Page 128 - Bulletin 9 2005

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The question of speed and safety continued to trouble the R.A.C. and the City Council,
particularly in the Muizenberg – Kalk Bay area because of the narrow, twisting, rising and

falling character of the road. The R.A.C. favoured an approach which would see it taking
responsibility for disciplining its own members, rather than have the Council impose a

speed limit which would inevitably lead to “the abominable practice of trapping”. Speaking

in favour of a speed limit local resident Mr. Cooper stated: “It was hair-raising to see the
speed at which cars flashed by irrespective of traffic from the side roads and of pedestrians

leaving the station. Simply because there was no speed limit drivers rushed along the road
and left it to chance whether people got out of the way or not. In the majority of cases it

would be impossible for the car to pull up to avert an accident”. After much consideration
the Council decided by a large majority to impose a speed limit of 15 mph between

Albertyn Road, Muizenberg, and the municipal boundary at Kalk Bay. (Motoring in South

Africa and The R.A.C. Journal, May 1919).

One of the early cars in Kalk Bay at this time, a 1911 Talbot, was owned by the Mills

family of Pentrich House, St. James. (Fig. 3.22)

Motoring for the masses

By the late twenties automobilism had taken off. On the international motoring scene Henry
Ford unveiled his second car for the masses in 1927, the Model A, which superseded his

1908 Model T. His stated aim was: “I shall build a car for the great multitude ….. so low in

price that no man ….. will be unable to own one – and enjoy with his family the blessing of
hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces.” And in this he succeeded. In Cape Town

increasing numbers of its people owned cars. From 1929 annual motor shows became big
attractions, providing opportunities for all the dealers to present their latest models. The

shows were held in a large building in Paarden Eiland bedecked with flags and name
boards, all to the music of a band. (Figs 3.23 & 3.24.) Often dealers presented a specially-

imported prestige model to local personalities. (Fig. 3.25) To the regrets of many, by