on the lawns below the Gary Player Country Club – seen by many as the prime position in the splendid Sun City Complex – Manana ‘s little Merc was awarded first prize in the Show and Shine category. “I am delighted to hear the 2017 event is being held again at Sun City, because this is the perfect venue for an event of this kind,” said Manana, when interviewed this week. Concours South Africa 2017 has already been given a date at Sun City for this year’s event, slated for August 3-6, 2017. “For an inaugural event, I found that Concours 2016 was just the right size, but I feel it can only grow. I say this, because the organisers imparted so much confidence and enthusiasm to those taking part in the first event. We are creating a culture of treasuring classic cars in this country, and this is going to impact on a number of associated industries and media,” said the Botha’s Hill -based owner of an investment company. This year the organisers are planning for 150 entries across a more tightly-defined array of categories. This past month the organisers met with Chief Judge Wayne Harley, Curator of the Franschoek Motor Museum, to finalise categories at an early stage, and enable entrants to ready their cars for the 2017 event. These newly-constituted categories will be published on the Concours South Africa website at www.concourssa.co.za. Manana Nhlanhla has hinted she will be travelling to Sun City this year with more than one entry for this year’s event in August. And that she will be in convoy with at least one other KZN classic car collector. “I want to scrutinize the categories carefully first, once they are published. But I can state right now that I will also be arriving with a surprise entry. I’m not saying any more at this stage, because it will be a surprise, “ laughed Manana Manana’s interest in classic cars was inspired by her business partner, Sithembiso Mthethwa, who collects a variety of classics, the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz featuring prominently in his collection. “Sithembiso will definitely be entering Concours South Africa 2017, with one or possibly two cars. As for my husband, Albert, he will be there once again, supporting me. But his main interest is golf!” Apart from her immaculately restored 190 SL, Manana numbers a prized selection of classic Merc roadsters in her collection. She says the “herd in her kraal” includes the likes of a 1970 280 SL “Pagoda”, a 1988 R107-series 500 SL, and a 320 SL built in 2001. She also mentions a classic “barn find” Mercedes roadster which she is currently having restored by a specialist in London. “The 190 SL has a special place in my heart because it represents such an elegant era in motorcar design. You had the likes of Grace Kelly and Ralph Lauren, the fashion mogul, driving these cars. It is this aura of elegance that I love, and why I particularly enjoyed the aspect of the ladies dressing up on the Sunday at Sun City last September. “I believe that by moving this year’s event forward to early August the organisers are freeing up more space for the cars, and also the beautiful vista across the valley at Sun City. I can hardly wait for the 2017 event.” * The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL roadster was seen as a smaller, less-powerful version of the dramatic original 300 SL roadster of the 1950s. Built between 1955 and 1963, the 190 SL had an overhead camshaft, twin-carburettor, four-cylinder engine that produced 77 kW and gave the little car a fair turn of speed for those times. It could accelerate to 100 km/h in about 13 seconds and had a top speed of 170 km/h, which was fast for 1955. In 1963, both the original 300 SL and 190 SL were superseded by the 230 SL, which became known as the “Pagoda” because of the unusual, kinked shape of its hard-top roof. The Pagoda evolved through various iterations, later models in this body-type being the 250 SL and finally the 280 SL. *Entries will soon be opening for Concours South Africa 2017, to be held between August 3 and 6, 2017, at Sun City. |
