Francis Mallia owns a rare 1972 BWM 3.0S model, probably the only one on the island, as evidenced by correspondence that he has from the historical archives of the German car manufacturer.

“I have had a soft spot for old cars since my early childhood years, when I used to see my father driving his ancient and bulky Opel Kapitan, which had four large impressive headlamps. The Sunday drive was a special treat for us children, as we struggled to squeeze into it – we were a big family, six boys and six girls,” Mallia reminisces with a chuckle.

“Not long after I got my driving license, I bought a 1968, locally assembled, metallic blue Triumph Spitfire, which I kept for six years prior to emigrating to Australia, where I had relatives.”

After two and a half years downunder, he returned to Malta where he gave vent to his craving for speed by buying a red Ford Escort van. He customised it by upgrading the engine to 1300 GT, as well as installing racing tyres, and started participating in events at the disused Ta’ Qali airfield, which was then harnessed as an unofficial race track. After a while, the Escort gave way to another speedy vehicle, a white 1750cc Alfa Romeo, which also went through an engine rebore. After a few years, the Alfa was exchanged with a maroon Fiat 125.

Mallia firmly believes that a vehicle is there to be used and not to gather dust in the garage, and he stresses that all the classic cars that he has owned were on the road on a regular, if not a daily, basis. But in 2000, he had to make a significant exception, for in that year he acquired a classic car that he now treats with passionate and tender loving care, and uses only for the traditional weekend outing.

“The story starts way back in 1979, when an English couple from Yorkshire decided to come to Malta and settle here,” he said. “With them came a BMW 3.0S, which had been bought new seven years before. They took immaculate care of it – so much so that it made the journey from the UK in a container, and in Malta was driven very little. As the couple got older, they refrained from driving it, and finally garaged it. It remained idle for a number of years. Being friends with this family, I decided to ask them whether they wanted to sell it, and they agreed.”

The classic car looked in a very good condition, but the lengthy spell of inactivity had taken more than its toll, and Mallia had to replace quite a number of parts. “My wife Sheila, who just adores this car, came to the rescue when she contacted her brother who lives in Scotland, and we managed to get the required parts from there,” he said with much relief, although he admits that the spares dug quite a deep hole in his pocket.

The clutch, the power brakes, the pressure plate, all rubber parts like the engine and gearbox mountings, and other accessories, had to be replaced. After a short restoration period, the German car was back gracing the local roads.

The 3.0S model belongs to the so-called New Six series of vehicles produced by BMW from 1968 to 1977. These cars established the company’s reputation as a manufacturer of sporting and luxury sedans. They were also a challenging response to compatriots Mercedes Benz, who hitherto held the monopoly in the large luxury car market. With its front end arrangement of four headlamps and a kidney shaped grille, the series established the look of BMW which is still an intrinsic characteristic today.

These vehicles were spacious six cylinder cars that handled well, and were named after their engine size. The big bore, dual carbureted, four door 3.0S came out in 1971, introducing a more powerful and expensive saloon compared to the earlier 2.5L and 2.8L versions. Together with the later 3.0Si, they are collectively known as the E3 Sedans – as Mallia points out while flipping through the original owner’s handbook covering the four models.

Fired by a visit to the Valletta Grand Prix which was held around Mdina two years ago, Mallia decided to join the Old Motors Club in order to share his passion with kindred spirits. He is frequently seen with Sheila at weekend events, and last summer joined the OMC trip to Sicily, where the German classic car took to the inviting highways like a duck to water.

His wife takes turns in driving the BMW, which she describes as smooth and silky. She also encourages him to take the car out more often, even when the weather is not good- something that her husband is reluctant to do! “Last December, he was dilly dallying whether to take the car to the Paqpaqli għall-Istrina event. I told him that he was not getting into the driver’s seat, I would!”

Mallia comes from a family of builders. Part of our conversation took part on the roof of the new premises of the Old Motors Club in Mosta, where Mallia was volunteering to change some broken stone slabs. Thus he finds that the classic car is the ideal pastime to help him unwind after his strenuous work. He also dwells at length on the thrills, pride and joy that driving such a quality car generates in him.

Alas, Mallia will have to make do without his BMW in the near future, for he has decided that the time has now come for the German icon to undergo a new spray and upholstery replacement. He will stick to the original blue colour known as Fjord metallic, as well as the blue leather interior fittings. Being without their beloved classic for a few months will be a hard pill to swallow for Francis and Sheila, but then a stitch in time will surely save nine!

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