Page 110 - Bulletin 9 2005

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lady members. Numerous observations and speeches were made. The Hon. Secretary noted
prophetically that “As a healthful, interesting, and fascinating pastime motoring would take

a very high place.” Rudyard Kipling, representing the Royal Automobile Club of Great
Britain, in a humorous speech, observed that “……... from his small experience of the

Muizenberg road, he did not think the last word had been said about the great South

African car of the future. He did not think the car would be quick - he did not think it
needed to be quick, but it was needed to be sound, dust proof, and capable of wandering

through a drift on occasion even though that drift contained about three feet of water. This
problem he submitted to their intelligence. They had the country to experiment upon, they

had many and various makes of cars, and he should say that unless they equipped their
motor cars well with springs, a good many of their cars would be in the repair shops. That

was about all the advice he had to offer them on this momentous question except one thing

- and it was this, never pay more than £1 for a dog. (Loud laughter). Anything beyond that
was blackmail and ruin, and spelled bankruptcy. (Renewed laughter).” (Cape Times,

24/2/1903).

Later that year speed trials were held at Groote Schuur, and then on 7 November the first

One Hundred Miles Reliability and Consumption Trials to Houw Hoek and back. Fifteen
cars participated, of which only two, a Lanchester and a Panhard, managed non-stop runs.

The fastest ascent of Sir Lowry’s Pass was made by a 6hp Populaire in a time of 12 min. 19
sec. – slow cars took up to 35 min. A subsequent Trial was held in 1904 in which 20 cars

participated, 18 reaching Houw Hoek within the stipulated time. Thereafter this became a

regular event. The performances at these trials were used actively in the promotion of car
sales. (Fig. 3.5)

Meanwhile, on the Atlantic coast, a passable road had been cut through close to the sea

south to Hout Bay. Named the Victoria Drive, its wonderful scenery proved an enormous
attraction but few citizens owned cars. The pioneer motor firm of Benjamin & Lawton

therefore operated a fleet of hire cars with drivers to take holiday-makers and tourists on