Protea (car) explained
| Protea |
| Manufacturer: | G.R.P. Engineering |
| Production: | 1957–1958 |
| Assembly: | South Africa |
| Class: | Sports car |
| Body Style: | Two door, Roadster |
| Engine: | , 4 cylinder, 27.6 kW @ 4500 r/min[1] |
| Sp: | us |
The Protea was South Africa's first production car.[2] The two seater sports car was built in Johannesburg by G.R.P. Engineering between 1957 and 1958. Either 14 or 26 units were completed (Sources vary).[3] [4] [5] The Protea was the first South African sports car, followed less than 6 months later by the Glass Sport Motors with their Dart and later Flamingo
Known survivors
- A fully restored Protea can be found in the collection at the Franschhoek Motor Museum
- The James Hall Museum of Transport in Johannesburg has one example on show.
- Pieter du Toit of Zwartkops raceway owns one.
- There is another privately owned Protea in Roodepoort, a suburb on Johannesburg's West Rand.
- There is another privately owned Protea in Pretoria North, currently in the process of being restored.
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Protea. Franschhoek Motor Museum. 2009-02-14.
- Web site: Die vinnigste Protea ooit. 2014-10-12. Rapport. 2014-10-12.
- Web site: GSM Dart and Flamingo. 2007-01-28. Car Torque. 2009-02-14.
- Web site: October 2005 Newsletter No: 22. October 2005. GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA. 2009-02-14. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080430162423/http://www.gsmclub.co.za/newsletters/022.htm. 2008-04-30.
- News: SA motoring pioneer reunited with beloved Protea. 2007-05-31. DistrictMail. 2009-02-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20071215014101/http://www.news24.com/Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0,,303-716-717_2122112~E,00.html. 2007-12-15. dead.
