Safety & Security                                                                                                                 

There is absolutely no danger looming for you on day drives to Cape Point, into the Winelands or along the Garden Route. Crime in South Africa is an issue which tends to feature rather prominently in the foreign media. South Africa does have a high crime rate, we certainly won’t dispute that. It is worth knowing, however, that crimes are primarily committed in the townships, at night, and above all during weekends under the influence of alcohol. It is also good to keep in mind that Cape Town is not Johannesburg and that the distance between the two cities is almost 2000 km. Let us take a closer look from the perspective of someone who is out and about with a Motor Classic vintage car or convertible.

Car hijacking, with and without passengers: if you are driving a new BMW or any type of luxury car which criminals misappropriate on instruction, just as in Europe, then you may indeed be at risk. But vintage cars and convertibles are simply no desirable objects for this kind of crime.

Theft from cars: simply see to it that you do not leave anything lying in the car that can be spotted from the outside. Instead you may as well keep the glove compartment open for anybody to peep in, and you can even keep the car’s doors unlocked. If they want to do some unauthorized testing of the seats, let them! But if a video camera which represents a labourer’s annual income beckons attention, then the temptation to get hold of it is, of course, considerable. Likewise it is rather tempting to take a closer look at the contents of a bag which has been left in the car.

Handbag-grabbing from a convertible when the top is down: keep your handbag in the boot or next to your feet. So far nothing has ever been grabbed from any of our cars, but clients have occasionally enquired about the risk. When traffic lights turn red at intersections you may be approached by various street vendors who regard the intersection in question as their business location, so to speak. They sell newspapers, fruit, crafts and other items. Make a friendly gesture of refusal if you don’t want anything - it is usually respected. These vendors can be quite insistent, but they certainly mean no harm and they are just trying to make an honest living. Buy The Big Issue magazine, if you have the opportunity. It provides an interesting read and the proceeds are for the homeless.

For a large part of the population a vintage or classic car holds little attraction as a desirable possession. You might even be pitied for driving such an old car instead of something new and flashy. On the other hand you will find that the beauty of your ‘old car’ is hugely appreciated by many.

The areas, which you pass in the Winelands, on your way to Cape Point or Hermanus and along the Garden Route, are definitely safe - see our recommendations for tours. We do, however, advise you not to enter the townships, especially at night, next to the N2 highway around the international airport. Just remember that back home you probably wouldn’t venture into a high-rise estate for the socially disadvantaged either.
We are happy to say that in the more than three years of our existence we have had the good luck that none of our guests have lost anything through theft, had the car broken into or even stolen. The European craze of scratching the paintwork of parked cars for the mere thrill of it is unknown in South Africa. So, let go of your fears and relish the car dream provided by Motor Classic.