Protea holds a significant place in automotive history as South Africa’s first production car, a distinction it claimed when G.R.P. Engineering produced this sports car in Johannesburg between 1957 and 1958. A two-seater roadster, the Protea was powered by a modest engine of 1,172 cubic centimeters, achieving 27.6 kW at 4500 rpm. Due to its limited production run—reports vary, stating between 14 to 26 units were made—it remains a rare gem in the history of South African motoring.

The journey of the Protea was short-lived but impactful, with its production ceasing just a year after it began. None of the original team pursued further production car designs, although there was a noteworthy variant designed for speed that triumphed in a six-hour endurance race in Pietermaritzburg. Despite the commercial challenges and the niche market, the Protea’s brief production period left an indelible mark on South Africa’s automotive landscape.

Today, several of these cars are preserved in museums and private collections, emblematic of the pioneering spirit of South Africa’s early forays into automotive manufacturing. The Protea’s legacy is particularly noted for its contribution to the local design of sports cars, even as most subsequent South African automotive projects did not reach mass production

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