How’s this for bringing home a souvenir from your vacation?
The Pick of the Day is a 1980 Datsun 1200 pickup truck purchased two years ago while the owner was on vacation in Australia. The truck is being offered for sale in an advertisement on ClassicCars.comby a dealership in Cadillac, Michigan, though the truck is not located there but at the client’s home.
The pickup, which has right-hand drive, was based on Datsun’s B110 sedan platform. It was sold in Japan as the Sunny Truck, in Australia as the 1200 Ute and in South Africa as the Bakkie. It was not exported to the American market.
“Great running and driving condition,” the dealer says. “Starts and drives first turn of key.”
The dealer adds that the truck has not been driven on snow or salted roads and has been garage kept.
The only apparent issues are an inaccurate fuel gauge and non-working dashboard lights.
Original engine replaced with more powerful unit
The truck originally had a 1,400cc 4-cylinder engine but that unit was upgraded to one from a B210 with Weber carburetor and upgraded distributor. The front brakes also were changed to Girlock twin-piston calipers and larger rotors. Rear drums also were replaced.
Improvements were made to the front suspension, and the truck rides on Rota 15-inch Shakotan wheels, 9 inches wide at the rear and 8 in front.
The truck has fiberglass fender flares and a front “duckbill” spoiler.
The truck cabin was upgraded with Sparco F200 seats.
(To see what such a truck might become, visit this report on a 1974 Sunny 1200 pickup that visited Jay Leno’s Garage.)
The dealer reports that the truck is 99.9 percent rust free, though the body has some “minor scrapes and scratches.”
Updated for 2019, the Ford F-150 Limited is a top-drawer luxury pickup truck with just about every gizmo imaginable. But what it doesn’t have, and this might come as a surprise, is a V8 engine.
Nope, this big truck is powered by a 3.5-liter V6. But it’s a twin-turbocharged Ecoboost engine with the power to propel the full-size Supercrew pickup with plenty of flair, as well as provide 12,700-pound towing capacity.
The High Output 3.5 Ecoboost V6, the same engine that powers Ford’s off-road beast, the F-150 Raptor, is rated at a muscular 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. That kind of makes one wonder whether the days are numbered for V8 engines in anything but heavy-duty trucks and muscle cars.
(By the way, I just had dropped off to me for testing a full-size 2019 Chevrolet Silverado crewcab with a 2.7-liter turbo engine. So it goes.)
The Limited is powered by Ford’s High Output 3.5-liter V6
The Ecoboost V6 is not geared toward maximizing economy, per se, but to stand as a performance engine in its own right. Ford crows that the F-150 Limited with Ecoboost and the full-on luxury treatment is now “the most powerful, advanced and luxurious F-150 ever.”
Since the F-150 remains America’s highest-selling vehicle of any kind, as it has been for more than four decades, it’s no small matter to mess with such success. But Ford has made a couple of big changes in recent years to its premier workhorse.
First came switching to lighter aluminum for much of F-150’s body structure, losing several hundred pounds without compromising strength, Ford says. That was a bold move to create a lighter and more fuel-efficient truck, risking the wrath of generally conservative truck buyers. But pushback was negligible, and F-150 has remained on top, probably because it came out so well.
The pickup’s body is constructed of aluminum
The switch to the Ecoboost V6 was just as bold, with so many pickup drivers focused on the brawny torque of a large-displacement V8. But the proof is in the numbers, and it’s hard to dispute 520 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, which is considerably more than that of the 5.0-liter V8 or the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel, engines that are available in lesser models of the F-150.
For more potent engines, a buyer would have to move up to the Super Duty F-Series pickups, where you can get a 6.2-liter V8 gas engine with 430 pound-feet of torque or a Power Stroke diesel V8 with a stump-pulling 935 pound-feet. But Super Duties are on an entirely different plane of work trucks, and more-accommodating F-150 models are what most people want and buy.
The Ecoboost does provide decent fuel economy as well as brisk acceleration, with the EPA’s mpg rating for this two-wheel-drive model at 17 city, 22 highway and 19 combined. My mileage was not as good, but I was getting on it quite a bit – the turbo-V6 emits a nice gnarly growl that’s hard to resist.
A set of 22-inch polished aluminum wheels dresses up the Limited
The F-150 Limited is an exceptionally well-equipped vehicle, a luxury craft with all the trimmings, as suitable for a family trip or night on the town as it is for the worksite. Not that you’d want to toss any concrete blocks into this beauty. No, this would be the truck that a well-heeled contractor or developer might drive. This pickup can tote or tow heavy loads, but only in the most genteel fashion.
The broad crewcab interior boasts a wealth of comfort, convenience and technological features, as well as a suite of safety systems to keep you out of harm’s way. The cabin is finished in quality leather, including the dash top, and it has a suede headliner.
The wood trim is hand-finished “gradated ash swirl,” with each piece showing a “halo around the edges and a heavily polished center,” Ford says.
The interior had all the comforts of a top-drawer luxury sedan | Ford
The front seats are heated and power ventilated, and they will provide a massage, as required, as well as an Active Motion lumbar support. A FordPass Connect 4G LTE modem provides Wi-Fi access for as many as 10 devices, and the Sync 3 feature has Applink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Oh, and the Harmon B&O Play audio system is awesome.
The center of the console has a large metal plate set in the middle that announces that, yes indeed, this is an F-150 Limited and for whatever reason includes the 17-digit vehicle identification number, as if you’d want to check that every time you got in. Must be designed to give a feeling of exclusivity, but still it’s quite over the top.
Outside, the Limited wears its luxury in yards of bright trim, 22-inch polished alloy wheels, retracting side steps and its nameplate embossed on sculpted tailgate trim. The grille and headlight styling are appropriately brawny, and the tailgate on this truck had the optional built-in folding step.
A metal ID plate on the console includes the truck’s VIN | Ford
Trailer hookup is made easy with the Pro Trailer Backup Assist operated by a rotating console knob while watching a split rearview image on the 8-inch video screen.
Highway driving is assisted by adaptive cruise control that can bring the truck to a complete stop if needed, and stop-and-go engine management raises fuel economy in traffic. Active park assist helps guide the pickup into a parallel parking spot, if you can find one big enough.
I could go on about the plethora of desirable gear on the Limited, but suffice to say it has everything that you would find in a top luxury sedan. But with a roomier back seat. And yes, it is just as pricey, this one venturing into the $70,000 range, with a few options.
While I’m not really a fan of humongous pickup trucks, which seem to get bigger every year, I found the F-150 Limited to be enjoyable to drive, with decent handling and lively performance. I quickly felt right at home in this luxury mansion on wheels.
RM Sotheby’s will expand its annual Monterey auction this summer, adding an opening-day, single-marque sale Thursday, August 15, in partnership with Aston Martin. The docket for the opening event will include more than 30 Aston Martin sports cars, RM Sotheby’s announced.
The evening also will celebrate the anniversary of Aston Martin’s 1959 victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the sports car maker’s Second Century Plan, under which it promised to produce a new model every year for seven years as well as two “specials” per year.
’64 DB5 was only the fifth produced and originally was purchased by Washington Fruit & Produce Corp.
“Early interest in the inaugural auction from would-be owners around the world is an extremely positive sign,” Paul Spires, president of Aston Martin Works, was quoted in the news release.
“The market for historic cars is constantly evolving and it is vital that, with its remarkable heritage and growing appeal worldwide, Aston Martin is represented by the best auction house in the business. RM Sotheby’s give us at Aston Martin Works – the global heritage division of Aston Martin – the opportunity to reach a first class international clientele.”
“We are honored to partner with Aston Martin as the marque’s official auction house and for what is set to be an incredible evening in Monterey,”
“RM Sotheby’s has long been the auction house of choice for the sale of important Aston Martin models,” added Gord Duff, RM Sotheby’s global head of auctions.
“Our Monterey auction has proven time and again to be the best venue for the most exceptional examples, exhibited by the sale of the one-off DP215 last year, and the DBR1/1 in 2017 – the most valuable British car ever sold at auction.”
The engine
The interior
Duff also announced that the docket for the August 15 sale includes a “very early, long-term ownership DB5 we’ve consigned is a fantastic example of the fresh-to-market cars that collectors can expect.”
That car is a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, a left-hand-drive example and, as chassis DB5/1305/L, just the fifth DB5 produced. It was sold new through British Motor Car Distributors in San Francisco to the Washington Fruit & Produce Corporation. It was purchased by the consignor in 1981 off the street in Sausalito, California, and has remained in his private ownership ever since.
RM Sotheby’s said it will be presented in Monterey in” highly original, never fully restored condition,” and retains its original engine, is finished in its original colors, and features interesting factory options including an overdrive transmission and 3.77 rear axle ratio.”
The auction house has set a pre-sale estimated value of $700,000 to $900,000 for the car.
A consignment of 24 restored classic cars from the Key Museum in Turkey has been added to the docket for Bonhams’ annual Goodwood Members’ Meeting auction scheduled for April 7 in England.
“The Key Museum is a surprising, 7000-square-metermotoring haven in rural Turkey, situated one hour from Izmir,” Bonhams said in announcing the consignment.
“Founded by two brothers, Murat and Selim Özgörkey, the museum tells a global story of motoring history, and since 2001 its extensive assortment of vehicles has been sourced with meticulous diligence from all corners of the world.
’56 300SC has pre-auction estimated value of $522,000 to $652,000
“A change in the museum’s direction has led this world class institution to restructure its collection and so an eclectic selection of 24 cars will now feature prominently at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale.”
“The quality of motor cars sourced by the Key Museum, in a relatively short amount of time, is exceptional, and we are very proud to be including in our sale some of the very best models of their collection,” added Tim Schofield, head of the UK motoring department of Bonhams. “The 24 vehicles headed to Bonhams mirror the quality and diversity found in the Museum itself, with electric, steam and petrol engines all featured.”
1947 Delahaye Type 135M was restored by museum’s own staff1962 DB4
Among the 24 vehicles consigned are:
• A 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC coupe with Sindelfingen coachwork, one of only 200 produced and restored in Europe in the 1990s and acquired by the museum in 2009 at auction in the United States. The car has a pre-auction estimated value of £400,000 to £500,000 ($522,000 to $652,000).
• A 1962 Aston Martin DB4 “series IV” sports saloon, restored by the museum’s in-house team of 12 specialists.
• A 1947 Delahaye Type 135M cabriolet, also restored by the museum staff.
• A 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT “double bubble” coupe by Zagato.
• A 1952 Jaguar Mark V 3 1/2-liter drophead coupe.
• A 1960 Facel Vega HK500 coupe.
• A 1948 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country convertible
• A 1932 Auburn 8-100A cabriolet.
’58 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT by Zagato
The Ozgorkey brothers are part of the family of Erdogan Ozgorkey, who founded the E. Ozgorkey Group in 1951 as the Coca Cola bottler and distributor for the Aegean and Mediterranean areas. It spread into construction and tourism, and into agriculture and frozen foods, automotive dealerships and an industrial laundry.
The Key Museum’s collection includes around 130 automobiles, 40 motorcycles, a display of 300 automotive mascots and hood ornaments, more than 2,500 model cars, a collection of car-related scarfs, and the re-creation of a 1950s-era Shell gasoline station. The museum also has its own restoration shop for its own cars and for outside clients.
Having trouble finding tail lamp bezels for your 1964-1970 Ford Mustang restoration project? Classic Industries has just released reproduction units for those vehicles.
“Each bezel is manufactured from quality zinc die cast materials, featuring a polished bright chrome finish where applicable and painted accents as original. Includes gasket and mounting studs as listed,” the company said in its announcement. “Sold individually or in sets.”
13489A is the product code for a tail lamp bezel for 1964-66 Mustangs | Classic Industries photo
The 930 Turbo (aka 911 Turbo) was the first road car that Porsche built in a no-holds-barred assault to dominate the entire sports car world.
The 930, launched in 1974 smack in the middle of an energy crisis made absolutely no sense on paper, yet Porsche still chose to move forward with what at the time was a tour-de-force performance car that incorporated many of the lessons learned at storied locales named Daytona and Le Mans.
The 930 was one of the fastest cars of its day
The 911 Turbo delivered some of the strongest performance numbers of the 1970s and ‘80’s, capable of 0-60 times as quick as 5.0 seconds flat and an incredible top speed of 162 mph. This all came in a car that required that you be at the top of your game at all times behind the wheel, as the 930 demanded respect and skill to deliver, and do it safely.
Porsche fans will be forever grateful that the company ignored the political climate at the time and moved forward with these amazing performance cars. As artwork, the 930 was proudly displayed on many teenagers’ walls, and many of those dreamers now own one of these iconic sports cars.
Since the original car was introduced at the Paris Auto Show, Porsche has seen fit to always have a 911 Turbo in its lineup, though not always available in the United States due to emissions laws.
The 911 Turbo wears Porsche’s emblematic whale tale
This leads us to the Pick of the Day, a 1980 Porsche 930/911 Turbo located in Phoenix. Being a 1980 model, this 930 is not the usual gray-market car but was bought new in Canada, where the import laws were nowhere near as draconian as they were in the US.
As classic cars, Porsche turbos have soared in popularity during the past five years, and the prices have risen as a result. A few years ago, they skyrocketed in price with many selling in excess of $150,000, but they’ve dropped a bit in recent years to become more affordable.
This example is a European-spec Porsche 930/911 Turbo in Hellblau Blue with factory blue-leather and cloth interior. It is a two-owner car with 72,000 original miles, according to the private seller advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
A Momo steering wheel is said to be the only departure from original
The Porsche received a high-quality restoration in 2003 and was repainted to a very high standard in its original color, the seller adds. The engine was rebuilt in 2008, and the car is said to run and drive perfectly.
Every part on this Porsche is factory correct and the car has been nicely maintained, the seller notes, with the only deviation from stock being a Momo steering wheel.
A Porsche 930 from behind the wheel is the automotive equivalent of a roller coaster. It has gobs of Turbo lag combined with the capability of hitting 55 mph in first gear, 94 mph in second, 127 mph in third, all the way to 160 mph-plus top speed in fourth. This makes the 930 one of the most engaging and exciting cars ever, although sometimes challenging with its pronounced turbo lag and propensity for oversteer.
At an asking price of $90,000, it is correctly priced for its apparent fine condition in today’s market.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Much of the magic of Bentley motorcars comes through its heritage, even today as the esteemed British marque rolls out a most-unusual limited-edition 2019 Continental GT dedicated to a single race car of 90 years ago.
Named the Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner, each of the 100 performance coupes will have the distinction of carrying on its dashboard an actual piece of the 1929 “Blower” Bentley for which it’s named – a small segment of wood from the historic car’s original seat.
The Number 9 Edition cars also serve to honor the 100th anniversary of the car company founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley.
A Bentley Continental GT Number 9 with the historic Blower Bentley
The legendary 4½ Litre Blower Bentleys debuted in 1929 with Roots-type superchargers sprouting from below their massive radiators, boosting their horsepower and making them formidable competitors on the racing circuits, particularly in such endurance contests as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
One of the five competition Blowers was the No. 9 Le Mans race car piloted in 1930 by one of the original Bentley Boys, Henry “Tim” Birkin, whose skill and bravery behind the wheel of those brawny racers made them “sensationally quick,” according to a Bentley news release.
“Birkin and the Blower are intrinsically linked together in this sepia-toned era of British motor racing history,” the news release states. “It was Birkin’s quest for speed that created the Blower, later recording heroic drives at the Le Mans 24 Hours and the French Grand Prix. He also broke the Brooklands outer-circuit lap record, the most-coveted racing circuit of the time.
The Blower Bentley was a unique expression of British racing style
“The supercharged engine ultimately ensured the 4½ Litre model became the most iconic racing Bentley of the pre-war years. The Blower won Bentley a legion of motor sport fans around the world and to this day remains a symbol of the company’s innovative prowess.”
The superchargers were placed at the front of the engine crankshafts of the Blower, of which 50 street versions were built, giving the plus-size race cars a distinctive appearance. The forced-induction raised output for the straight-4 engines from 110 to 175 horsepower, muscling the Bentleys past the smaller, more-nimble race cars with which they competed.
Birkin’s racing performances were emblematic of Bentley’s winning ways, as he became a national hero for British racing fans, including the company founder.
The 90-year-old piece of Bentley wood is displayed on the dashboard
“W.O. Bentley described Birkin as ‘the greatest Briton of his time’,” Bentley says in its release. “An aristocrat who fought in the First World War, Birkin returned from the front with a thirst for adrenaline and a total disregard for danger on the racetrack.”
The Number 9 Edition of the all-new Continental GT, created by the automaker’s famed in-house custom coachbuilder Mulliner, has been festooned by glorious interior features, such as gold-plated “organ-stop” controls, lavish leather seats and trim, unique machined metal finishes and vintage-style gauges.
The 90-year-old chunk of Blower Bentley is displayed in a circular glass housing on the dashboard between the analog outside-temperature gauge and rally-style timer.
Ultra-luxury interior with nods to heritage (right-hand-drive shown)
The car is powered by a 626-horsepower W12 engine paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the first of its kind offered by Bentley. The car launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and boasts a top speed of 207 mph.
Bentley calls the Number 9 edition a fitting memorial to both that magnificent race car as well as the mastery of Tim Birkin, who sadly died in 1933 at the age of 36 after being seriously burned on his arm while racing a Maserati 8C, and later succumbing to toxic effects of the injury.
“Bentley has created the ultimate collector’s version of the all-new Continental GT to celebrate the company’s centenary in 2019,” the release says, noting that “just 100 examples will be hand built by Mulliner in Crewe, England.”
The special Continental GT wears a Number 9 proudly on its grille
“The Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner pays homage to Birkin and is inspired by Bentley’s illustrious motorsport past, incorporating a number of distinctive features from the legendary Blower into the world’s most luxurious Grand Tourer.
“Each model features a wood insert from the seat of Birkin’s iconic 1930 No. 9 Le Mans race car, which was removed during a sympathetic renovation.”
Pricing for the 2019 Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner has not been announced, but as the saying goes, “If you have to ask…” The base price of a standard Continental GT is around $200,000, and it undoubtedly will go way up from there.
Nissan’s 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 known as the RB26DETT, which poweredthree generations of the Skyline GT-R, is respected the world over for its ability to punchseriously high above its weight. The engine was phased out with the arrival of the current GT-R late last decade but you can still buy fresh examples.
Nissan’s Nismo motorsport department has been selling the inline-6 as crate engines for years, though these can be a bit pricey. A fairly standard unit starts at around $40,000.
Now Nissan, through its Nismo Heritage Parts program, is offering the core engine parts as standalone units, allowing you to build your dream version by picking and matching the parts you want, whether stock or aftermarket.
The list includes the cylinder block and head, crankshaft, gaskets, pistons, connecting rods, exhaust assembly, fuel pump assembly, wiring harness, and more. Nissan is even offering two versions of the engine block: There’s the standard unit which starts at about $1,500 and can be fitted to the R32, R33 and R34 GT-R generations, or you can go with a sturdier unit, known to fans as the N1 block, which starts at about $3,800 and is designed for the R33 and R34.
Nissan launched its Nismo Heritage Parts program in 2017,initially focusing on the R32 GT-R. The program has since been expanded two times and now also includesparts for the R33 and R34. In addition to the engine parts, the latest expansion includes more R32 body panels and a motor for the wiper blades on all three generations.
Nissan has said the Nismo Heritage Parts program will continue to expand as it receives input from the GT-R community over sought-after components. Now we just need someone to drop an RB26DETT into the current R35 GT-R so it can battle the latestA90 Toyota Supra with a 2JZ swap.
More than a half-century ago, a new product from Owens-Corning revolutionized the way backyard vehicle builders designed and constructed cars. First dubbed glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) and later given the trade name Fiberglas, the material gave car designers the freedom to create shapes that would have been virtually impossible to duplicate in steel or aluminum.
Having worked together in the steel fabricating business, brothers Wally and Harry Hansen of the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood were keenly aware of the challenges posed by shaping metal into complex forms. Such experience gave them an appreciation for the potential of fiberglass and, in 1953, they seized upon the opportunity to build a pair of uncommonly beautiful roadsters that met their high standards for performance, style and exclusivity.
Opting to create their vehicles entirely from scratch instead of buying prefabricated frames and fiberglass bodies “off the rack” from existing manufacturers, they drew up plans for a pair of vehicles that would provide them with the ultimate in personalized transportation. When the drawings were ready, the brothers began their ambitious project by hand fabricating two stout chassis from box channel steel into which they punched holes for lightness.
A Hansen brother sits in one of the unfinished Cobras.
Suspension parts for the front and rear of Wally Hansen’s car were sourced from a 1953 Oldsmobile while Harry Hansen’s car used 1940 Ford suspension all around. Wally Hansen fitted his Cobra with a 200-horsepower Oldsmobile V8 engine coupled to a General Motors Hydramatic transmission while his brother opted for a 235-horsepower Cadillac V8 engine coupled to a Lincoln three-speed manual transmission. This guaranteed that while the vehicles looked the same, they would offer dramatically different driving experiences.
After the chassis were completed, body construction started with a wooden model that was covered in plaster of Paris and shaped, painted and waxed before being layered over with a combination of resin and fiberglass cloth to create a female mold divided into six sections designed to be bolted together to facilitate removal of the panels.
Both cars were fitted with available parts and trim pieces from several American automobile manufacturers, including 1953 Studebaker front and rear bumpers, 1953 Cadillac headlights, a 1952 Chevrolet grille bar, modified 1953 Chevrolet taillights and a 1953 Studebaker rear window mounted in a Corvette windshield frame.
The Hansen brothers show off their finished products.
Wally Hansen painted his Oldsmobile-powered car white, while his brother opted to painted his Cadillac-powered car pale blue.
Contrary to the prevailing trend among Detroit manufacturers, the Hansens sculpted their vehicles so artfully that they required virtually no chrome-plated embellishment to enhance their contours. Side air scoops were functional and small fins gave the cars an upmarket look. Performance for both Hansen Cobras was respectable, although Wally Hansen’s car hit 90 mph at the end of the quarter-mile, whereas the other could reach 100 mph thanks to its substantially more powerful Cadillac engine.
There was no trunk or provision for weather protection on either car, all in keeping with their intended function as showpieces, whether on the road or in an exhibit hall.
The twin Cobras took 17 months to build and, when completed, were displayed nose to nose at the 1954 Petersen Motorama where they garnered considerable public acclaim and won awards for their design and workmanship. They were later the subject of a feature article in the February 1955 issue of Motor Trend magazine.
The Cobras on display.
In 1957, the Hansen brothers’ friend, Fred Eppele, prevailed upon them to build a third Cobra, which was powered by a Cadillac engine and painted medium metallic green. Had the Corvette and Thunderbird not been introduced, the Hansen brothers would have seriously considered placing their striking car in limited production. They would also have likely copyrighted the “Cobra” name and Carroll Shelby would have been obliged to approach them for permission to use it for his own sports car.
When the excitement of owning and driving the unique machines ultimately waned, the brothers sold them, as did Eppele. Surprisingly, the three Cobras were all but forgotten until a San Diego collector acquired the Oldsmobile-powered car and restored it. When it became part of the Margie and Robert E. Petersen collection in 2006, word spread rapidly and the Hansen brothers were soon in contact with the Petersen Automotive Museum to arrange a visit to see their special creation.
The Hansen brothers sit in one of the cars they crafted.
We were grateful for the opportunity to meet with the brothers and to reacquaint them with one of their remarkable vehicles and they shared rare images, posed for photographs, and told stories of their brief exploits as automakers during their visit.
Since our last meeting with the Hansen brothers, the Cadillac-powered car has also resurfaced and was purchased by the brothers who jointly donated it to the Petersen Automotive Museum so that it can be reunited with the other car. It would be difficult to conceive of a more generous and thoughtful gift and we are truly grateful to the Hansen brothers for making it possible for us to reunite their Cobras after so many years.
Like many other such mid-century customs, both cars have survived despite the odds and while each of them will need a bit of attention to return them to their original show-stopping luster, the chance to recreate the moment when the cars debuted together more than a half century ago make it an opportunity not to be missed. Now the only mystery remaining is whatever became of the third Cobra.
Car collectors in the United States aren’t the only ones concerned about the future of the hobby and, quite frankly, the fate of their cherished vehicles. A symposium was held recently in India “to understand, promote and encourage the increased participation of youth and women in the historic vehicle movement.”
“The youth in India, today, has various means to be informed, coupled with the innate willingness to attempt novel experiences and therein lies the potential to invigorate the Historic Vehicle Movement in the country,” said Neville Tuli, founder of Osianama, which sponsored the symposium along with the Federation of Historical Vehicles of India and the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens.
“Our mission, through this Symposium, is to endorse the respect and adoration for vintage vehicles in India since they reflect the zeitgeist of a bygone era and create excitement among the youth and women alike,” Tuli added. “Automotive experts from India and abroad are here today sharing ideas and profound insights to encourage and validate this trend. It is exciting to witness such collective zeal channelled towards a common objective.”
‘Be Cool, Be Classic,’ says Shana Parmeshwar, who races a Porsche GT3
Among those speaking at the event were such women as Indian rally racer Farah Vakil; automotive illustrator Rupali Prakash; Shana Parmeshwar, who uses the tagline “Be Cool, Be Classic” as she races a Porsche GT3 (she also owns an Austin Seven and 1965 Chevrolet Impala station wagon); and Natasha Jerina Grom, a FIVA vice president.
“Women are starting to take the lead in demystifying the classic automobile, seen by many as an untouchable realm of the wealthy and privileged man,” Vakil said. “Up till now, Indian women’s role in historic vehicle circles has been as the wives and daughters of collectors but that’s changing. Women in India today are financially and socially empowered, and we don’t need to have classics passed onto us as family heirlooms, as we can acquire them independently – sourcing them abroad, if necessary, and importing them.
“We are becoming instrumental in widening the appreciation of these cars, keeping it informal and unstructured – an outing in our cars, a picnic perhaps – without the heavy organization and expense of a formal event.”
“India is blessed with a rich heritage of automobiles and is increasingly becoming a country of interest for automotive enthusiasts, globally,” Grom said. “Similar to the present day, this heritage not only needs to be appreciated but preserved for Indian, as well as global, aficionados, in the future.”
Illustrator Rupali Prakash does her presentation
The symposium coincided with FIVA holding its general council meeting in India.
“India is a country where the ‘love affair with the automobile’ is a more recent phenomenon than in the West, and it’s truly heartening to see the groundswell of enthusiasm for historic vehicles among younger Indians – at a time when European enthusiasts are worried that classics will increasingly be seen as something for the older generation,” FIVA president Patrick Rollet commented.
“Our meeting was held in Bangalore alongside a symposium organized by the Delhi-based Osianama Learning Experience and the Federation of Historic Vehicles of India – the first of its kind in Asia – aimed at encouraging even more young people and women to get involved in the historic vehicle movement,” he added. “The energy and enthusiasm of the participants, in a country that’s at an exciting point in the development of its historic vehicle community, is a joy to see.”
In its followup report, FIVA noted that social media is playing a role in encouraging interest in vintage vehicles.
Rally racer Farah Vakil
“A key factor is the growing number of informal groups on social media, who meet at the weekend for casual drives in various cities,” FIVA noted, pointing to one of many examples, the Classic Drivers of Calcutta, founded in 2017 with three members but now with 98, half of them younger than 35 and 15 percent being first-time collector car owners.
But, added one of those active members, “we also have 500-plus members on Facebook and Instagram who may or may not currently own a historic vehicle.
“To ‘catch them young,’ it’s important to create communities around historic vehicles – non-competitive, fun social events to attract newcomers, such as movie screenings and garage days, plus extensive use of social media and workshops.
“It’s working,” he added. “We’re seeing younger people, most of them ‘first-timers’, acquiring classics, while our members seem to be overcoming the absence of a DIY culture and have taken to working on their vehicles themselves! The future is bright.”
