The Houw Hoek Rally has a proud legacy stretching back to November 1903. The very first event was a reliability trial from Greenmarket Square to the Houw Hoek Hotel and back.
The Crankhandle Club continues this tradition with a commemorative reliability and regularity rally every year. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
🛣️ The Route
Early rallies followed Voortrekker Road and climbed Sir Lowry’s Pass. Heavy modern traffic makes that route impossible today. Instead, this year’s journey begins in Durbanville, winds through the back roads to Franschhoek, and climbs the scenic pass. Drivers then gather for lunch at Dassiesfontein before finishing at the historic Houw Hoek Hotel.
🚘 The Cars
A total of 21 classic cars will participate in 2025. Each has been carefully restored and maintained by passionate owners. The rally offers a rare opportunity to see these motoring icons take to the open road once more.
🏁 The Club Behind the Rally
Founded in 1955, the Crankhandle Club is based in Cape Town. For over sixty years, it has motivated members to restore and enjoy vintage vehicles on the Western Cape’s famous passes and scenic routes.
The Club’s objectives remain clear. It works to preserve and maintain historic motor vehicles as defined by the South African Veteran and Vintage Association (S.A.V.V.A.). It also fosters the preservation of records, literature, and memorabilia that keep motoring history alive.
🌄 More Than Just a Drive
The Houw Hoek Rally 2025 is more than a rally. It’s a living showcase of South Africa’s motoring heritage, set against dramatic landscapes. Whether you admire the cars, the roads, or the stories, the event captures the enduring spirit of adventure.
On 4 October, the engines will once again roar to life, and history will roll gracefully back onto the roads of the Cape
