Blast from the past: Vintage cars roll on capital’s streets

Classic Car Show featured vehicles owned by the who’s who of the country.

ISLAMABAD:

Car enthusiasts from across the country gathered for the second annual Classic Car Show, organised by the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan (VCCCP) in collaboration with Serena Hotel on Tuesday.

A total of 45 classic and vintage cars were displayed at the plush courtyard and the sprawling lawn, ranging from President Ayub Khan’s Cadillac limousine to the Nawab of Bahawalpur’s decades-old Jaguar.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Austrian Ambassador Axel Wech, said that although the car show coincided with his bidding farewell to Pakistan, he valued the time spent here and the vibrant cultural experience.

Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo Martin Saravia commended the effort of putting up such events for promoting a soft image of the country. The ambassadors of South Korea and Cuba were also present.

Mohsin Khan, founder and president of VCCCP, spoke about a car rally which was en-route from Karachi to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying that he was pleased to be a part of the car show.

Khan said his Austin Healey 1954 had broken down on the way to Islamabad.

The 45 classic cars displayed ranged from  President Ayub Khan’s Cadillac limousine to Nawab of Bahawalpur’s decades-old Jaguar. PHOTOS: HUMA CHOUDHARY/EXPRESS

Based in Karachi, VCCCP is the only club of its kind in the country, catering to vintage and classic cars. “Until five years ago, even Lahore had no clue about vintage and classic cars, so we organised a car rally. The idea was to create interest and awareness about this hobby and we called it ‘heritage on wheels’,” he said, adding that the car show was getting bigger each year.

Speaking about a black 1948 Jaguar SS, which was owned by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, and now belongs to his grandson, Khan said that it was probably one of the most original cars in the world. The upholstery has still not been changed.

The same car was also driven for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip when they visited the country, and was also used by Field Marshal Ayub Khan several times and Marshal of Yugoslavia Josip Tito also used this car.

Suleman Abbasi, the current owner of the car and grandson of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, said that the car had been out of use for a long time as he was working abroad. “I take it around but it is hard to find parts here, so I don’t drive it much because it may get worn out. I try to just enough to keep the car in running condition.”

Nasir Shaikh, who displayed two Volkswagens, said his obsession for cars has been growing over the years.

Speaking about his 1960 VW Beetle, he said that he had owned the car longer than he had been married. “When my first daughter was born, we brought her from the hospital in the same car. She is in university now, has got a driver’s license and has already claimed the car,” he said.

Sharing some more history about the car, he said that it was a one-owner car until the owner passed away. “He was a captain when he got this car and when he retired as a major general, he kept the car.  When he passed away, his sons couldn’t care less about the car. They drove it till it stopped and then sold it to a scrap dealer who offered me the car. The rest is history,” he added.

Anjum Rehman, a journalist and car buff, said that she loved cars. “I’ve grown up around vintage cars. Unless it has a history and some story behind it, it does not really mean much. Right here, you have, archived in front of you, the story of so many beautiful cars,” she said.

What’s unique about them is that they are not mass-produced cars. Each one of them is a painstakingly put-together and loved by their fans and it is really nice to be a part of that atmosphere once a year, she added.

Moreover, Rehman said she had owned an original, convertible Triumph Herald but had to eventually sell it, calling the decision the worst mistake of her life.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2014.