Author Topic: Cape Town-Luanda Drive Report (Read 4202 times)
« on: November 06, 2009, 03:19:02 pm »
I did not know where to put this, but I wanted to share this with fellow adventurers. End of June 1965 my Dad and four friends left in this car to Luanda Angola. I was about a month and a half old(maybe he left because of me!!) The car was a 1912 Dodge with wooden spoke wheels. Total duration of the trip was 2 and a half months. My father being a teacher had to take 2 months longleave. Nearly got fired when he got back because he was two weeks late. Cape Town to Windhoek took them 4 days. The Suidwester said their average speed CT to Windhoek was 35 m/h. Fuelconsumption 10mls to the gallon.Total distance if planned route were taken is 7000miles.
The last strech from Malmesbury to our farm was done at night by torch. The electrics on the car was shot!!
My father was the cook(not knowing anything about engines or tyres)two guys were tyremen(and they did have a lot of flats) and the two remaining guys the drivers and mechanics.
Just shows you our parents also did crazy things like us!!
Arriving back at night on our farm.
Offloading after two and a half months.
Newspaperclip of the Suidwester in Windhoek.
Newspaperclip in Luanda Angola.
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2009, 03:39:38 pm »
Cool! It's great to get to know your father as a whole person, not just the tired guy, back from work, behind the newspaper.
In 1965 that car was already a very valuable veteran. What became of it?
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2009, 03:44:41 pm »
Quote from: Crossed-up on November 06, 2009, 03:39:38 pm
Sadly I do not know. The owner Mr Fritz Smuts(teacher from Namibia) bought it in 1953 for R24.00. Of the 5 guys I knew only three and they have all passed away. My dad included. I know one is still allive and lives in Hentiesbay Namibia. He is in his eighties.
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2009, 03:53:28 pm »
Dit is baie cool Chris, wys jou net ons almal het maar nog daai trekker in ons.....voortrekker bedoel ek
Hopenlik sal ons kinders ook eendag hulle pelle wys erens in die hemelruim watse twee wiel goed ons gebruik het wat op petrol geloop het
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2010, 08:34:25 am »
Nou verstaan ek - dis in jou gene
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2010, 04:16:48 pm »
Dit wys jou net hoe forken gemaklik en sleg ons geraak het met die tyd. Ek twyfel of hier een van ons is wat met n nou 1960 model motorfiets eers deur die Cederberge sal ry.Ek dink jou Pa hlle het nog balle van staal gehad.
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2011, 04:40:04 pm »
I finally found him and it!!
Found the owner of the car and the car.
Mr Fritz Schuts is alive and well at 83 and lives in Outjo Namibia.
He still has the car but the engine is out and some parts are missing.
I think I should pay him a visit!
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2011, 04:45:55 pm »
Wat 'n storie!! Jy sal jou bike moet pak en 'n draai gaan maak. Oom Pagal stuur groete!
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2011, 06:16:52 pm »
Dink nou net jy kan daai bokwa aan die gang kry en hom Kaap toe ry.
Dit sal mos die sirkel mooi voltooi.
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2011, 06:23:43 pm »
Quote from: DirtRebell on March 05, 2011, 06:16:52 pm
Die kar het die trip voltooi daai tyd en toe is die manne uitmekaar en begin doodgaan. Mr Schutz is eers na sy aftrede na
Namibia en het die kar saamgevat.
Heel toevallig was n buurman van my laasweek in Outjo en hy loop die eienaar van die motor raak.
Op n weird manier in die geselskap word my pa se naam genoem.
Dis n klein wêreld en ek sal beslis die kar wil sien en mr Schutz wil ontmoet.
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2011, 08:54:48 pm »
Chris, daar is nog n jaar oor om daai kar weer aan die gang te kry en weer so n trip aan te pak. 'n Kaapstad na Luanda trip in 2012 met 'n 1912 model kar! Ek gaan saam!
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2011, 10:21:13 pm »
Quote from: Bie on March 05, 2011, 08:54:48 pm
Ek moet bieg. Die gedagte het al deur my kop geflits. n Paar maal!!
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2011, 10:31:37 pm »
Quote from: chrisL on March 05, 2011, 10:21:13 pm
Ek sal die cook wees soos jou pa was op hulle trip ! Wat 'n nice storie, en dat die ou kar nog bestaan.
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2011, 10:32:25 pm »
The reason for living..
Nice baie nice. Moenie die geskiedenis weg bere nie. Herleef dit. Dit is soos dai video paar maande terug van die pa wat die ou bike vir sy seun gelos het om oor te bou... Joune is Net n baie nicer storie.
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2011, 02:29:52 pm »
Sterkte Chris. Hou ons op hoogte!
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2011, 11:04:15 am »
I finally got some photos that were taken on the trip by Fritz Schutz the owner of the car.
Beachfront Luanda 1965.
Catching a ferry somewhere in Angola.
Tarroads must have been scarce. Fixing a flat. One of many. They were two tyres guys, two drivers and mechanics
and my father the cook. Himself not knowing anything about tyres or engines but could throw a mean curry(read unedable strong)
At times they had to throw water on the woodenspoke rims to keep the spokes swollen in the dry climate.
State of the art bridges. My father with his back to camera. I know by the size of his ears!!
My father left in pic on a ferry.
Typical Angolan bush.
Etosha national park campsite. Namatomi I think. In those days the road to Angola ran through the park.
Hopefully if my plans work out I will sit in this car this year!! Cannot wait!!
« Last Edit: April 03, 2011, 11:10:34 am by chrisL »
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2011, 05:50:31 pm »
Ongelooflike storie, Chris!
Hoe kom die planne aan om die kar terug te ry "huis toe"?
Dit sal epies wees . . .
« Reply #17 on: April 03, 2011, 06:06:08 pm »
Quote from: oo7 on April 03, 2011, 05:50:31 pm
Sal fantasties wees maar die eienaar het self drie seuns en hulle het ook baie sentiment aan die kar.
Al drie seuns woon in Namibia.
« Reply #18 on: April 03, 2011, 06:40:07 pm »
wat a lekker storie.....oortuig die seuns om die epiese trip met jou mee te maak....the next generation....
« Reply #19 on: April 03, 2011, 07:25:35 pm »
Great storie Chris!! Ek hoop die trip kom af!