SAPA quoted Motorsport’s South Africa boss Beaulah Schoeman as saying that the accident happened outside Oudtshoorn where Andersson had been taking part in the Milligan Car Vintage Rally, driving a 1957 Volvo 444.

“Details of the accident are unclear, but it would appear that a head-on collision took place 30 kilometers outside of Oudtshoorn when an oncoming vehicle veered into their lane,” she said.

Andersson died on impact.

“He has had many achievements in motorsport,” said Schoeman, highlighting that he finished third in Monte Carlo and in San Remo in 1963 and in 1967 came second in the Monte Carlo and in the Acropolis Rally.

A year later he came second in the Tulip Rally driving a Ford Escort.

In 1971, he won four rounds of the World Rally Championship, driving for Renault Alpine.

He started rallying for Toyota in 1972 and spent the rest of his career with the Japanese firm.

Under his leadership, Toyota successfully competed in the World Rally Championship, winning four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ championships, a statement on Formula 1 website said.

Andersson, who also managed the Toyota Formula One Team, which made its debut in 2002, moved to South Africa late last year.