The budding local classic car scene owes its healthy state and exciting development to a small number of pioneers who in the 1970s and 1980s saw the possibilities of developing it with other passionate car lovers.
Julian had an encyclopaedic memory for classic cars and their market value
Two of these were the Zammit brothers, Gerald and Julian, who always worked in tandem, and spent most of their free Saturdays tinkering with classic cars and anything to do with four wheels.
Julian passed away unexpectedly seven years ago. However, talking to Gerald, one gets the feeling that the greatly missed brother is still very much around, for when Gerald speaks of classic cars, he still uses the plural form.
“We inherited our love for old cars from our father, Francis, who from the early 1950s enjoyed travelling by car with family and friends. The annual thrill was a month holidaying by car during August in mainland Europe.
In 1969 he bought a 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud from HR Owen in London. The car belonged to (Aristotle) Onassis’s brother-in-law. My father simply wanted a comfortable and reliable vehicle to travel in. He was a selfless man who enjoyed cars and who firmly believed cars were to be enjoyed. He would let us drive his automatic Rolls Royce at an early age – Julian drove it when he was just nine years old,” Gerald recalls.
In 1977, the two brothers went to England with their parents in search of Julian’s dream car – a Jensen Interceptor MkI, 6.3-litre V8.
The two brothers drove the car to Malta, with the parents enjoying the ride as passengers in the Jensen’s comfortable rear seats.
Julian was only 17 at the time, and needed a special driving license from the British authorities. Unfortunately, after Julian restored the car, it had to leave the island, for at that time legislation prohibited the importation of vehicles over two litres. Not easily discouraged, the Zammit brothers looked for another classic car, and soon afterwards Julian bought a rare Lancia Flaminia Zagato from Malta.
Following in their father’s footsteps, the Zammit brothers always dedicated their Saturdays to maintaining their cars, cleaning, polishing and seeing to whatever was required.
Their garage in Gżira became a meeting place for friends. A variety of basic tools and equipment were at hand, so the young people were always busy on the maintenance of their vehicles. The early meetings of the Vehicle Collectors’ Club (VCC) – the predecessor of the Old Motors Club – took place on the premises, when a group of enthusiasts engaged in discussions while seated on boxes and stools.
The two brothers originally wanted to become accountants, but ended up doing other things instead.
“Julian always had his own dream of setting up a classic car restoration business,” Gerald says.
“We eventually opened C.A.R.S (Classic Automobiles Repairs and Services) in 1984. I was in England at the time, and helped out by sourcing and mailing parts to Malta to service our clients.”
Julian was very much a hands-on guy, and although he had staff working for him, he enjoyed getting his hands dirty. He just loved spraying.
He devoured classic car magazines, and had an encyclopaedic memory for technical data, classic cars and their respective market value. His strong knowledge prompted him to encourage GasanMamo to introduce classic car insurance in Malta. They then appointed him as their official surveyor, a task he performed until his demise – hence the reason why so many classic car owners still remember him vividly.
Other ventures were modifying Volkswagen Beetles into convertibles, and offering specialised repairs of automatic gearboxes.
“In the 1970s the Maltese were frightened of automatic transmission, as there were few mechanics to fix them,” Gerald said. “We used to get a mechanic from England for one week. He spent three days working on clients’ gearboxes, and the rest of the time on holiday relaxing.”
Another project of Julian’s was the creation of a National Motor Museum at Ta’ Qali. The two brothers set up a company, Historic Motors Limited, with the Mizzi Organisation, Gasan Automobiles and Kinds Auto Sales. The project had to be dropped by Gerald owing to Julian’s life being cut short.
Zammit reminisces about their classic purchases together:
“We always had an eye for strange cars or ones that were unique on the island, most of which we kept, and we always regretted the few we didn’t or part exchanged. I recall the first car bought jointly with saved pocket money in the late 1970s. It was a massive 1952 Cadillac Fleetwood. It cost us Lm140 (€326). Julian was only about 12 years old at the time.”
Some of the unusual cars in the collection include a 1952 Austin Sheerline A125, a rare seven- seat limousine version manufactured by the UK Austin Motor Factory in Longbridge from 1947 to 1954, and powered by a 3,995cc straight-six overhead valve engine. The vehicle was a luxury car in the style of the contemporary Rolls Royce or Bentley, but came at a much lower price.
Another unusual car is a 1968 Siata Spring. The company – Societa Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori – was set up in 1926 by amateur racing driver Giorgio Ambrosini. The two-tone metallic blue and white sports car is based on parts from the Fiat 850. The company went bankrupt in the early 1970s.
One does not frequently encounter a Bitter car – a rare three-door hatchback coupe Chevrolet 327 V8, of which fewer than 400 were produced, is another outstanding feature of the Zammit collection.
It was the brainchild of a German racing car driver, Erich Bitter, who began designing his own vehicles in Schwein, Germany. His philosophy was to build a beautiful, fast car, but one that he was able to get into and drive away. The first models relied on Opel parts. The firm ceased trading in 1997 but 10 years later it made a comeback, this time with a model based on the Australian Holden.
In this Aladdin’s cave of classic cars one comes across another unusual vehicle: a blue, 1963 Facel Vega 111, an 18th birthday present to Gerald by his parents. Named after the original stamping company, Facel was a French car manufacturer between 1954 and 1964. Their first model was the Vega, named after the star. The first engines were powered by a Chrysler V8 engine, later replaced by a Volvo P1800.
The collection also features a white, 1976 Pininfarina-styled Ferrari 308 GTB lightweight. These V8 powered vehicles enjoyed a long production run between 1975 and 1985. However, with stringent emission restrictions that stunted its performance, this sports car was eventually strangled. The 308 bodywork is entirely made of glass reinforced plastic – just over 700 were produced, making it one of the most sought-after 308 models.
Zammit admits to having a soft spot for Rolls Royce and BMW cars. To him BMWs are extremely sporty, powerful, reliable, and the best diesel engine cars he has driven. He also considers them to be practical daily vehicles.
Regarding Rolls Royce, he says that it remains the best car in the world despite it is no longer British owned. Early 1970s to 1990s models can still be bought cheaply; they are not more expensive than a standard second hand car sold in Malta. Nobody wants them mostly because of their size, fuel consumption and fear of maintenance costs. Others simply do not wish to be seen dead in them, claims Zammit, adding that they make a great Sunday ride despite the pot holes!
He says that some people prefer splashing out €70,000 plus on a good quality modern car, when they could easily opt to buy three or four up-and-coming classic cars instead. Zammit argues that it is whether one believes in owning new cars or second hand ones to start with. Unfortunately, the minute one drives a new car out of the showroom, and despite the satisfaction of owning a new car, depreciation kicks in immediately, while true classics will hold their price, and even go up.
“My advice is to buy well. Admittedly, classic cars need more work, but they are a safe investment which you are in control of, besides enjoying your vehicle at leisure. Maintenance is not always a problem. Run them regularly and you will encounter less trouble. Leaving them garaged and idle necessitates repairs, maintenance and expense.”
Despite having this passion for classic cars, Zammit is very quick to point out that, as an enthusiast, the thrill of it all is not who you are or what marque you drive. “The most important thing is that you derive pleasure from whatever you own and drive, even if it is an old wreck on four wheels, as my wife Caroline often describes my cars.
Old motors are like people. They have their own individual characteristics,” Zammit explains.
Old motors are like people. They have their own individual characteristics
“The enjoyment I get from driving a classic is that each one has its different personality traits, with their own idiosyncratic problems and handling. A modern car has far less character, as today you get a lot of look alikes.”
He is quick to point out that in more than three decades of driving, he has only owned one brand new car, a 2004 supercharged Mini Cooper S 1600cc. It is his daily practical car; however he has no plans to be behind the wheels of another new vehicle soon.
Although busily with business and non-car-related organisations, Zammit still finds time to be associated with a number of motoring clubs and bodies, both locally and abroad. There is the UK Rolls Royce Enthusiasts’ Club, the Ferrari Owners Club Malta, the Mini Owners Club Malta, and the Old Motors Club.
He serves as chairperson of the Malta Motor Sport Federation Historic and Classic subcommittee, and he is also a founding member of the Valletta Grand Prix Foundation. He opines that the Valletta Grand Prix can easily become an annual international circuit for historic car racing like Monaco – a view reinforced through feedback by international participants and motor critics.
As a participant, Zammit is extremely competitive, and in 2009 placed second in the overall timed sprint classifications in his 1971 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1 V8 6.7 litre engine, whilst in the following year he came in third in the Open Class with the same car.
Zammit still enjoys travelling by car with the family, combining the overseas trips with international events, car museums, and car shows. He continues to yearn for two things: owning a Rolls Royce Corniche convertible III or IV, and participating in the spectacular Mille Miglia event.