He moved to South Africa in September last year and owned the Kwelenga country lodge near George.
The collision happened at 9.35am on day three of the rally when Andersson and Bennett were travelling from Oudtshoorn towards George in their 1957 Volvo P444.
Spectators and paramedics tried to revive Andersson for almost an hour, but he died at the scene.
A Red Cross helicopter flew Bennett, 65, to the George Medi Clinic, where he is in a stable condition.
“Mr Bennett has suffered serious injuries to the chest and limbs but he is in a stable condition,” emergency unit head Dr Leonie Schoeman said.
The driver of the other vehicle, who has not been identified, was admitted to the Oudtshoorn Hospital with multiple injuries.
Former Port Elizabeth city councillor Eben de Vos, one of the organisers of the rally, said he passed the accident scene just after it happened.
“It seems the other vehicle tried to overtake a truck and moved into Ove‘s correct travelling lane. The vintage car slammed on brakes and left the road, skidding onto the gravel area for about 15 metres.
“The other car also left the road and skidded onto the gravel shoulder for about 30m before hitting Ove‘s car.
“The vintage car caught fire but that was extinguished. I could see that Tubby, who is a personal friend of mine, suffered head injuries in addition to hurting his legs and chest.
“The steering wheel apparently crushed Ove‘s chest.”
De Vos said all competitors were extremely saddened. “Ove was a driver of international standing who raced in many events without anything happening. Now he has been killed on a fun ride.”
Bennett‘s wife, Gwen, was also taking part in the rally and travelled to George to be with her husband.
The Milligan Vintage Trial started on Monday morning and ends today. René Olivier, communications manager of sponsors Continental Tyre, said they were “very, very sad about what has happened”.
“In the 39 years, it‘s the first time something like this has happened and everyone is shocked,” she said, expressing condolences to Andersson‘s family. She said although the rally was cancelled yesterday, the drivers all felt they would continue today in honour of Andersson. The day would be known as the Ove Andersson Memorial Day.
Toyota South Africa also expressed its sadness, with chief executive Johan van Zyl saying: “It was a great shock to learn of the tragic and untimely death of Ove Andersson, one of the true icons of motor sport.”
Andersson participated in numerous events for Toyota SA in the 1970s and returned to South Africa to compete in the Total Economy Run in 2005. He won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1971 and several other European rallies. He was a rally team boss before taking Toyota into Grand Prix racing.
He leaves his wife, Marion Bell-Andersson, two sons and a daughter.
Additional reporting by Bobby Cheetham
By Bob Hopkin, Garnett Wicomb and Janine Oelofse GARDEN ROUTE
From .theherald.co.za
