CLASSIC: Mr and Mrs Rapoo posing with one of their cars

Do you want a romantic cruise in a classic car while sipping champagne and listening to classic music with your lover or a unique ride for your wedding?

Then Tshepo Itseng Rapoo of Vintage Cars has what you need.

Since driving his father’s old Toyota Stout he has been in love with old cars.

“I’m passionate about old cars and I thought of collecting them and renewing them but I thought that would be too expensive. That’s when I thought it made sense to hire them out instead.

“The thing about classic cars is that they are strong, reliable and you can do whatever you want to them to make them look nice unlike the modern ones,” said the budding entrepreneur.

Rapoo who is currently employed by Construction Extras as the Marketing Manager said it was easier to start the business because his wife who is also the partner shares his passion for vintage cars. “We used to drive a VW Beetle.”

Last year October, business minded Rapoo combined his marketing skills and his love for classic cars to launch his business.

“We decorate the cars according to the theme of the wedding or to the requirements of the customer and hire them out either as a fleet or just one. I personally have two but I hire two more from friends so that I have four if there is demand.”

Rapoo said that their service is for people who want to have a unique wedding and can be accessed directly or as part of a wedding package in cases where they partner with other service providers.

The cars are also rented out for model shoots.

Although they are not yet well known, Rapoo said they were working hard to put be visible.

“We attend expos, market ourselves on social media like Facebook and currently we are working on our website. We also partner with others in the industry to complement their packages,” he said

Rapoo said things would be better for the business which he said was going well but they were losing business from clients far from Gaborone because they have to charge extra.

“Dealing with old cars, we are challenged by maintenance especially finding parts, but with the internet things are easier,” he said

Though it is still a new market, ambitious Rapoo said he was determined to grow the business to be a force to reckon with.

“My dream is to open a huge garage and hire out and sell a huge variety of vintage cars in 10 years. I just love them and will do anything to have them.

“I also want to get United States classic cars which have been made popular by movies like the Mustang and others.

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