Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa April 2018 - 100th Issue! | Page 60

Classic
Cars and Customs
Don’t Get Caught Short: What to Expect
BY RUSSELL BENNETT
I
f the expropriation without compensation debate is caus-
ing you to baulk at the prospect of investing more into
SA property at the moment, it’s likely that investing in a
collectible car might be something you’ve been considering in
the past few months.
However, finding the right asset in an offshore market can
be frustrating in itself, as you face the hassles (and costs) of
shipping the vehicle into SA before you can even start with
any restoration work which might be needed to produce a ve-
hicle which is ready to sell for a handsome profit.
The good news is, it’s never been more profitable than right
now to get started in this rewarding endeavour!
Nico Van Den Heever, of Vintage Car importers (http://
58
APRIL/MAY 2018 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
www.vintagecarimporters.co.za) has been doing just that for
8 years, and been a shipping specialist in Cape Town for four-
teen. He explains: “It has been difficult, and expensive, ship-
ping cars in to South Africa in the past. And then there were
also restrictions imposed on how long you have to keep the
asset before you can dispose of it. But all of that changed last
year, when regulations were adjusted, which now make it more
of a feasible investment route than ever before.”
Under the VCI banner, Van Den Heever is utilising his par-
ticular skill set and years of experience to assist both investors
keen to take the plunge, as well as the industry as a whole, with
the most cost-effective shipping solutions for these unique as-
sets. “As well as knowing the value of these cars, and how to