My enjoyment of motoring has been blessed with good fortune, thanks to a wonderful husband who ate, drank and lived for vintage motoring. Through his wonderful hobby we were able to see many parts of the world, as we partook in many international tours. We also made the most wonderful friends, having met them on the various rallies.

The first international was in 1978, a spider rally based in Harrogate, England. It never stopped raining all week, but we were fortunate to have a closed car which we borrowed from a Scottish friend, a 1927 Rolls Royce. Pity the folk who were exposed to the elements!

In 1982 our steed was a 4.3 Alvis (also borrowed) for the Viking Fjord Rally in Norway. It was the time of sanctions and we were not very popular.

1983 took us to the first Fiva Rally in the USA. For that we were lent a 1929 SS Mercedes. It started in Tarrytown, New York and took the route along the Hudson to Vermont. It was “Fall” with the most breathtaking autumn colours.

Mercedes sponsored a rally in Germany, celebrating the 100 years of the car and for that we were lent a 1928 SS Mercedes from a friend in Hamburg. There were over 400 entrants. And did it rain, non-stop all week. The final ball, held in the Casino at Baden-Baden, was an event never to be forgotten. This was in 1984.

In the following years we were fortunate to be able to take a car from our own collection over for events. My husband and son took an Alfa, 1934 7-series, over for the Mille Miglia in Italy, flew the little car over with Luxavia Airways, and drove it down to Milan where they partook in the very grueling “race” of 1 000 miles in 24 hours, starting and ending in Brescia. The normal traffic is not stopped and the whole route is packed solid with onlookers. The car was kept in Italy and the following year we used it to take part in the “Schlosser und Burgenfahrt” Rally in Germany. This was a rally by invitation and every night was spent in a palace or castle. There were 28 participants and I think Waldie and I were the only people without a title! The following year we also went on that same rally, but in a 1934 4½ litre Invicta which Waldie and my son also partook in on that year’s Mille Miglia.

In 1994 we were invited to Spain to take part in a Spanish rally sponsored by the Ritz Hotels and the government. This was purely for Hispano Suizas and there were 51 entrants. All we had to do was to get our very lovely 1926 Hispano Suiza across to Plymouth where we all started. We all went by sea to Santander and then for 13 days made a circular trip via Madrid and back to Santander. We stayed in the most fabulous Paradors and, of course, in the Ritz.

We found the route very hot and dry with little villages completely deserted. It was the time of sanctions and we actually entered Spain without a visa; in the confusion of 51 cars being offloaded from the ship, no officials asked for anyone’s visas.
 

Then came two wonderful, wonderful rallies in Austria. For the first Alpenfahrt we used the 1934 Alvis. The following year we were invited to bring our very exotic 1935 Austro Daimler Bergmeister over for the rally celebrating the 100 year of the car in Austria. What a thrill driving in the open car over the Gross Glockner pass! We had done the pass from the other side the previous year in the little Alfa which is a closed car. The final day we drove in convoy from Baden into Vienna and the prize giving was held in front of the Schönbrunn Palace, after having lunched at the beautiful Hotel Bristol with its Art Nouveau interior. In 1997 we partook in an International Rally in New Zealand with 1500 participants from all around the world.

Waldie and his 1935 Austro Daimler Bergmeister on Gross Glockner, Austria

Waldie was fortunate to be invited to be co-driver on two London to Brighton runs. His friend from Hamburg had the oldest car, a 1896 Benz and was the first car off. What a thrill to see all the oldies, all made before 1994, chugging along.

Since Etnique Travel started 5 years ago we made our bookings through them, and I can only speak very highly of service handled with such friendly efficiency. The staff are, without exception, all extremely friendly and give their best.

Waldie passed away in November 2001. He was well known in Vintage circles all over the world. He judged quite a few concours events overseas, and was regarded as one of the most knowledgeable men on the subject of old cars. My family and I have kept his collection of 42 cars and, as he requested, started a museum here at our home.

And so, with the passing of my husband, you can see what an interesting life we led. But all good things come to an end …..

The Hispano was always my husband’s favourite car and he used to say that he wanted to take it to heaven with him one day. How I wish that I could get the car to him!

- Maynie Greyvensteyn
Bloemfontein