28/10/2026
DID YOU KNOW? SOUTH AFRICA'S FIRST CAR HAD A RATHER UNUSUAL NICKNAME.
Let's rewind to 1896, when a Benz Velo arrived in South Africa from Germany. Imported by Pretoria businessman John Percy Hess, the car travelled by train from Port Elizabeth to Pretoria.
On 4 January 1897, crowds gathered at Berea Park in Pretoria to witness this remarkable new invention.
But just how advanced was this car for its time?
A few facts that might surprise you:
Engine: 1,045 cc, single-cylinder
Power: 1.5 horsepower (early model)
Top speed: Approximately 20 km/h (early model)
Transmission: Early versions used a two-speed belt transmission.
Imagine travelling at 20 km/h in a car that was cutting-edge technology!
But here's where the story gets even more interesting.
The car was later sold to Johannesburg coffee merchant Albert H. Jacob, who reportedly used it to promote his business. Customers who bought coffee could get a look at the extraordinary machine, which became known as “The Coffee Pot.”
Sadly, historical accounts report that the car was later destroyed in a fire.
From a pioneering horseless carriage to the vehicles on our roads today, motoring has come a long way in South Africa.
Now that's a little piece of history worth knowing.
