Land of biltong and braaivleis. South Africa is a nation with a deep love for cars and a history of building some special vehicles…although these largely escaped international recognition. Today we’re diving into our favourites, some might surprise you but all have found their way to UK shores. Here goes…

BMW E23 745i 3.5 ^{₍₁₉₈₄₎}

The domestic racing championships of the 80s and 90s left a legacy of homologation specials in SA, cars built for the local market to allow manufacturers to go racing. The SA variant of the BMW E23 745i is exactly that.

The 7 series might seem an unusual choice for touring car racing, but it competed very successfully. The right-hand drive configuration meant that the European 745i’s 3.2 litre turbocharged straight six simply wouldn’t fit (which is why it was never sold in the UK). Engineers at BMW South Africa had the splendid idea of popping in a 3.5 litre M88 straight six instead. Yes that’s the same engine used in the BMW M1 and latterly the E28 M5. Making this the closest BMW ever came to making an M7.

This proactive approach to improving Munich’s offerings wasn’t new for BMW SA, other cars like the SA-only E30 333i could easily have made this list too.

The 34 horsepower gain may seem modest, but the responsiveness of the naturally aspirated M88 transformed the car. Further upgrades over its turbocharged (and automatic only) European brethren were necessary…including bigger brakes (including 300mm vented front discs) and more focussed suspension (essentially lifted from the M635CSi). The dogleg Getrag 5 speed was sadly outnumbered by the four-speed automatic but all had a factory LSD. This was a parts bin special in the best way possible.

Can you find one in the UK?

BMW SA produced only 209 in total. The few that have been imported to the UK rarely appear for sale, but we do see them listed in SA more frequently and for similar money to an E28 M5.

Volkswagen Citi Golf ^{₍₁₉₈₈₎}

It’s well known that South Africans love Volkswagen. The Golf GTI is an icon, the Polo is a first car for many, and the Citi Golf is the car that everyone and their grandma drove in the 2000s.

It’s 1988, South Africa needs a cheap 5-door vehicle that can do it all. VW SA still had the Mk1 production line and with additional obsolete tooling imported from the US they started producing the Citi Golf, a resurrected Mk1 that continued to sell well in SA until production ended in 2009. Many variants appeared over the years and the cars were improved incrementally. The original golf was such an enduringly competent and enjoyable mode of transport that it’s no surprise these cars are still very popular today.

Your grandma got the base carburetted 1.4 with 74 hp, whilst other Citi Golfs (including the CTi and R-Line) were lavished with the 1.8 from the Mk1 GTI.

Can you find one in the UK?

Yes, many have been imported to the UK by expats and enthusiasts. More modern Citi Golfs are an interesting dichotomy in the UK, matching Mk4 Golf era interiors with a 5-door shell that’s essentially from the 1970s.

Alfa Romeo GTV 6 3.0 ^{₍₁₉₈₄₎}

The GTV6 3.0 might be the pinnacle of ‘80s era Alfa Romeos. It was born to compete in Group One racing, developed by Alfa Romeo SA and Autodelta its centrepiece was that 3.0 litre engine. Developed in the early 70s (yet in production until 2005) the famous 60 degree Busso V6 was displacing 2.5 at the time in the standard GTV6. The enhancements were appropriately old school, out went the fuel injection substituted by six individual DellOrto carburettors, while the bore and stroke were increased to 93mm and 72mm. From an auditory perspective a corroborated Busso is very thing difficult to better. Fuel injected versions followed in other Alfas but only 200 GTV6 3.0s were produced.

Can you find one in the UK?

During the original production run, 8 were imported into the UK and more have followed since. Finding an original Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 in good condition is a difficult task, but the 2.5 in the standard GTV6 can readily be swapped for the 3.0L version from later Alfa saloons.

Ford Sierra XR8 ^{₍₁₉₈₄₎}

A wondrous vehicle born in a deeply troubled time, the ‘80’s brought more violence and international sanctions to South Africa. Ford disinvested from the country selling their 42% share in South African Motor Corporation in 1988, but not before building the Sierra XR8 (1984 - 1988). Another homologation special built for South Africa’s Group One Championship, Ford built 252 of these track-ready street cars. AP Racing callipers were standard, as was 144mph, but visual changes were subtle such that it could be mistaken for another fast Sierra. That was until you heard the gurgling push-rod V8, what’s more in SA the Mustang’s small block was freed from stifling US emissions regulations and it quickly gives the XR8 away as something very different. This is a muscle car with genuine racing pedigree.

Can you find one in the UK?

Although rare cars, importation was once popular. Considering the values of other fast Sierras we think the XR8 offers amazing value for money today. As desirable a Sierra RS Cosworth is, it will never match the fireworks of the XR8. There are two currently for sale in the UK (both in Scotland).

One For The Road _{^{(…our impartial pick from the classifieds)}}

It might not be an original homologation car (its injected 3.0 having been retrofitted), but this is an intriguing GTV6 which looks to have been tastefully upgraded to make progress with a smile on your face. The transmission is from a 75 TS along with the LSD (this later transaxle box was always much nicer to use than the Alfetta’s). Whilst the fuel injection may remove some complexity from the Busso’s symphony it does make this a simpler proposition to maintain.

Offered for sale by AJM Classics (a sister company to Alex Jupe Motorsport - a well known name in Alfa Romeo circles).