THE official inauguration of the brand new Old Wheelers Club House in Olympia was held on Saturday, surrounded by an ambience filled with old timer memorabilia, exotic veteran vehicles, and a well thought out facility filled with club members, sponsors and supporters who made it all happen.
The modern design N$5.5-million club house facilities which was 20 years in the making, was the result of years of hard work, fund raising and Old Wheeler events, organized by all those who are passionate about the preservation of vintage cars.
After years of planning on January 26th, 2013, the soil turning ceremony prompted the building committee and various members to put their shoulder to the wheel and make the almost impossible dream come true, which was inaugurated on Saturday as a mark in automotive history in this country.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Old Wheelers Club House, a proud Chairperson Eric Detering who has been nine years in the ‘hot seat’, mentioned that there are also future plans to develop a museum on the erf, which will be phase 2 of this fantastic project.
He pointed out that the objective of the Club House is to encourage interest, ownership, use, restoration and preservation of motor vehicles older than twenty-five (25) years. In addition to this, the Old Wheelers Club House will maintain the status as the official body regulating the Vintage and Veteran and Classic motor vehicle fraternity in Namibia, as defined in the objects of the Club’s Constitution.
Around 1994 the Namibian Government announced the Old Wheelers Club as the “official authority” on vintage vehicles in this country.
On the 17th of June 1986 an inauguration meeting was held in Windhoek to discuss the possible formation of a club for pre- 1961 engine propelled vehicles in the then South West Africa.
An ad-hoc committee was appointed to investigate the various implications of establishing a club and on the 15th of July 1986 the first annual general meeting was held and the following persons where voted into position. Peter Breitenstein ( Chairman) who went on and stayed in this position for nearly 19 years, with Uwe Sack( Vice-Chairman) , Steward Lemon (Secretary), Klaus Sutholt (Treasurer), with Peter von Flotow, Steve Hirst and Sepp Thalmeier as member of the executive committee.
Founding member of the Namibian Old Wheeler’s Club Peter Breitenstein, was present for this auspicious occasion. He was the man whose vision to start a club for vintage vehicles, originally planted the seed and layed the foundation for Namibia to have their own Old Wheelers Club House nearly three decades ago.
The first official outing was on the 6th of July 1986 and the first official rally, a regularity event, sponsored by Shell took place in October 1987. Since then many events have taken place with many sponsors assisting the Old Wheelers Club over the years, with Standard Bank being a longest supporting sponsor.
Also in 1986 the Old Wheelers Club showed that they not only cared about their old vehicles but that they were also mindful of their social responsibilities and held a fun outreach involving the residence of old age homes in Windhoek.
The Day of the Old Wheeler is now celebrated every year in August, when owners of an array of exotic old times are polished up for all to see and enjoy. It is also a special day to honour a member who is finished an old wheeler and to receiving their dating certificate.
Currently there are over 250 veteren vehicles that are listed in the Old Wheelers Club, with the oldest vehicle a 1926 Dodge, being one of the wide range of restored old timers including Pick-up’s, convertibles, luxury saloons, sedans to motorbikes.
By Donna Collins