Page 67 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL8

MOTORINGAHEAD INTOTHE PASTIn Thailand, a hub of new car manufacture,there is increasing appreciation for the roadsters of oldThe cars are divided into categories: ‘pre-world war’ or ‘vintage’ are for cars made before World War II, or 1940; ‘post-war’ is for those built from 1940 to 1955; and ‘classic cars’ is for models built from1956 to 1990Thailand is a society of new cars. The country is known as the “Detroit of Asia”, an automotive manufacturing hub pumping out new vehicles for the local and foreign markets. The country’s policies support new cars. The formergovernment’s tax exemption plan for first car buyers, for example, was designed to shore up ailing auto-assembling plants.Yet the Kingdom also has an eye for old cars. Occasionally you will see convertible MGs driving on congested streets, or a convertible Alpha Spider, a classic Porsche 911 or sometimes a Jaguar E-Type. The streets of Bangkok may be owned by new cars, but there is a growing group of people fascinated by older ones. These people hunt for decades- or century-old cars, even from scrapyards, and spend money and care on painstaking renovation. And if you meet one of them, don’t use the word “old”, even if their car is older than your grandmother.“‘Old’ is not the right word. A more appropriate and sensitive term is ‘vintage’,” said Kwanchai Prapadphong, president of the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, in an exclusive interview with Elite+. Sixty shiny vintage cars were on display at the 39th Vintage Car Concours, held at Future Park Rangsit in early August.“Vintage car” is still a very broad term. For the club’s regulations, the cars are divided into categories: “pre-world war” or “vintage” are for cars made before World War II, or 1940; “post-war” is for those built from 1940 to 1955; and “classic cars” is for models built from 1956 to 1990. What separates a current model from a classic car is at least 25 years. There are also sub- categories, such as European vintage car, or American classic cars.For the recent concours, the competition was divided into 14 categories, starting with vintage cars, post-war cars, classic cars, and sub-categories such as Volkswagen, American, Jaguar, or special awards conferred on conservation efforts such as best newly restored car, best original condition or even best painting or the creativity of owners such as for period dress costume and queen concours d’elegance.Those expecting a tense competitive atmosphere would be disappointed, as the events are festive and cordial, more similar to social events or exhibitions.Elite+ 65