Vintage Pavement Photo Shoot

Classic 1972-1973 Ford Fairlane, parked outside Chicken Kwasa in the  township of Soshanguve, Pretoria

@ROBERT_MABUSELA

It`s not every day that you`re at the right place at the right time, with your equipment and the subject is ready for an unplanned photo shoot.

After a long day of attending lectures back to back, I left campus to go and meet up with a member of the Soshanguve Spinning Kings Bongani Makhubo in Shoshanguve block H. Walking out the gate of the Tshwane University of Technology`s Soshanguve North Campus I glanced in the opposite direction that I was supposed to be travelling towards and I spotted from far what I thought was a Plymouth valiant.

The subject for the pavement photo shoot was Second Generation 1972-1973 Ford Fairlane 500, this particular Fairlane was the 135 model range. The two tone classic car had a white top roof followed through by a Maroon coated body with chrome bumpers, grill and trimmings. The twin exhaust pipes feeding out of the V8 engine, are reminiscent of the times of the Ford V8`s during the 1970`s.

According to information adapted from a Wikipedia search result, the Australian-designed ZF series Fairlane was launched in April 1972, with swoopier bodywork, but there were criticisms that it looked too much like a four-headlamp version of the basic Falcon. The ZF Fairlanes were joined by an even more upscale LTD in August 1973, with hidden headlamps and vinyl roof. Model names remained the same (Custom and 500), as did the engine choices, as the previous model year. The 1973 ZF also saw the last manual transmission; afterwards, all Fairlanes would be automatics.

The brown Interior of this particular Fairlane has an authentic quality feel to it, pretty much what is missing from cars produced in the 21^st century. Looking at the texture, quality of stitching and the leather used to cover the seats, one could closely associate the upholstery to be handmade (see interior pictures below)

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Interior Pictures

Dashboard, no changes except for front loader CD player

Quality stitched rear seats

Driver door panel

SA Parliament home to German brands

The big three Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz are the usual suspects parked outside the National Assembly in Cape Town

ROBERT MABUSELA

The image of the state is very important, it also should be maintained and improved, without price tags presentation is key. Members of Parliament or should I say the “Big Spenders” are those who have no choice but to hold up the image of the state.

I had the opportunity to observe some of the ways big spenders represent our country through their individual images, from tailor made suites, watches and most importantly their vehicles. Parked outside the South African National Assembly in the city of Cape Town, one witnessed what taste Members of Parliament have when coming to the cars they drive. The South African Parliament is invaded with German executive sedans and various other vehicles that may be spotted in blue light convoys.

Yet again Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz are the brands of choice, parked right before the first step leading into the National Assembly were an Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes Benz ML. This is when I knew that the big spenders mean business, opposite the entrance were three other executive saloons parked but this time with the absence of one from the German big three. The executive saloons that were parked were Audi’s A6, a BMW 5 series and Toyota`s luxurious Lexus IS 460, which invaded the German territory. After seeing this I notice the competition there isn`t  just at the parliament parking, which arguably maybe similar to parking lots around top business empires around South Africa. 

Members of Parliament and various other Political figures may be the same but seeing a Lexus parked amongst the “Big three” posed a question if they all are big spenders?.

Maintaining the image of the state is important and although it is not mentioned in their contracts but it is part and parcel of the Political scene. The Parliamentary motoring scene is interesting and shows us which brands are most preferred by the members of the state.

If you ever get a chance to become a Member of Parliament make sure you go big, buy within the big three but never rule out the “under dogs” which are looking to break into the parliament parking. 

German Territory, from this view only one out of the nine vehicles parked outside the National Assembly is not a German Brand.

Caostal Motor Scene vs Inland

Side view of the Second generation (1953–1956) Ford F100, spotted opposite Amalfi Executive on Regend rd Suites in Cape Town

ROBERT MABUSELA

Different parts of our country are known to have different motoring cultures, living in Gauteng I’ve always wondered how the motoring scene in the Western Cape is and if one can put it up against  GP`s Motoring scene.

A question that has always been on the motoring section of my brain is which of the two provinces has the best motoring scene, can they be compared? or do they have different scenes?. Walking around the streets of Sea Point one will come across modern cars, old school and various imports that would make you question your motoring knowledge.

Down Regend rd parallel parked across Amalfi Executive Suites, I came across an American hot rod. Known as bakkies in South Africa, the American three seater pickup truck was a hot rod that I had never seen before. Ask me today and all I know is it’s a ford, but after a google search on the Ford F series i came across all the info one needed. So back to the question at hand which province has the best motoring scene, in my opinion the Gauteng and Western Province can’t be compared. In the streets of Gauteng parking lots are filled with the latest models, or should I say expected models.

 On the other hand the Western Province has a combination of the latest models plus executive cars. In Gauteng one would know what to expect whilst in Cape Town walking down the streets is an adventure, plus a reminder of how much more knowledge petrol heads still need to acquire. Mainly about classic cars, old school and hot rods to complete your historical motoring syllabus. Around the City of Cape Town one can find a variety of dealerships, from main stream dealerships like Audi, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota only to name a few. Executive dealerships like Lamborghini and Austin Martin where customers usually have to flex their cheque books are no stranger to the coastal city.

Now to choose between the two, Gauteng is a fast paced province, where the latest models fly off the showroom and on to the streets in no time. Cape Town is more chilled like the vehicles you spot, from hot rods to classic cars and executive sports cars that are seen on the street, usually travelling at speeds below 60km/h. My decision sways  in favour of the mother city, it possesses the same motoring scene as that of the capital city plus the extra variety in terms of old school classic cars as well as hot rods from the times of our grand if not great grandfathers.

More picture views of the Ford F100 second generation F series