One highlight of our stay in Gqeberha was visiting the St Croix Motor Museum and meeting its passionate owner and curator, Eben de Vos, a true petrolhead who has devoted decades to collecting, preserving, and celebrating South Africa’s automotive heritage. His collection also honours Port Elizabeth’s long-standing role as one of the country’s major automotive manufacturing centres.
The museum is a private collection featuring about 80 vintage, antique, and specialist automobiles, with the oldest vehicles dating to 1901 and the collection spanning into the 1960s. Highlights include a beautiful 1930 Chevrolet Sports Roadster. The cars are accompanied by motoring memorabilia, spare parts, industrial artefacts, and other historical objects, including vintage parking meters donated by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
What made our visit particularly special was that Eben personally guided us through his collection, sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, and the stories behind the vehicles. It was a privilege to meet someone who has invested so much time, energy and passion into keeping this part of South Africa’s industrial history alive.
Unfortunately, Eben’s story is not only about classic cars and automotive heritage. He has also faced difficult disputes over the future and location of his collection, including eviction challenges involving publicly linked premises, despite having invested substantially in repairs and improvements. He has campaigned publicly, engaged with local authorities, and reached out to the media and community to secure a permanent home for the museum.
It is difficult not to admire the determination of someone who continues to fight to preserve such a valuable collection. Museums like this are more than places to display old cars; they preserve the stories of the people, industries and communities that helped shape a country. We sincerely hope Eben receives the long-term support and stable home his collection deserves.
A big thank you to Eben de Vos for his warm welcome, his time and the private tour. Meeting passionate people like him is one of the most rewarding parts of travelling—especially when their dedication helps preserve a piece of history for future generations.
