Sometimes we find the most interesting collections in the smallest towns in South Africa. We head to Ceres in the Western Cape to view a car collection that has been carefully built up over 60 years.
IMAGES: Wilhelm Lutjeharms
At first glance, it appears to be just another tyre fitment workshop. Trucks and some cars are being attended to, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, on a car lift is a ’60s American classic, and I would soon realise this is only the tip of the motoring iceberg that lurks in the buildings around the workshop.
Background to the Ceres car collection
David Wesson and his family have always lived in Ceres in the Western Cape. As his youngest son is now also part of the business, it makes the former the 3rd generation to be involved in the family business. David takes me back to the early days and how their love of cars started with their late father.
“When my father passed away, we sold a few cars, but we kept most of the cars he’d collected. We have cars that have been restored, cars that are completely original and, finally, I have a few project cars.”
David admits that there are too many projects for 1 lifetime, but is thankful his sons also have a passion for cars and want to continue with the hobby and the various maintenance and restoration projects.
“My father arrived in Ceres in 1964. He was a tyre representative in the area and worked for Dunlop. It was then that he saw the potential for the tyre and fitment shop in town. He arrived here with an Austin Healey 3.0-litre and an Austin Seven Swallow – which is a very rare Austin model.
“He had to sell one of the cars to finance the start of his business, so decided to sell the Austin Healey as he argued it would be easier to source such a model one day versus the Swallow. With the money from the sale, he built a small building with a re-treading tyre shop.
“My father had a significant interest in cars, and unsurprisingly I grew up to share his passion. Over the years, people spread the word that my father, and later myself, are interested in cars and collect them. The result was that people would phone us informing us of a possible car that is or might be for sale.
“People would tell us how special the said car was or how well it had been cared for, but through these trips and experiences, we also have been disappointed a few times.”
“My dad grew up playing with Dinky model cars – he would put them under the hens in the hope they would multiply,” David quips.
“On weekends, I’d jump in the cars with my father when he took them for drives. Even when the weather wasn’t great he would still drop the cabriolets’ roofs. One of the main features of the collection is the number of cabriolets. That has always been one of the focus points for my father and for us as well.”
“I learned to drive at a young age. My father would put a cushion on the driver’s seat and taught me how to drive. While my father was still alive, I also looked around and started a collection of my own.
“My father’s taste in cars and my own were different though. We buy what is of interest to us and what is beautiful to us. These include American, German, Italian and British cars to name a few.”
As David kindly guides me towards the Ceres car collection, I turn the corner and see the majority of the cars for the first time – it is an impressive sight! From a very rare Opel GT, a pair of Audi Quattros, impressively long American convertibles, a Jaguar E-Type and many more!
See also: Epic Opel GT road trip across SA
Project cars in the Ceres car collection
“Restoring cars has become very expensive, especially owing to the labour involved in such a project. You have to analyse your project car and decide on the condition of the car. Not every vehicle is worthy of the restoration costs and you very carefully have to select which cars warrant the costs of restoring.”
David has gradually built up a vast network of contacts, which is essential for classic-car restorers. He admits that the individual car clubs are also of much help when it comes to these projects.
As David walks me through the Ceres car collection, it is evident that he has an ongoing soft spot for classic cars versus modern cars. On 2 occasions he considered buying modern cars, once a Porsche 911 and, on another occasion a Morgan, and in both instances he opted for classics instead.
One barn contains cars that are mostly earmarked for restorations – again these include cars from a variety of manufacturers and types of cars and even a Dodge Military Power Wagon truck.
“The most enjoyable aspect of the collection is without a doubt driving the cars. I would like to be able to do more of the restoration work myself, but I don’t have the necessary knowledge and experience to work on a car’s body for example,” David adds.
“A car that is on my wish list includes the Bentley Continental GTC. It is a stunning car. It offers the best of all worlds. Performance, comfort and luxury – top down or up. A dream would be a Jaguar D-Type; it’s entirely out of my price bracket, but I do have a replica though. There are a few more, but time will tell.”
As I look at what is said to be the last locally-built Mini, two Alfa Romeos and what is the only modern car in this garage, a Jaguar F-Type, there are decades of automotive history to behold. And to think it all started with the 1930 Austin Seven Swallow, still parked at the back of the garage, arguably the most important car in the Ceres car collection and still there after 60 years in the family.
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