The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia in the magnificent setting of L’Ormarins.Across the length and breadth of Southern Africa, only one place can adequately portray the evolution of the automobile, The Franschhoek Motor Museum. The museum’s collection exceeds 220 vehicles – ranging from a 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo supercar – and more than 80 exhibits will be on view at any one time, displayed in four de-humidified halls with a total floor area of 2700 m², and presented in chronological order.
MERCEDES-BENZ
540K CABRIOLET ,1936
Straight 8 engine with selectable supercharging
Vacuum-Assisted hydraulic brakes all round
Unique beige leather dashboard and matching hood
1938 wedding gift from Hitler to Egipt’s King Farouk
Engine supercharged 5 401 cc ,8 cylinders SOHC
Power 86-130kW,3500 r/min
Transmission manual four speed handrat
Max speed 170 km/h
90% of the car is original
CHEVROLET
“SUPERIOR ” PICK UP TRUCK 1926
Following the success of Chevrolets “Superior” passenger car range ,General Motors in 1926 introduced a sturdy commercial chassis ,using the same mechanical specification as the car .As was the case in those days ,the customer bought the rolling chassis ,installing the load bed and cab according to his requirements.However ,since the success of the Dodge picks – ups of the mid 1920’s,sporting factory built cabs,Chevrolet also offered a closed cab model in their 1926 range .
Four cylinders ,overhead valves ,2803 cm3
35 HP,1900 r/ min
Three speed usynchronized gearbox
FORD. MODEL A pick up
1930
The model A was available in a pick up form almost immediately after the introduction of the model A sedan.There were two body styles to choose from ,the 76 A, a soft top roadster pick up and the 82A which was the closed cab form of the pick up.The pick up was later followed by an enclosed panel van that was also available in a deluxe model.The production of the model A pick up came to an end in 1931.
Four cylinder L- head design engine
3286,2 cm3,40HP,2200 r/min
Three speed gearbox
Mechanical brakes on all wheels
CITROEN “TRACTION AVANT “
1954
The man behind the car was Andre Citroen ,who had within a short period of time become one of France’s major motor manufactures.The Traction ,as the French lovingly called it ,was in production from 1934 to 1956.
By the way – in England it is known as the Light Fifteen after its taxable RAC horspower
Four cylinders ,overhead valves
1911cm3 ,56 HP,4250 r/min
Three speed gearbox .2nd and 3rd gears synchronized,with shift lever on dashboard ,front wheel drive
Full unit construction
Hydraulic drum brakes all raund
BUGATTI
TYPE 23
1925
The type 23 Bugatti is a touring version of the extremely successful Type 13,nicknamed “Bresica” after the resounding 1,2,3,4 victory in the voiturette class of the Italian Grand Prix of 1921.They were indecently fans for their day – even the touring version being able to maintain 120 km/ h all day long .The Bresica Bugatti and its derivatives were in production from 1922 until 1926
4 cylinders in line ,single overhead camshaft ,16 valves ,1496 cm3
40 HP ,3500 r /min
Top speed 120 km/ h
4 speed manual transmission
LA ZEBRE
TYPE A 1909
This French car was designed by Jules Salomon who later designed the first Citroen .The first 50 cars built in 1909 were manufactured for LE ZEBRE at the Unic factory in Paris .The LE ZEBRE is a car with a musical connection ,as the owner of the factory Jacques Bizet was the son of Georges Bizet composer of the opera Carmen .They were produced from 1909 to 1931.
Single cylinder side valves
601 cm3 ,5 HP ,1600 r/min
Two speed gearbox ( three speed box optional at extra cost )
Top speed “slightly faster than man running “
CHEVROLET 1925
SUPERIOR TOURER
Launched in1923 .1925 model known as series K
Built on GM “A”chassis shared with others GM makes
Electric starter .11″ rear brakes
Engine 2802 cm3 ,4 cylinders OHV
19,4 kW ,2000r/min
MERCEDES-BENZ
540K Cabriolet B 1938″
ROLLS-ROYCE
20/25 1935
On the effects of the economic depression of the early 1930 was a less formal lifestyle ,even among the very wealthy .Instead of being driven by a chauffeur in a lordly Phanthom .The wealthy person drove himselfe .Further successful businessman and professional people ,who had no experience of any army of servants ,and therefore ,no chauffeurs,preferred a smaller car than the Phantom if they wanted to move upmarket.The Roll- Royce 20/25 successor to the 20 ,was an admirable choice for the owner – driver .As well made as the bigger car ,it was still the epitome of dignified refinement
Six cylinders ,overhead valves
3699cm3
Four speed gearbox with synchromesh on 3 rd and 4 th,shift lever on right
Servo assisted ,mechanical brakes all round
One shot central lubrication
