Growing up, there’s hardly a South African who can’t remember a Datsun in the family, even if the company was missing from the landscape for almost three decades before a return in 2014.
Its legacy between the ’60s and ’80s made Datsun a household name, given its reputation for building robust and reliable cars. It’s no surprise that many vehicles built back then are still going strong. The Datsun Heritage Museum in Botha- ville, Free State, is the proof in this particular pudding.
Bobby has met more than a few collectors over the years, and if there’s one thing they all have in common, it’s an unwavering passion for their vehicles. Each one brings their story, and most have been lovingly worked on by the owner.
As a result, the collector develops a virtually unbreakable bond with the vehicles, and is usually unable to part with them. This leads to bigger warehouses and more irate wives.
The Bothaville Datsun hoard is actually more like a private collection. The 118 cars are owned by Freek de Kock, and include many iconic vehicles such as the legendary 240Z, a 1600 SSS, a 1971 first generation Nissan Skyline GT-R coupé plus five other GT-Rs including the R35, and the 1970 Nissan President V8 limousine that was owned by the late Mozambican President, Samora Machel.
Freek says he has loved the Datsun marque since he was a boy and started collecting 11 years ago when he was able to retire. Most are in working order and others are being restored in Freek’s workshop.
He says: “With my sons running the business, it gave me time to focus on my hobbies. So, I started collecting cars. I realised I would never sell the cars I was collecting, and that’s how the idea of a museum came about.”
The collection is open by appointment to anyone wanting to view the vehicles. When asked why he is so dedicated to this project, Freek says, “We need to preserve the Datsun heritage because, without heritage, there will never be much of a future.”