Jeremy Clarkson once said that the Morris Minor was Britain’s Volkswagen Beetle. The two classics share space in Christopher Scicluna’s garage.
There is complete agreement that in recent years, there has been a significant surge in interest in old motors in Malta – this is both as regards the number of new owners of classic cars, as well as the spectators who flock to the ever increasing activities involving such vehicles.
Such a development may be taken at face value: some people buy or restore an old car, and other people go to see them.
For Christopher Scicluna, there is a far more interesting and deeper sociological explanation to this development.
“This is all part of a national wave of appreciation of old things from a bygone era, a sort of rejection of the bustle of modern life, and an attempt to return to simpler roots,” he said.
“As a nation this trend was first noticed in the sector of old property. In no time, long-abandoned village cores assumed new importance and house restoration became an industry.”
The same thing happened with old furniture. Suddenly antiques became popular for more than a select few. Antiques shops sprouted like mushrooms.
In recent years, the focus turned to old motors. Happily, old cars are no longer being dumped in the countryside. Expert restorers and enthusiasts now pride themselves in turning rust buckets into heritage on four wheels.
Old cars are also being imported thick and fast, aided and abetted by favourable conditions introduced by the authorities some years ago, and, more recently, the depreciation of sterling.
For Scicluna, there are several aspects to classic cars, not least the historic element and the calmer way of doing things, even though his favourite spectator sport is Formula 1.
Much like property and antiques, classic cars in good condition can be a good financial investment
He is envious of mechanics and enthusiasts who manage, after thorough research, to bring the old vehicles, sometimes having been abandoned or battered beyond recognition, back to showroom condition.
There is also a financial element. Much like property and antiques, classic cars in good condition can be a good financial investment, something which has not been lost on some far sighted Maltese.
Scicluna grew up in a classic car environment. His father JP owned a 1961 Morris 1000, while his uncle Paul Cutajar has a 1937 Dodge. Late last year, Scicluna and his wife Mariella started talking about getting a classic car.
“We agreed to start looking around for one – it was one of the easiest decisions that we had taken jointly in our lives. Very soon we found one in Gozo. As fate would have it, it was a light blue 1961 Morris Minor, similar to the one my father drove. It was advertised in the press, and since we had already planned to go to Gozo for the weekend, we decided to go view it.”
He bought the Morris, which was in a relatively good condition. It had been refurbished but still needed some work. He improved the upholstery and restored the lighting to its original specifications. Some light body and mechanical tasks were also carried out, in order to eliminate annoying noise.
The Morris 1000 came on the market in 1948 and production continued until 1972. Designed by a team led by Alex Issigonis – immortalised for the later Mini – it featured three series, the Minor (1948), the Minor 11 (1952), and the 1000 (1956), each series coming out with more significant and improved changes. Today the Morris 1000 is one of the most popular classic cars around, helped partly by a great backup background, including the availability of parts.
Jeremy Clarkson – of Top Gear fame – once said that the Morris Minor was Britain’s Volkswagen Beetle. Scicluna also made that connection because, having caught the old motors bug, earlier this year he bought a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle.
“The beige coloured Beetle was in a good condition, and apart from normal maintenance, there was very little to work to do. Having said that, my wife spent a busy period repairing its upholstery”.
With the German icon now in shipshape condition, Scicluna decided to take it through its paces, and together with his wife and daughter Naomi, last May joined the annual Old Motors Club trip to Sicily. The classic Beetle went through the trip with flying colours.
The Beetle, also known as the Type 1, was a two-door, rear engine economy car produced between 1938 and 1962. Developed by Ferdinand Porsche, it underwent many changes in its lifetime. A very popular car – more than 21 million were sold – it was produced in many other countries besides Germany.
Scicluna stresses the fact that his two classic cars, while iconic, are basic and present no complications. Simplicity is their joy, unlike modern cars which are flooded with sophisticated techniques and gizmos. The only accessory to be found is the Volkswagen’s radio.
Another big advantage of their lack of sophistication is that he is not technically inclined.
“I admire people who can work on old cars, like my uncle Paul, who restored the old Dodge at a time when there was no internet to help out in sourcing parts.
“Unlike me, my son Simon is mechanically inclined. He has bought a 1986 Fiat Regata 7DS – identical to the first car I bought many years ago. I followed my father in the Morris way, and now my son has followed me, albeit in the Fiat direction!”
Expanding on the family theme, Scicluna said that buying an old car is a project involving all the family, especially the wife.
“There is a joke in the family, in that the Volkswagen is for her, while the Morris is for me”.
He feels that his classic cars have turned his life around.
“Before, I used to be totally immersed in my work. Now I have got a life, a view also shared by my colleagues.
“New aspects of social life have opened up following membership of the Old Motors Club, where you meet a cross section of people from different backgrounds”.
Scicluna’s only regret is the fragmentation of the classic cars sector. While specialisation is good, the proliferation of clubs and groups for so many brands and marques can in the end be detrimental to all.