For the first time, an International Classic Car Auction will be held in South Africa on Saturday evening, 11 August 2018, at Steyn City, on the north-west perimeter of Sandton.
The Concours South Africa Auction, brought to you by Coys of London, will be headlined by 50 cars from The Plit Portfolio, which will go under the hammer on the Saturday evening of the three-day Concours South Africa classic car event, which runs from 10 to 12 August, also at Steyn City.
In addition to The Plit Portfolio, a number of other classic vehicles will be auctioned on 11 August, including a rare Maserati Khamsin AM120 prototype; a 1973 creation of which only five were built.
“This will be the first time in South Africa that an international classic car auction will be hosted,” said Concours South Africa organiser Paul Kennard.
“The Coys Catalogue that is in preparation right now, will be distributed to 25 000 of their clients internationally and there will be international on-line bidding from enthusiasts all over the world, on the night, as well as bidding on the floor at Steyn City”.
The Plit Portfolio
The amazing collection of cars, being put up for auction by arch Johannesburg-based classic enthusiast Wayne Plit, represents just a small portion of his collection that began way back in the late 1980s, starting with a 1964 Lancia Flavia Coupe, and followed by a Ford Escort RS2000.
“My first car was a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle, which I took over from my father in 1984, which already had about 500 000 km on the clock,” said Wayne Plit. “And I rebuilt that old boxer Beetle engine many times. So that’s where my passion began.
“You could say the 1964 Lancia Flavia was my first bona-fide classic. The Ford Escort R2000 that came next was followed by a BMW 333i, and after that well, as I became successful in business I invested almost all my capital in classic and collectable cars.
“A year ago I did a count and the number I own had risen above the 250 mark. I currently employ five people just to keep them maintained and exercised, because you can’t let these old cars stand around or they’ll deteriorate. So, reluctantly, because I am truly addicted to these old cars, I have made the decision to rationalise the collection.
“This auction is the first step, where I will be putting up 50 of my cars, and some classic motorcycles, for auction by Coys of London, at the Concours South Africa event.”
For Plit, this decision has been an agonising one, as he is genuinely passionate about each and every car in his collection.
“I am not a one-marque man. I enjoy a huge variety of classic cars, particularly those that emanate from the 1970s and the 1980s, when many of these cars were in poster-form on my bedroom wall. Of course, as I collected, I became entranced by many other cars from earlier eras too. But yes, the time has come to re-focus my portfolio.”
50 Cars will form the Plit Portfolio at the Concours South Africa Auction, conducted by Coys of London. Other cars, in brief, include a trio of Mini Cooper S models from the 1960s, a trio of 1980s BMW Alpina models specially imported to South Africa, a 1961 Alvis TD21, a selection of Alfa Romeo Spiders, a BMW Z1, and many more.
Aside from the Plit Portfolio, a number of South African enthusiast have shown interest in putting some of their classic cars up for auction on 11 August, and these interested parties can contact organiser Paul Kennard on paul@concourssouthaFRICA.COM, or co-organiser Greg Marucchi on greg@concourssouthafrica.com.
“This international auction is a natural fit for Concours South Africa, which will be running for the first time at the acclaimed Steyn City venue on 10-12 August,” said Paul Kennard. “It will be just one of the highlights of an exclusive weekend-long event that is attracting the cream of classic cars and enthusiasts in South Africa. Entries for Concours South Africa will be limited to 100 cars this year.”
To enter for Concours South Africa 2018, or to enter a car at the Auction hosted by Coys of London, or for more information on attending this exclusive event, visit the Concours South Africa website at www.concourssouthafrica.com, or contact organiser Paul Kennard on paul@concourssouthafrica.com
This media release prepared for Concours South Africa by Stuart Johnston.
