11 01 2011Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud 20th Anniversary
The deep roots of Peugeots in Africa and their integrated part of motoring history on the African continent left a rich heritage which the Peugeot enthusiast cannot ignore. In August 1990 a handful of these enthusiasts gathered in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa and CLUB PEUGEOT AFRIQUE DU SUD was officially founded.
With Peugeot celebrating 200 years of manufacturing in 2010, Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud thought it fit to host an international event on a small scale in order to celebrate 20 years of Peugeot Friendship, Peugeot Adventure and Peugeot Pleasures in South Africa. With numerous international club contacts from Austria to Australia, Sweden to Spain, Breukelen to Beaune, Verona to Versailles, a new world of Peugeot friendship has opened which is still getting bigger, better and wider.
Over the weekend of 29 – 31 October 2010 most of the dedicated Cape Town members of the club welcomed Peugeot friends from as far afield as The Netherlands, Belgium and France, with local members arriving from all corners of South Africa. In true South African spirit they participated in a packed program which included road trips and visits to historic places in and around the picturesque Cape Town / Cape Peninsula and the Winelands of the Western Cape. The Gala Diner, attended by Cape Town journalists and their partners, saw the Managing Director of Peugeot Motors South Africa, Mr. Jean-Francois Bacos and his wife as guests of honor. Mr. Bacos was presented with a club trophy for display in the company’s boardroom.
Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud are indeed most grateful to Peugeot Motors South Africa and their dealers for their ongoing support, which underline the importance of recognizing the true spirit of the rich Peugeot history and acknowledging the role that history plays in modern times. During the past few years the Club has become closely affiliated to Peugeot Motors South Africa. This relationship has resulted in several official visits to the club by top officials and the club has been invited to various launches and auto shows.
Local auto magazine CAR published an article on the 20th Anniversary of CLUB PEUGEOT Afrique du Sud supported by an image of the first Peugeot 403 to be printed on a front cover of a South African car magazine in November 1957. The color scheme was exceptional and a first for South Africa. Color schemes on the South African Peugeot 403 differed from those in Europe. (See photo)
Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud is dedicated to the preservation of Peugeot cars, the fostering of friendship between Peugeot enthusiasts and to extend the interest in Peugeot vehicles and the rich history of the marque. Peugeot models in the Club date back as far as the 1920’s, with the largest concentration of models coming from the 1970’s and 1980’s – an era that lives on in the memories of numerous South African families as the most famous time for Peugeot in South Africa.
But it was the Peugeot 404 that probably did most to establish the brand in the hearts of the South African public. No wonder that today this model still has the highest following between club members. According to CAR magazine, the first CAR road test on the Peugeot 404 appeared in February 1962, in which the saloon – registered CA 404 (CA is the registration code for Cape Town) – was described as being “… a clear demonstration of the trend” towards improved safety in vehicle manufacture, citing the 404’s “stopping power and handling characteristics” as primary reasons for the accolade. The 404 was classified as being in the moderate luxury bracket” – it sold for R2 110 at the coast and R2 140 inland – the two prices being common practice at the time due to transportation costs from the harbors. CAR test summary claimed “… this is quite the handsomest car to come from the old-established Peugeot factory in recent years”. CAR tested some 16 derivatives of the Peugeot 404 up to 1979 when the 404 was discontinued in South Africa (later than in the rest of the world).
It will always be a privilege to be associated with a brand so rich in history like Peugeot. It is indeed an honour for us, the members of CLUB PEUGEOT Afrique du Sud, to share in 200 years of inspiration from Peugeot and 20 years of friendship amongst our dedicated members. Thank you L’Aventure Peugeot and Peugeot Motors South Africa for the ongoing support in which you underline the importance of your deep roots.
Nous avons confiance en PEUGEOT!
Johan Loubser
Vice Chairman: CLUB PEUGEOT Afrique du Sud