Farrarmere resident Abrie van Vollenstee opened his home to the local Benoni Probus Club, Just Wheels and the Benoni Heritage Vehicle and Engine Club to view his engine and tractor collection.
Van Vollenstee is a vintage stationary engine and garden tractor collector and restorer.
He said the open day, which took place on March 3, was requested by the Probus Club.
“I started collecting engines about 10 years ago,” van Vollenstee said.
“So far I have about 40 engines and six garden tractors.”
Although van Vollenstee collects engines and tractors which are ground-based, he is an aeronautics designer by profession.
“I have a history with engines,” van Vollenstee said.
“I grew up on a farm in Rustenburg and have been exposed to engines. I could power one at the age of five.”
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The 54-year-old began collecting engines after he received one 10 years ago.
“I went quad-biking near Lydenburg and it was lying on the premises,” he said.
“So I asked the owner if I could have it and he gave it to me for free.”
Van Vollenstee said he only planned to keep one but realised that he needed several spare parts for the engine which led him on the journey to discovering more engines.
His love for collecting and restoring engines then opened him up to the collection of garden tractors.
“I needed to move my Ruston Hornsby 2xHR five years ago, which required a garden tractor,” he said.
“Then I started collecting those, too.”
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