Very few people know that Porsche made tractors between 1956 and 1963 and one of these rarities will be on show in the Heritage Collection located near the main spectator entrance gate at the Nairobi Racecourse during the CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance which will be held on September 29th.
The Heritage Collection features old equipment and machinery and is an additional attraction for spectators at the classiest event on the Kenya motoring calendar.
The old Porsche tractor was donated to the Karen Technical Training Institute for the deaf and was in running order for several years. In due course the tractor was sidelined and was spotted by Kevit Desai, the PS for TVET during a visit to the Institute. He encouraged the Principal and staff to restore the tractor for display at the Heritage Collection as a project for the students.
The main challenge for the Institute was the state of the tyres which had collapsed and become unusable. FMD, the Massey Ferguson distributor for East Africa, stepped in to help by supplying and fitting serviceable used tyres. After hours of hard work by the trainers and pupils the Porsche is now ready for public viewing by the Concours spectators who visit the Heritage Collection.
Other fascinating exhibits include the 1919 steam engine of Rodger Tanner will be working throughout the day and an ancient petrol dispensing pump loaned by Total.
The Heritage collection has a sub theme of “the ancient and the modern” which will be interpreted by a Mercedes Benz truck purchased by DT Dobie in 1952 flanked by the very latest Actros Prime mover. The theme is also interpreted by a display of one of the original Ferguson tractors beside the new Massey Ferguson 35.
