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HARTENBOS NEWS - The Triumph Sports Car Club of South Africa’s members brought their best, brightest and oldest to show off in the Mossel Bay area this week.
The week-long gathering served as a celebration of the 50th anniversary since the club’s formation in 1976.
Two cars stood out among these beautifully restored vehicles: the oldest, a 1928 Triumph Super 7, and the rarest, a 1960 Triumph Italia, one of only about 330 ever built, and the only known specimen in the country.
According to the club, the Triumph TR series, produced between 1953 and 1981, was the best represented with at least 36 on show. There was also a variety of other models, including the Triumph Spitfire, GT6, Herald and Stag series. Some cars were relatively newly acquired, while others had been with their owners for many years.
Mossel Bay Advertiser met up with Knysna residents Ron Hollis and Brian Gibson, the respective proud owners of the 1928 Triumph Super 7 and 1960 Italia.
Gibson knows quite a bit of his Italia’s history, including it having been with an Italian contessa.
Brian Gibson next to his 1960 Triumph Italia. Photo: Linzetta Calitz
It also spent some time in Israel, then landed up in South Africa with the actress Jean Dell (stage name) and eventually found its way to a man who had bought it for R500.
Brian Gibson’s 1960 Triumph Italia. Photo: Linzetta Calitz
After his passing, Gibson managed to convince his widow to sell the car. It has been with him for four years now and took him about 18 months to build.
He’s a Triumph man through and through, and owns eight of these beauties.
Hollis has less of a history for his soon to be 100-year-old lady, but his ownership makes for quite the story.
He has had a classic car workshop in Knysna for nearly 20 years now. About 12 or 13 years ago, the Super 7 pitched up on a truck outside a neighbouring shop. He didn’t recognise it, but had a closer look, was intrigued by the car’s badge in front and decided he had to have it - even though he admits to not really being a vintage car person.
Hollis shows the badge that caught his attention. Photos: Linzetta Calitz“I had it for a number of years. It was taking up space and I sold it. And I think the day after I sold it, I kicked myself and thought: ‘What did you do?!’”
Ron Hollis beside his 1928 Triumph Super 7. Photo: Linzetta Calitz
As luck would have it, a chance at redemption came around. About two years ago, a friend of his spotted an ad for the car, recognising it as the one Hollis had sold. Many were vying for it, but after having explained his story to the seller, he came out on top.
* This article has been amended to reflect the anniversary as the 50th and not the 60th.
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