From the outside there is no real hint of the fascinating world of John Forman. It is an old winery that looks as if it has been converted into a home – which indeed it has. But hidden behind that old cellar facade there is extraordinary treasure, a trove of ancient, old, not so old and a few modern vehicles - enough to make any man British Racing Green with envy.

Dated from 1928, an AJS motorbike takes pride of place among the two-wheelers. A monstrous 1982 BMW - R100RT - is the most modern. Other motor bikes in the collection of ten, include a 1950 Suzuki AS50 and a 1959 Royal Enfield 700. With only one or two being in the rebuild stage one wonders when John gets the time to actually ride the others.

On the motor car stage there is a 1959 Ford Anglia, a 1969 MGB owned by John’s wife Mary, and a Triumph TR6. One of John’s cars, a 1960 Volvo, has been sold and is now in Holland and regularly winning “Concours” events.

A 1950 Austin and a 1960 Wolsely, which John used on various Rallies throughout South Africa are also parked there out of the general view. Two other delicious vehicles that have recently passed through Johns hands are a 1952 Chevrolet Coupe and a 1956 Pontiac Station-wagon.

The passion for these special vehicles started many years ago when he was a young man. John readily admits to an almost maniacal love for the vehicles, a love that is ‘an illness without cure’!

Not surprisingly John’s two sons also have 'the illness'. Both have their own collections.

Not only a vehicle-lover, John is also a Bibliophile when it comes to mechanical literature about all the vehicles that have ever passed through his hands. His library consists of a bewildering array of pamphlets and workshop manuals stacked in every corner.

Meticulously labelled boxes and trays contain the thousands of miniscule parts necessary to keep these wonderful machines operational.

Although it is generally extremely difficult to source parts locally, one can get them quite readily overseas with the aid of the internet.The mechanical aspect of repairs and maintenance, through contacts with car clubs and the like is also much easier using the internet rather than the snail mail of not so long ago.

It is John’s abiding belief that these older vehicles are more reliable than today’s computer-driven models, and will provide a lifetime’s ride if driven, serviced and treated with the love and respect they deserve.