Style, class and recherché are some of the words that come to mind when you view a vintage car cruising along major highways.
Some of these vehicles are kept under wraps and only showcased in competitions such as Concours d'Elegance.
For car lovers, adding one of these exquisite cars to their collection is on their bucket list. Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at 5 vintage cars you might have come across on Kenyan roads.
1930 Ford Model
Showcased during the 2019 edition of the Concours d'Elegance, the model stood out for its elegance and exquisite interior.
The Ford model is owned by John Wroe, a 77-year-old Kenyan with English roots who owns one of the largest collections of vintage and classic cars.
The model dons the vintage Ford emblem, retro headlights, and classic car bumper.
During the competition, Wroe narrowly defeated his own daughter Veronica, who drove a 1934 Rolls Royce Boattail.
Wroe acquired his first vintage car at the age of 22 when he purchased a 1929 Chevrolet 6.
Currently, he boasts one of the most expensive vintage car collections.
Rolls-Royce Austin Princes classic
The vehicle elicited conversation in social circles during the official swearing-in ceremony of then-Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu in November 2021.
The limo - whose top speed is recorded at 180km/hr - has in the past recorded only two appearances on Kenyan roads with other former governors being accorded the privilege to use the prestigious car.
Reports indicate that there exists only two makes of the vintage car in Africa; one in Kenya and the other in Zimbabwe.
Hot rod
In August 2021, a debate ensued among car enthusiasts on social media after photos surfaced of a classy vintage automotive.
Some opined that the car was a Rolls Royce while others argued that it was a Ferrari.
The vehicle, nicknamed the hot rod, was built from scratch by 38-year-old Nairobi-based designer, Calvin de Souza.
While speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, he affirmed that his vehicle clocked at 280 kilometers per hour- a test run that was conducted by renowned rally driver Tejes Hirani.
"I started modifying a few cars before I built the hot rod. I started experimenting with the vintage car, 1940 Willys military jeep so that I could compete in 4x4 events synonyms with veteran rally drivers such as Ian Duncan," he stated.
1959 Volkswagen Beetle
Hailed for its interior features, the Volkswagen Beetle consists of a 4- speed manual transmission and a 1192cc 4-cylinder engine.
The vehicle also consists of a retro exterior. In the 1960s, the Beetle had a price tag of Ksh223,000.
1953 MGTF High-Performance Special
Configured for either left or right-hand drives, the 1953 MGTF is hailed as a powerful machine.
The bodywork of the car consists of a deep black finish, whilst the radiator is a work of art by itself. The interior has custom leather and the side curtains fit the windows to a tee.
The engine consists of a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder engine with the vehicle clocking at 96 kilometres per hour.
