Peter Palm

Pete first read CAR at the age of 12 and immediately started modifying his parents’ cars. He studied mechanical engineering due to a fascination with engines, and worked on and spray-painted cars in his spare time. He worked for SA Railways and Denel before switching to proper motoring by joining CAR.

CLASSIC BUY: Datsun 2000 to 2400 (1967-1972)

South Africa’s first Datsun luxury sedans make interesting entry-level classics. Here's what to look out for... CAR magazine’s first Datsun test was a Bluebird 1200 in 1962. More compacts followed before the first straight-six sedan arrived in 1967. This was a bold move; entering the sedan/saloon ...

BUYING USED: Seven-seater SUVs for under R320 000 each...

Know how much you can spend on a car but haven’t made up your mind which one to buy? We recommend two sensible options, plus a left-field choice. This time we're looking at seven-seaters for under R320 000... SENSIBLE: Ford Everest 3,2 TDCi 4x4 AT 0-100 km/h: 11,20 seconds Top speed: n/a Power: ...

DRIVEN: Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 V6 TDI Canyon 4Motion

PORT ELIZABETH, Eastern Cape – “Bakkie” is a term fully owned by South Africa. Yet, when applied to a V6-powered Volkswagen Amarok, it doesn’t seem to fit. Indeed, “pick-up” works better, but feels, well, a little too American. Whatever constitutes the most appropriate ...

CLASSIC BUY: Alfa Romeo 156 (1998-2006)

A promising future classic, the 156 reinvigorated Alfa Romeo... Still considered a reasonably modern car, the stylish 156 nevertheless celebrates its 21st birthday this year. Difficult to believe, as the shapely sedan still turns heads thanks to typically Italian design flair from the in-house Alfa ...

DRIVEN: BMW X6 M50i xDrive Steptronic

MUNICH, Germany – When I stood alongside the first-generation BMW X6, I thought it was way too big for a coupé-style car. Perhaps we get used to all manner of disagreeable things but, when I first laid eyes on it, I did not have the same thoughts with this third generation that arrives locally ...

BUYING USED: Premium midsize SUV/crossover for under R450 000

Know how much you can spend on a second-hand car but haven't made up your mind which one to buy? We recommend two sensible options, plus a left-field choice. This time, we're looking at a premium midsize SUV/crossover for under R450 000… SENSIBLE: Range Rover Evoque Si4 0-100 km/h: 8,25 ...

BUYING USED: Double-cab bakkies for under R425 000

Know how much you can spend on a car but haven’t made up your mind which one to buy? Each month, we recommend two sensible options, plus a left-field choice. Requirements: Double-cab bakkies have become expensive items, as evidenced by the Amarok and X-Class. What if your hard-earned ...

BUYING USED: Second-hand roadsters for under R350 000

Know how much you can spend on a car but haven’t made up your mind which one to buy? We recommend two sensible options, plus a left-field choice. Requirements: Lusting after the new BMW Z4 M40i but don’t have a million rand burning a hole in your pocket? These three offer comparable thrills ...

CLASSIC BUY: Saab 9-3 (1998-2009)

Contemporary Swedish class on a tight budget... History Saab stood for “Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget”, which means Swedish Aircraft Corporation Limited in the Scandinavian language. Founded in 1937, its parent company specialised in aerospace and defence hardware. Saab joined Scania Trucks ...

CLASSIC BUY: Chrysler Valiant (1970–1977)

The Valiant proved to be a welcome American invasion... Such was the pace of styling changes in the 1960s and ‘70s that one of pre-democracy South Africa’s favourite cars, the Chrysler Valiant, can be split into several re-styles over just a few years. In this feature, we’re looking ...