Blog
A whole new display line-up
Now that all the display halls have been upgraded with a new humidifier and air-conditioning systems along with redecorating and memorabilia exhibits, a whole new chronological display line-up has been introduced. Starting with Hall A, the 20 vehicles on show start with a 1903 Ford Model A and move through to a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 21-200....
Trip to SASOL
FMM is currently preparing for display a Yamaha FZR1000 that was used by local fuel and energy giant Sasol to develop racing fuels and which, incidentally, has only 11 km recorded on the odometer! Adding to the excitement, plans are afoot to have a Hart 3,5-litre V10 engine as used by the Sasol Jordan F1…
Collection in action: Alfa Giulietta Sprint Veloce
Mike Monk drives a rare, sporty derivative of the classic Giulietta, Alfa Romeo’s first the model aimed at the mass market. The 110-year history of Alfa Romeo is riddled with ups and downs, yet somehow it manages to survive and maintain a charisma that marketers of rival makes could only look on with a...
On yer bike: Harley Davidson Sportster
Do the new retro bikes rekindle that truly retro ride and feeling, or are they all just about looks? FMM Curator and self-confessed motorcycle enthusiast Wayne Harley has set out to try and ride as many of the different retro-styled bikes as he can, not to directly compare them with each other, but to see...
Giro Del Vigneti tour
Members of the CIAO Club South Africa (Classic Italian Automobile Owners) will showcase their thoroughbred machines at the Franschhoek Motor Museum on Freedom Day, 27 April 2019. The cars will be on display at FMM following a tour of the Cape earlier in the day by members driving examples of classic Italian marques including Alfa…
HAGI VCCM
The hosting of the third annual HAGI Value in the Classic Car Market (VCCM) Conference South Africa takes place between the Knysna Motor Show and Jaguar Simola Hillclimb on April 30 and May 1 at Villa Castollini, overlooking the Knysna lagoon. ‘We are hugely grateful to both the Knysna Motor Show and the Jaguar Simola...
SAGP Book
Following is a short synopsis of a new book that has just been released titled Off the circuit: A small South African town makes Grand Prix history. The book was written by Glenn Hollands and is available at the Franschhoek Motor Museum, price R320. When the SA Historic Grand Prix Festival took place late…
Memorabilia: the history of road signs
FMM assistant curator Cheslynne Ruiters looks at the history of road signs… Road signs are erected at the side of or above roads to give instructions or provide information to road users. The history of road signs starts with the history of roads. The Roman Empire was the first civilization to construct roads, the first…
On yer bike: BMW’s R nineT
Do the new retro bikes rekindle that truly retro ride and feeling, or are they all just about looks? FMM Curator and self-confessed motorcycle enthusiast Wayne Harley has set out to try and ride as many of the different retro-styled bikes as he can, not to directly compare them with each other, but to see…
Collection In Action: Mercedes Benz 280SE
Mike Monk drives a rare, early example of one of Mercedes’ classy S-Class model ranges than, amazingly, was introduced over 50 years old… Launched at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show in what became a Mercedes-Benz trend, the W108 Series Mercedes-Benz raised the bar in terms of mass-production luxury saloons, not only…