Cars Built In Africa

 Is Africa a Forgotten Land?

Despite its rich history and cultural significance, Africa often finds itself overlooked in discussions about car manufacturing. While Europe, Asia, and the Americas dominate the automotive industry, Africa's contributions are frequently side-lined. However, this oversight belies the continent's significant role in car production. Numerous car models, and even designs, have emerged from African soil, though they may not enjoy the same global recognition as their counterparts from other regions. A closer examination reveals a diverse array of vehicles crafted on the continent, adding unique flavours to the automotive landscape. To appreciate Africa's automotive heritage, one must delve into its history, exploring the models that graced its roads before the turn of the 21st century. Although newer African manufacturers and the rising prominence of countries like Morocco in car production are excluded from this discussion, it's essential to acknowledge their growing influence. In presenting these cars alphabetically, we aim to shed light on Africa's automotive legacy, dispelling the notion of it being a forgotten land in the realm of car manufacturing.

1. Alfa Romeo Giulietta - RSA

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta underwent modifications in South Africa, where unique versions tailored to the local market were occasionally introduced. One such example was the Group One variant of the second-generation Giulietta, featuring a 1.8-litre Twin Cam engine that underwent enhancements by Alfa specialist Sampie Bosman. Bosman's adjustments, including modifications to the cylinder head and camshaft reprofiling, resulted in increased power compared to the standard 2-litre model. Additionally, Bosman played a key role in the development of a special homologation version of the GTV6, aimed at competing with BMWs in circuit racing. This version boasted an engine capacity of 3 litres, surpassing the capacity of any GTV6 produced in Italy by half a litre.

©Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car

2. Austin Apache - RSA

The vehicle internally referred to as ADO16, and more commonly recognized as the Austin/Morris 1100/1300, was manufactured across multiple global facilities, including one in South Africa. However, the South African branch distinguished itself by introducing the Apache variant. While retaining the standard ADO16 chassis, the Apache featured a distinct front end crafted by Giovanni Michelotti, with the rear closely resembling that of the Triumph 2000 Mk2. A similar iteration, known as the Authi Victoria, was produced in Spain.

©Will Williams/Classic & Sports Car

3. Birkin - RSA

Named in honour of Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin, a Bentley racer and a forebear of the company's Welsh-born founder, John Watson, Birkin introduced its S3 model during the 1983 South African Grand Prix. Drawing significant inspiration from the third-generation Caterham Seven, this car has garnered global sales. While Birkin has established a notable presence in Australia over the years, its authentic roots lie in Pinetown, near Durban, South Africa.

©Tom Gidden/RM Sotheby’s

4. BMW 1800 RSA/2000 RSA

The initial BMW produced in South Africa was the 1800 SA introduced in 1968, succeeded a year later by the nearly identical 2000 SA with a larger engine. Both vehicles were manufactured by Praetor Monteerders of Rosslyn, which eventually evolved into BMW South Africa. Derived from the Glas 1700, acquired by BMW in 1966, these cars featured BMW engines. They were also assembled in Zimbabwe under the name BMW Cheetah. After a restyling by Frua, the model was rebranded as the BMW 1804/2004 (shown in the image) and was subsequently replaced by the 5 Series.

©BMW

5. BMW 333i - RSA

The original BMW M3, renowned for its dynamic performance both on roads and race circuits, boasted a distinctively high-revving four-cylinder engine. Interestingly, it never made its way to South Africa. Instead, the local BMW division, in collaboration with Alpina, introduced the 333i as its counterpart. Featuring a unique 3.2-litre iteration of BMW's M30 straight-six engine, a departure from the typical powertrain found in the 3 Series, this model was exclusive to the region. While various production figures and timelines have been suggested, Alpina confirms that only 204 units were manufactured from 1985 to 1987.

©BMW

6. BMW 745i - RSA

One might simplify by suggesting there was an African counterpart to the high-performance 1980s 7 Series, but the reality is more intricate. In Europe, the 745i boasted a turbocharged straight-six engine, unsuitable for right-hand drive vehicles due to space constraints from the steering column. However, in South Africa, where the right-hand drive is standard, BMW opted for the naturally aspirated 3.5-litre M88 straight-six, known for its potency, also featured in models like the M635CSi, M5, and initially in the M1 sports car. This variant of the 745i was exceptionally rare, with fewer than 250 units manufactured between 1984 and 1987, akin to the scarcity of the earlier mentioned 333i model.

©BMW

7. Chevrolet Firenza - RSA

This vehicle was essentially the British-designed Vauxhall Firenza, manufactured in South Africa and predominantly equipped with GM four-cylinder engines, including a 2.5-litre Chevrolet model instead of Vauxhall's 2.3-litre slant-four. However, an exceptional variant of the Firenza dubbed the Can-Am or the Little Chev, broke the mold. It boasted a 5-litre Chevy V8 engine, resulting in an astonishing reported 0-62mph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds – an impressive feat for the year 1973. As it was intended for homologation purposes, only 100 units were required to be produced, hence the marketing slogan 'Only you and 99 others'.

©Tony Harrison/Creative Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

8. Dodge Avenger - RSA

The Hillman Avenger, shown in the image, underwent a brief assembly stint in South Africa during the mid-1970s. Initially branded as the Dodge Avenger and equipped with a 1.6-litre Peugeot engine, it was manufactured solely in 1975. Subsequently, it underwent minor alterations to become the Chrysler Avenger, featuring a Rootes engine of similar size to those used in Avengers sold elsewhere. Production ceased shortly thereafter, rendering the African Avenger likely the scarcest variant in existence.

©Newspress

9. Fiat 128 - Morocco/Egypt

In 1959, Somaca was founded with the purpose of manufacturing Fiats and Simcas in Morocco, expanding its scope to include other brands over time. Among its notable productions was the Fiat 128, a standout model introduced in Italy in 1969. Additionally, the Fiat 128 was among the vehicles manufactured under license by El Nasr in Egypt, which continued producing this model until its closure in 2009.

©Fiat

10. Fiat Uno - Morocco/RSA

Two out of numerous Uno production facilities globally were situated at opposite extremities of the African continent. One of these was under the ownership of Somaca, which was predominantly owned by Fiat at that time. However, Somaca, situated in Morocco, is presently predominantly under the control of Renault, making the prospect of it producing Fiats again unlikely. Additionally, the Uno was produced in South Africa, albeit not by Fiat directly, but by Nissan.

©Fiat

11. Ford Bantam - RSA

The Bantam, known locally as a 'bakkie,' was a compact pickup truck manufactured in South Africa over three iterations. Initially, it utilized the platform of the Mk3 Ford Escort, the first of its kind to feature front-wheel drive. By 1990, Ford's South African division had amalgamated with Mazda, leading to the introduction of a Bantam model in that year, which was underpinned by the Mazda 323. Although our focus is predominantly on pre-21st century narratives, it's worth mentioning that the third-generation Bantam, unveiled in 2002, was based on the fifth-generation Fiesta by Ford.

©Ford

12. Ford Capri - RSA

In the early 1970s, South Africa briefly produced the first-generation Capri. Among them was a unique variant known as the Perana, designed specifically for homologation purposes. It stood out as the sole V8 Capri model officially available worldwide. Powered by Ford's 5-litre Windsor engine, the Perana underwent modifications and installation by Basil Green. Green not only enhanced the engine but also adjusted other aspects of the car to handle the increased power effectively. Ford not only approved of this model but also provided it with a comprehensive warranty. Later on, Ford extended an invitation to Green to join its dealership network, an offer which he gladly accepted.

©Malcolm Griffiths/Classic & Sports Car

13. Ford Model T - RSA

In 1905, the inaugural Ford dealerships emerged in South Africa, granting local drivers swift access to the Model T upon its debut three years later. Towards the conclusion of the Model T's manufacturing era in 1923, the Ford Motor Company of South Africa was established. Shortly after, in 1924, this enterprise initiated the production of Model Ts at a facility in Port Elizabeth, utilizing components imported from Canada. Ford asserted that this marked its 16th automotive plant beyond North America and represented 'the pioneer assembly line on the African continent.'

©Ford

14. Ford Sierra - RSA

Production of the Sierra in Africa occurred predominantly in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, throughout most of its existence. Similar to the Capri, South Africa was the sole nation to provide a Sierra featuring a V8 engine. Dubbed the XR8, it was equipped with a slightly modified iteration of the 5-litre Windsor engine, previously utilized by Basil Green in the Capri Perana. Approximately 250 XR8s were manufactured, and some have since ventured far from their country of origin.

15. GSM Dart - RSA

The Dart, though its initial body was crafted in the UK by GSM's founders, can be rightfully deemed a South African car. In the UK, it was recognized as the Delta due to naming constraints. This small sports car stood out in its era for its fibreglass body - a feature not entirely unique as the Protea, even scarcer - also boasted one in Johannesburg during the late 1950s. Thanks to Bob van Niekirk's well-engineered chassis, the Dart/Delta excelled both on the road and as a formidable contender on the racing circuit. While the Flamingo, another GSM model, was originally slated for a Ford V6 engine, the unavailability of this powerplant led to its production with a range of four-cylinder engines, akin to its predecessor.

©RM Sotheby’s

16. Hyundai Accent - RSA

The Accent marked the onset of Hyundai's collaboration with two distinct African enterprises, situated roughly 5000 miles apart. One scenario involved the shipment of Accents from South Korea to Mozambique, where they underwent partial disassembly, and then were transported to Botswana for reassembly, aiming to minimize duty charges before distribution to dealers across southern Africa. However, this arrangement ceased when the company folded in 2000. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the globe, the Ghabbour Group in Egypt also manufactured Accents, alongside other brands like Mazdas and Great Walls, a practice that persists to this day.

©Hyundai

17. Jeep Cherokee - RSA

Arab American Vehicles (AAV) was founded in Egypt in 1977, initiating the production of military Jeeps in the subsequent year. During the 1990s, the company diversified its activities by manufacturing civilian vehicles, all of which were externally designed. A notable instance was the second-generation Jeep Cherokee, which commenced production in the United States in 1983. Accounts regarding AAV's participation differ depending on the information source; however, according to the company's official website, it commenced Cherokee production in 1992 and persisted through subsequent generations.

©Stellantis

18. Mercedes-Benz W120 - RSA

By unanimous agreement, the initial automobile to make its appearance in South Africa in 1896 was a Benz Velo, and iterations of this model are still being produced in the country today. The process commenced in 1958 when Car Distributors and Assemblers of East London (now known as Mercedes-Benz South Africa) incorporated the Mercedes W120 into its already extensive line-up. This also encompassed the larger-engine W121 and the notably larger W180, though the focus here is on the W120 due to its earlier launch in Germany compared to the others. In 1956, imported W120s were locally modified into 'bakkies', marking a full six decades before Mercedes introduced their X-Class pickup.

©Daimler

19. Nissan 1400 - RSA

Derived from the second iteration of the Nissan Sunny (recognized internationally as the Datsun 1200 and subsequently as the Datsun 120Y), the 1400 represented a compact half-ton pickup crafted by Rosslyn Motor Assemblers, now operating under the name Nissan South Africa. Introduced in 1971, this 'bakkie' swiftly gained popularity within its segment. By 2003, production soared to 250,000 units, continuing until its eventual discontinuation five years later, albeit the 1400 largely retained its original design with various enhancements over time. It was eventually succeeded by the Nissan NP200, a rebranded version of the Dacia Logan pickup.

©Matti Blume/Creative Commons licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode

20. Opel Vectra/Vauxhall Cavalier - Egypt

In the UK, the third-generation Vauxhall Cavalier - also known as the Opel Vectra A elsewhere - was the inaugural car produced by General Motors Egypt on the 6th of October 1993, following the car's introduction in Germany by five years and preceding its replacement by two years. General Motors Egypt then transitioned to manufacturing its successor, the Vectra B. Despite the fluctuating history of General Motors South Africa, which experienced interruptions from 1986 to 2004, it appears that no Vectras were manufactured there, although racing versions did participate in the national Touring Car Championship.

©Stellantis

21. Peugeot 504 - Egypt/Kenya/Nigeria/RSA

There is little evidence to suggest that Peugeot intentionally designed the 504 with Africa's success in mind, yet its immense popularity on the continent might lead one to believe otherwise. Its remarkable adaptability to diverse road conditions was vividly demonstrated during the 1975 Safari Rally in Kenya, where it outperformed a Lancia Stratos by a significant margin. Should any issues arise, repairs were easily manageable. In 2013, it was asserted that even in the most remote villages of West Africa, a broken-down 504 could be back on the road within an hour. Although the precise scale of 504 production in Africa has become somewhat unclear over time, there are indications that it occurred in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

©John Bradshaw/Classic & Sports Car

22. Plymouth Valiant

Production of right-hand-drive versions of the initial Valiant model commenced in South Africa in 1960 under the names Valiant (omitting the Plymouth branding) and the De Soto Rebel. This trend persisted through subsequent generations, yielding significant success. Notably, credible sources indicate that the Valiant held the title of South Africa's top-selling car from 1966 to 1968, with sales reaching 15,026 units in the latter year, surpassing the notably cheaper Volkswagen 1500. Valiant production in South Africa endured until 1980, transitioning to the manufacturing of Australian Valiants from 1972 onwards. The accompanying image depicts a 1968 Valiant in U.S. specifications.

©RM Auctions

23. Ramses

The Ramses marked Egypt's inaugural venture into automobile manufacturing, fashioned after the German NSU Prinz. Given Egypt's novice status in car production, the design was understandably streamlined. Its debut in 1958 sparked national pride. However, as local Fiat production commenced, it became evident that while significant historically, the Ramses fell short in performance.

©Public domain

24. Ranger

"Ranger, a lesser-known division of GM, manufactured two series of vehicles between 1968 and 1978. The initial series, replaced in 1973, was manufactured in South Africa, Belgium, and Switzerland—an unexpected combination of countries for this endeavour. While it shared its foundation with the Opel Rekord, the African variant possessed slight mechanical distinctions from its European counterparts and was exclusively right-hand drive. The subsequent Ranger series was exclusively produced in Europe and lacked a direct equivalent in South Africa."

©GM

25. Sao Penza

The Penza stands out among the entries on this list due to its distinct origin in Africa, yet it was never marketed there, or at least not under that name. Rather, it was essentially a fifth-generation Mazda 323 manufactured in South Africa by Samcor. Its sole market was the UK, where it offered a more budget-friendly alternative to the contemporary 323, albeit with inferior quality. During its short existence from 1991 to 1993, it experienced minimal sales, possibly influenced by its branding as the Sao Penza.

©Newspress

26. Toyota Corona

The initial Toyotas constructed in Africa included the Stout light truck starting in June 1962, followed by the pick-up version of the Tiara, known as the second-generation Corona in export markets, commencing in May 1963. In May 1966, the subsequent Corona (depicted in the image) marked Toyota's inaugural passenger car manufactured on the continent. This model was assembled in Prospecton, near Durban, by Motor Assemblies, later rebranded as Toyota South Africa Motors, which ceased Corona production in 1980. Ghana followed suit as the second African nation to assemble the Corona in July 1969.

©Luc Lacey/Classic & Sports Car

27. Vauxhall Cresta

The final iteration of the Vauxhall Cresta, known as the PC, made its debut at the London Motor Show in October 1965. Its more luxurious variant, the Viscount (shown in the image), was introduced for sale the subsequent summer. General Motors South Africa swiftly followed suit, commencing assembly of the Cresta in April 1966, with the Viscount following four months later. Both models were equipped with an existing straight-six engine, which had been pushed to its maximum reasonable capacity of 3.3 litres. There's a tale circulating that certain South African Viscounts were equipped with a 5.2-litre Chrysler V8, but scepticism surrounds this claim, making it nearly impossible to confirm.

©David Finlay

28. Volkswagen Beetle

The globally recognized VW Type 1, affectionately referred to as Beetle or Bug and bearing various unofficial monikers, was manufactured in numerous countries, including two in Africa. Production commenced in August 1951 at the Volkswagen of South Africa plant located in what was then Uitenhage, now known as Kariega. Local adaptations occasionally diverged from the German model, resulting in distinctions between South African Beetles and those produced elsewhere. Additionally, Nigeria hosted assembly operations for the Beetle over many years, where it earned the nickname Ìjàpáá, derived from the Yoruba term for 'tortoise'.

29. Volkswagen Citi Golf

In South Africa, the initial Golf model gained immense popularity, prompting the local VW division to extend its production even after it was officially succeeded. Initially viewed as a stopgap solution, this decision surprisingly endured for twenty-five years, persisting even after the introduction of the sixth Golf by the parent company. Known as the Citi Golf, this vehicle remained in production until 2009, with a total output of 377,484 units, surpassing by a significant margin the quantity of South African Mk1s manufactured within a notably briefer timeframe.

©Volkswagen

30. Wolseley 1000

Similar to the Riley Elf from the same era, the Wolseley Hornet (depicted) was a luxury variant of the Mini manufactured from 1961 to 1969. Both models boasted distinct features such as their three-box saloon design, unique among Minis, and adorned with elaborate chrome detailing on the front. In 1967, Leyland South Africa introduced the Wolseley 1000, a hybrid version retaining the Mini's shape but boasting a more striking frontal aesthetic. This was later succeeded by its polar opposite: the Mini Mk3, which, despite its brief existence, sported a conventional front while maintaining the three-box body of the Elf and Hornet.

©Olgun Kordal/Classic & Sports Car

Conclusion:

The exploration of Africa's automotive heritage unveils a narrative often overlooked in global discussions. Despite the continent's rich history and cultural significance, its contributions to car manufacturing have frequently been sidelined. However, delving into Africa's automotive legacy reveals a diverse array of vehicles and designs that have emerged from its soil, each adding a unique flavour to the global automotive landscape. While Africa may not have enjoyed the same level of global recognition as other regions in the automotive industry, its historical and present-day contributions warrant appreciation and acknowledgement. As newer African manufacturers continue to emerge and countries like Morocco rise in prominence in car production, it becomes increasingly essential to recognize Africa's growing influence in shaping the future of automotive innovation. By presenting these cars alphabetically, we have shed some light on Africa's automotive heritage, dispelling the notion of it being a forgotten land in the realm of car manufacturing and emphasizing its rightful place in the narrative of automotive history.

Original story by David Finlay

©Balozi Baraza