Many old car owners have a history as interesting as that of the cars they own. In 1933, Royal Air Force captain H. G. Williams bought a brand new Hillman Minx that was his pride and joy, giving him and his wife immense pleasure as they drove it through the lush English countryside.

The car – AAE 984 – was so beloved that the couple named it Annie. A few years later, he garaged it for the duration of the war as he was called on frequent duty defending his country as well as flying sorties over enemy territory.

In 1941, he disappeared without trace while on a mission and was never heard of again. His wife kept the Hillman in the garage, hoping he would one day return. When reality sank in, she still kept the car garaged in memory of her husband.

It remained gathering dust until 1989, when she passed away and the car was sold. For many years, it was used for special events such as weddings, until it was sold in 2011 to a car dealer.

At around that time, Alfred Castaldi was surfing the internet to enhance his two classic car collection. He came across the 1933 Hillman Minx and immediately phoned the dealer in Derbyshire.

Simon Castaldi with his 1970 Austin Healy Sprite.

“Along with my son Simon, we took the first available flight to the UK. On inspecting the car, a deal was struck on the spot. After a test drive, we put it on a trailer and two weeks later it was in Malta,” Castaldi said. The car just needed a new battery.

Proudly clutching the car’s documents, he said that Annie cost £179 when it came out, with its sun roof thrown in for an extra four sterling!

The black vehicle was fitted with a 1185cc side valve engine, while its sales pitch boasted wind-up windows, concealed direction indicators, triplex toughened safety glass and a roof lamp.

Castaldi admitted that his interest in old cars stemmed from his frequent visits over many years to the classic car oasis Joseph Pace nutures in Kalkara.

However, a very busy lifestyle and time constraints meant he had to wait for retirement 10 years ago to get his hands on his first old-timer.

His choice fell upon a 1968 old English white Triumph Herald 12-50 convertible. The vehicle, manufactured at the former Malta Car Assembly in Marsa, was in a very good condition.

Five years ago, seeing that his son Simon was showing greater interest in old cars, Castaldi decided to pass the Triumph over to him.

However, he immediately bought another two old vehicles. The first was a 1964 Mini 850, also in old English white and the second was totally different.

Alfred Castaldi with dear old Annie.

“I went to see an old Volkswagen in Birżebbuġa, liked it and bought it. A problem arose – it was at the back of a garage with 13 other old-timers, some of which did not work. We spent a whole day pushing the other vehicles – many with jammed wheels – out of the garage in order to get the German car out.”

The 1970 Volkswagen needed a full nut and bolt restoration project, which is still going on. Castaldi said that among other things, the mudguards, floorboards and running boards had to be replaced.

The task is nearing completion and he hopes that the maroon and off-white coloured vehicle will be on the road again later this year.

Although his son leads a busy working life, he was always determined not to follow his father and wait for retirement in order to enjoy old cars. After obtaining the Triumph from his father, he bought a 1970 Austin Healy Sprite from their friend Joseph Pace.

Simon, who is technically gifted, dismantled the car and started working earnestly on it. It is now back from the panel beater and awaiting a spray in British racing green. Another car Simon bought from the same source is a 1968 blue MGC, which also needs a restoration job, a task he will begin once the Sprite is completed.

A few years ago, Simon decided to go to the Beaulieu car show with his father and their friend Pace. Initially his eyes fell on a Morris 8, but on looking further afield, he caught a glimpse of a quaint 1933 Austin 7.

“Once its owner started the engine, I was mesmerised by the sound and smell emanating from the small vehicle that had stood the test of time in no small way,” he said. The battery was weak, but both the body and engine were in perfect order. Once he bought it and shipped it to Malta, the vehicle with a maroon body and black mudguards needed only a replacement petrol tank to get back to showroom functioning.

Despite having four old cars in his stable, Simon still harbours a dream – that of adding a TR3 to his collection. On the other hand, his father feels happy with his old-timers and has no further desire other that of enjoying them, especially outings with his Annie.

Besides classic cars, father and son share a passion for old motorcycles. In the 1950s, Alfred used to ride a BSA, which eventually he had to sell. But four years ago, he decided to turn back the years and bought a 1963 BSA 2.5 Model C12, which sits in a showcase on a stand. Simon opts for less powerful two-wheelers and owns three old Lambretta Innocenti.

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