31 Oct Oily Rag Run 2019
On October 20 a mix of 23 vehicles took part in the annual Oily Rag Run. Sponsored by FMM, Crossley & Webb and RockStar Cars, the run started at the museum with coffee and conviviality amongst the competing crews and supporters. Judging of the pre-1969 unrestored cars was carried out as usual by Dickon Daggitt and Derek Hulse. The run then took entrants on a 120-km run route put together by Mike and Wendy Monk through Drakenstein, Huguenot, Agter Paarl, Paardeberg, Klipheuwel, Durbanville, Milnerton on to the finish at C&W’s showroom in Cape Town’s CBD, where lunch was served. The Springbok’s Rugby World Cup match was on screen after which everyone was entertained by a couple of talented pianists.
The entries comprised a 1914 New Hudson, 1926 AJS, 1959 Vespa, 1928 Dodge, 1929 Ford Model A, 1932 Lagonda, 1936 Armstrong-Siddeley, 1946 Ford DeLuxe, 1947 MG TC, 1949 Hillman Minx, 1953 Austin Champ, 1956 Land Rover fire tender, 1958 VW Kombi 1960 Porsche 356B, 1960 Morris Minor, 1962 Jaguar Mk.2 3,4, 1964 Morris Mini Countryman, 1964 Mercedes-Benz 200, 1965 MG B roadster, 1967 Ford F250 and 1968 Fiat 124 Coupé. In addition, FMM entered its 1926 Chrysler Model 58 and 1966 Porsche 912, which ran well throughout.
A fuelling mix-up before the start prevented the New Hudson from taking part but the rest all got away without too much fuss. However, Colin Greyvensteyn’s AJS cried enough not long after the start, as the rest of the crews went on to enjoy the scenery. Roads were relatively free of traffic and cyclists, probably due to the televised rugby match. Sadly, Michelle Hambly-Grobler’s Dodge blew its radiator just short of the half-way pit stop where the competing Furness family provided fresh lemonade from their RockStar VW Kombi while tales of progress were shared by all taking part.
During the lunch, Dickon thanked the sponsors, organisers, entrants and supporters before announcing and handing over the trophy to the overall winner, the Lagonda of Dave Alexander. The winner of the Skorokoro Trophy for the ‘most oily rag car’ (ie, the tattiest…), as voted for by the competing crews, was awarded to the Land Rover fire tender belonging to James Kennedy. Event organiser Colin Greyvensteyn then presented a small prize for the ‘best dressed lady’ to Mel Stewart and for the ‘best dressed man’ to Uwe Swoboda.
Post-event comments suggested it was one of the best-ever Oily Rag Runs and, in closing; Dickon looked forward to the same excellent support next year.
