Classic Cars in South Africa

Make	Isotta Fraschini	History
Year	1922	ex Parry Thomas, sold to the son of Sir Charles Newbury, a Director of De beers and shipped to South Africa in the 1920s. Discovered on the Newberry farm, Prynnsberg, in the Eastern Free State in the 1950s by Bob Johnston. Acquired by Waldie Greyvensteyn in 1957 for £5 and completely restored over four years. Also on the farm were two edwardian Lorraine-Dietrich's (one later acquired by George Huddlestone, now in the Greyvensteyn Collection), a Sunbeam and a 1925 Case Sedan (since lost). The car is now part of the Franschhoek Motor Museum collection. More photos can be found here and here
Model	Tipo 8
Chassis No.
Engine No.
Coachbuilder	Cowley Coachworks
Body Style	Tourer
Colours
Registration Numbers	**-501	References	SATC1975; Classic Car Africa 7/2 (photo), 2014/15 Dec/Jan; Automobilist 3/3, 22/2; Jhb Fest Rally 1964;

Make	Isotta Fraschini	History
Year	1925	Long chassis with semi spinto engine. Rebodied by Corsica in the 1930s by the owner, an English person who wintered in South Africa. Used early post war in South Africa for launching gliders near Umhlanga Rocks, Natal. The car was in a bad state of repair and was quite rusty, though the engine was quite good. Rollie Fowler-Brown and his brother purchased the car around 1949 for £160 and drove it back to Johannesburg, where the car was used for a few years. The car was then stripped down,with each part being meticulously labeled and packed into boxes. The restoration was not started until 1980 after Rollie had retired to Knysna. Still owned by Rollie in Knysna in 1993. Later acquired by someone in the Netherlands. Shown at Pebble Beach in 2012. Offered on auction by Barrett Jackson in 2013, sold for US$935,000. More photos can be found here
Model	Tipo 8A
Chassis No.	720
Engine No.
Coachbuilder	Corsica
Body Style	Roadster
Colours
Registration Numbers	CX-19659/SAF, DM-22-85/NET	References	V&V Mag 8/12; Barrett Jackson

Make	Isotta Fraschini	History
Year	1928	Originally purchased by Sir Joseph Robertson, the Mining Magnate of Cape Town. Still in the family in 1979, when owned by his Son, Count Labia. Laid up in 1934 after covering only 52 000 km. "Discovered" in 1959 by Greig Forsyth and Bob Johnston. Restored by Ken Williams in the 1970s.
Model	Tipo 8A
Chassis No.
Engine No.
Coachbuilder	Cesare Sala
Body Style	Limousine
Colours
Registration Numbers	CA-2445	References	Photo KRS Archive

Copyright © Wayne M. Kennerley 2026

A number of photographs used on this website are from unknown sources, if you feel an image used may be one of your own please contact the webmaster below.

Webpage by WMK Designs - Contact Webmaster