Elegance Unleashed: East Africa\’s Classic Car Passion
A Celebration of Nostalgia and Performance
The Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi, usually a quiet stretch of turf beneath open skies, was reborn in a blaze of chrome and colour. At the annual Concours d’Elegance, East Africa’s most glamorous celebration of vintage automobiles and motorcycles, history rolled in on four wheels and two—polished to perfection, dressed in nostalgia, and humming with pride. It was more than a car show. It was a cultural symphony where fashion met horsepower, and every engine told a story.
Women in flowing dresses and heels shared the grounds with young mothers manoeuvring strollers and pacifiers. Teenagers in sandals and shorts darted between cars, smartphones stretched high above their heads, desperate to capture “the slightest shot of their best oldies.”Older gentlemen in Panama hats nodded in appreciation at the polished chrome of a Rolls-Royce, Ford Mustang, and the hum of a 1940s Mercedes-Benz. The Concours was, in every sense, blissful.
Standing slightly apart from the crowd, his hand resting with obvious affection on the hood of his machine, was Ali Alam from Uganda. He carried the relaxed confidence of a man who has lived around cars most of his life.
“This is definitely one of the very special ones. It’s a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL. I’m a car enthusiast, and my family has a good collection of classic cars. This time, we entered two into the Concours—this Mercedes and a 1959 Triumph TR3 Roadster,” he said.
For Alam, restoration is not just mechanical—it’s almost spiritual.
“I like restoring cars because it’s like going back to those days when cars were so simple, so mechanical. You get a great feeling when you drive them. Plus, it’s just a great hobby. It’s fun restoring the cars.”
He seemed transported, almost nostalgic, as though he could hear the clink of tools. The crowd swelled around his car, snapping photos and asking questions, with children pulling their parents closer, all drawn to the Mercedes’ dignified presence.
“I get a lot of attention. They’re amazed because you don’t see these cars very often. They wonder what it’s like to drive, and some want to sit inside. Especially children—they get really excited,” he said.
“When it comes to restoring, it depends on the condition of the car, but it’s very intense. Even a car in good shape will take at least a month—or even a year.”
Yet the effort is worth it. Driving a vintage car is unlike anything a modern vehicle can offer.
“Modern cars have their advantages, but nothing beats the old ones—the way they drive, the experience you feel. They’re much lighter and a lot nimbler.”
Is East Africa appreciating this culture more?
“Of course, the interest is growing. Look at this event—great turnout, amazing cars. It’s a great experience.”
“About the car—it fascinates me. It’s over 50 years old. I love that it’s a drop-top with the roof down. It has a good engine, so it’s powerful. I let people drive it as long as I know them and they’re good drivers.”
Not far from Alam’s exhibit stood a man whose authority drew attention effortlessly. Dr Joseph Aluoch, tall and dignified man, has been a chest physician for 57 years. But today, his lab coat was traded for the gleaming body of a deep brown Mercedes 300 SE.
Dr Aluoch spoke like a man reflecting on a lifetime of companionship. His car was not just a vehicle—it was a family member and an honoured guest at every milestone.
“This car! I love Mercedes. I’ve had more than seven—various types, shapes, and sizes. But this is the one I love most because I bought it in 1991 as a present for our 20th wedding anniversary, and I’ve used it ever since,” he said.
The memories the car holds run deep.
“It’s very popular with my nieces, nephews, and children for their weddings. It has participated in just over 50 weddings since it was bought. It’s popular for taking girls or boys to weddings—old and young—and I just love it.”
The car gleamed in a unique hue: Impala Brown, a colour Dr Aluoch boasts is rare.
Kevin Rombosia’s vintage collection embodies a legacy in the making. In his “serious life,” he is a medical doctor. But his true joy comes alive in the world of engines.
“I work as a medical doctor. However, on the side, I’m a classics enthusiast. I enjoy collecting classic cars and motorcycles and doing restoration work. This is almost my tenth year competing at Concours d’Elegance, and we’ve had good success. It’s a passion—something I love doing,” he said.
With a calm academic demeanour, Mr Rombosia seemed more likely to be found in a lecture hall than a racecourse. Yet his knowledge of cars and bikes was encyclopedic.
“I own six motorcycles and eight classic cars. I’m setting up a transport museum and art gallery in Kisumu to showcase the work I’ve done over the years. Today, I brought the Honda Goldwing—a 1991 motorcycle, 1500cc—and the 1994 Yamaha Vista, which is 1300cc.”
His passion was almost philosophical.
“I’d dare say the internal combustion engine is one of the greatest inventions of man. Its application isn’t just in motorcycles—we see it in cars, airplanes, and many other areas. For me, this joy started in childhood, just admiring engines, and that led me to motorcycles.”
Then came a boyhood story that drew laughter from the crowd.
“When I was very young, my mother used to ride a motorcycle. We grew up in the sugar plantations. I used to steal her motorcycle when she wasn’t around—and she would whoop me good. So, I promised her that when I made some money, I’d buy my own bike.”
His collection today is vast, and his dreams even bigger.
“Besides the two motorbikes I brought, I’ve specialised in the Honda Goldwing line. I have a 1973 Honda Goldwing—1100cc. A 1985 Honda Goldwing Interstate—1200cc. Another 1983 Honda Goldwing GL1500. There’s a 1958 James Captain I’m trying to work on—it’s properly in pieces. Hopefully, when I have time, I’ll find the parts and restore it.”
“The cars—I have a 1983 Daihatsu F80LV, a 1983 Isuzu Trooper, a 1999 BMW Z3, and a 2005 Mercedes CLK. Those are my current projects.”
He also spoke of the growth of a movement.
“It’s growing phenomenally. Just by tracking the cost of vintages and classics—they’ve almost doubled in the past three years. That shows demand is increasing, and you can see it in the quality of vintages at Concours d’Elegance.”
There was also Mwebesa Silver, the Ugandan biker on his BMW 1200cc, whose arrival in the country was a story in itself. He recounted his journey to Nairobi with the easy swagger of a man who had conquered roads.
“I last came here in 2022—it was my first time. I rode a Kawasaki 1400cc and entered the competition with that bike. I got fourth position.”
This year, he chose adventure.
“I made my ride longer. I started early through eastern Uganda, through Kapchorwa, escarpments, down to the Suam border. Then we joined Kenya through Eldoret. The next morning, we connected from Eldoret to Iten, down the escarpments, up to Lake Bogoria to take shots of the flamingos. It was a nice experience.”
And when he described his bike, it was like describing a lover.
“I’m a very passionate biker. I’ve been riding for 22 years. I love this new baby—it’s hardly three months old. It gives you comfort and speed. You feel like you’re sitting in your living room, enjoying a cup of tea. You don’t get tired, and you feel in control of the road.”
His old ZX14 Kawasaki Ninja was still in his stable, though its aggression limited its journeys.
“The old one is aggressive—almost like a vehicle. When I want to beat the adrenaline out of me, I jump on that one. But when I want to tour, to enjoy nature, I use this one.”
Just like in 2024, when he dominated the competition with a white 1977 Nissan 160J and a 1947 MGTC to scoop both first and second overall positions, Sati Gata-Aura once again proved untouchable at the 2025 Concours d’Elegance.
This year, he reclaimed the top spot, reinforcing his reputation as the man to beat and cementing his place at the heart of East Africa’s growing vintage car culture.
