South Africa’s rich motoring heritage will roar to life on Saturday, July 12, as the Creative Rides Winter Auction takes centre stage in Bryanston. A celebration of V8 power and local engineering brilliance, the event promises to be a standout on the collector car calendar, with a carefully curated line-up of 40 classic and collectible vehicles—many with unmistakable South African DNA.
Headlining the auction are two of the most revered home-grown performance cars ever to grace local roads and racetracks: the 1971 Ford Capri Perana V8 and the 1973 Chevrolet Firenza Can Am. These two titans not only defined a golden era of South African motorsport, but they also encapsulate the innovation and ambition of the country’s most storied engineers.
A Basil Green Masterpiece: 1971 Ford Capri Perana V8
Developed by the legendary Basil Green, the Capri Perana V8 remains a defining icon of South Africa’s performance car legacy. The example crossing the block—BG No. 126—is as authentic as they come, complete with matching chassis stampings, factory-widened Rostyle wheels, and Basil Green’s hallmark cooling modifications. Under the bonnet lies the same thunderous V8 that made headlines in the early ’70s for outpacing European exotics, delivering 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 228 km/h.
The Capri Perana wasn’t just a fast car—it was a motorsport weapon, earning accolades on South African circuits and on the street. For collectors, this auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire a factory-validated piece of that history.
A Racing Rival Reborn: 1973 Chevrolet Firenza Can Am
If the Perana was a street-legal rocket, then the Firenza Can Am was its track-born nemesis. Conceived by racer and engineer Basil van Rooyen, the Can Am was built to homologate the fearsome Z28 302ci V8 for local competition. Just 100 were made, and few remain. The example on offer retains its correct chassis plate, signature Can Am cues—such as the alloy rear wing and black-on-white livery—and now houses a period-correct 350ci V8.
Originality is increasingly elusive in Can Am circles, making this a unicorn among enthusiasts. For collectors seeking a rare and evocative slice of South African motorsport history, this lot may prove unrepeatable.
V8 Muscle with Local Flair
Complementing the headline acts are two more uniquely South African interpretations of Aussie-born legends. The 1972 Ford Fairmont GT, based on the Falcon GT, arrives with just 37,000 km indicated mileage, a pristine white finish, factory shaker hood scoop, and chrome GT hubcaps. A quintessential grand tourer of its time, this example represents one of the cleanest survivors in existence.
On the Chevrolet side of the spectrum is a standout 1972 Chevrolet SS, derived from the Holden Monaro GTS. Finished in striking orange and powered by a 350ci V8, this 27,800 km example exemplifies South Africa’s distinctive muscle car era, when local adaptation met international inspiration.
Citi Golf Mk I LTD 003 – The People’s Icon, Perfectly Preserved
One of the most fascinating lots isn’t a high-horsepower bruiser but a humble hatch with deep cultural roots: the 2010 Volkswagen Citi Golf Mk I LTD 003. Marking the end of an era, this is the third of the final 1,000 Citi Golfs ever built, with just 29 km on the odometer. With its Mk I alloy wheels, heritage GT striping, and untouched interior, it remains as fresh as the day it left the factory.
Cars No. 001 and 002 are locked away in VW’s museum collections in Wolfsburg and Uitenhage, respectively—making this the only LTD model from the top trio available to private buyers. For Volkswagen enthusiasts and South African car lovers, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Two-Wheeled Icons: Honda CB1100R RB & RC
Rounding out the offering is a brace of rare Japanese superbikes: the 1981 Honda CB1100R RB and 1982 RC. Built in limited numbers for homologation racing, these machines were among the finest endurance bikes of their time. The RB comes equipped with solid-spoke gold wheels and a race-spec tailpiece, while the RC features a dual-seat setup and full fairing. Fewer than 100 CB1100Rs were imported into South Africa, ensuring their appeal to both motorcycle collectors and racing purists.
A Celebration of South African Ingenuity
Creative Rides CEO Kevin Derrick reflected on the significance of the upcoming sale:
“The ingenuity of South African manufacturers during the ’70s and ’80s continues to amaze me. These cars and bikes were not only world-class for their time, but today they represent a unique blend of local heritage and global desirability. From V8 muscle to homologation specials, we’re proud to present vehicles that are both historically significant and emotionally charged for collectors.”
Event Details
The Creative Rides Winter Auction will take place on Saturday, July 12, at 11:00 AM at the Creative Rides showroom, Main Road, Bryanston. For collectors unable to attend in person, the auction will be streamed live with remote bidding options available globally.
Don’t miss the chance to own a chapter of South Africa’s automotive story—where passion, performance, and provenance converge in unforgettable metal.
