Revving up for fame

Thailand’s Classic Car Club recently joined up with Seacon Bangkae to showcase the kingdom’s 50 best motors as part of the “Classic Car Exposition 2013”.

The shopping centre’s activity zone was transformed into a luxurious warehouse reserved for the priceless collection and featured talks by owners on the motors’ backgrounds and maintenance.

“I first saw this car at a scrap yard and fell in love with its beautiful body and dignified ship-like curved edge. I decided then and there to buy it and spent the next three years fixing it up to restore it to its former glory and make it roadworthy once again,” says Prapon Techawipak, exporter of diving gear, of his 1947 Austin A Sheerline, which once belonged to Queen  Rampaipannee.

“My father instilled in me a love for classic cars. I drive them every day because they need movement to maintain their mechanisms. Maintenance can be difficult to the lack of availability of spare parts but everything’s possible with love,” says Boonyarit Junlasap, the owner of the 1952 Bentley Hooper Saloon Empress, the government car used by Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram and a Mercedes Benz 190SL, another government car used by Air Chief Marshal Thawee Junlasap.

“Its body is so beautiful,” says Kriengkrai Chaimongkoltrakul, the heir of Sampran Crocodile Farm, proudly patting his 1975 Mercedes Benz W 107SLC. “For me, a classic car must be a top automobile with a timeless design. Nowadays, it is rare we see any on the road because owners are afraid of accidents and the elements.”

Among the other cars on show were a 1928 MG D type used by Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarat and now owned by ML Apimongkol Sonakul; a 1982 Bentley Convertible, used by Prince Peerapong Panudej and owned by Sawat Horungruang, a Mercedes Benz 300SL, also owned by Sawat; and a Mercedes Benz W111, belonging to actor Thiradet “Ken” Wongpuapan.