Old Car Ownership is Rewarding Most Times, but it Can Be Punishing Too

Well, it’s February, and February has a 14th – a day when you suddenly discover you need to declare your love towards someone. Wonder what happens during the rest of the 364 days. Anyway, I don’t know how big a celebration Valentine’s Day is in other parts of the world, but thanks to opportunistic marketers in India, it does seem to be a big deal here. I’m a bit of a cynical curmudgeon if you know what I mean, but go ahead, let me not stop you from declaring your love and spending money to keep India’s economy going.

Since it is February, and February has a 14th, I, too, might as well declare my undying love: to Miriam, my 1960 LHD Volkswagen Beetle, wearing an improbably bright shade of green and orange seats with ivory piping. And boy, this love affair has indeed kept not just the local, but the international economy buzzing. Restoring her was a massive exercise which I have written about here earlier. What I really enjoyed is the great supportive classic Volkswagen community spread across the country that pitches in when you need technical help and assistance. And others assist you in getting parts from across the world – rubber beadings from Brazil to the gear lever boot from the UK, fender indicators from Mexico to those little plugs that cover the door bolts from Thailand. The restorers and their workforce in India are another solid community altogether – they may compete, but they also collaborate to ensure that your car comes alive. Collectors, too, are never envious but truly appreciate the love of your life, and this is best seen during group drives. Love is family, and the entire classic car family is indeed loving. This is one of the best aspects of owning an old-timer.

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Love is not blind. Old cars – even if they were never known for their design – exude character that no modern car can match. The way the sheet metal is folded in imaginative curves and shapes and how it catches the light can take your breath away. Even the way the doors open and shut evokes an unmatched sensation. And then there’s the smell – which is absolutely unique in old-timers. Speaking of Miriam, it’s a combination of unburnt fuel, some hydrocarbon residue escaped from the engine, painted metal panels, and bakelite switchgear with a dash of oil… Hmm, divine.

Then, of course, is the joy of driving. Truly, I really feel for enthusiasts who have not experienced the joy of driving old cars – they don’t know what they’re missing. Because driving a classic is an affirmation of love; to me, driving Miriam is an act of love. Take it the way you want! The reason I say that is because to drive an old car, you have to be mindful. You cannot zone out like in a modern car, which is designed to make the drive effortless. Old cars were designed to be operated – like complex machinery – if you know what I mean. It takes two to drive an old car, not one.

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Throttle response is generally hesitant, braking is truly reluctant, gearshifts cannot be flippant, reversing needs to be vigilant and steering begs for muscle relaxant! It is this mindfulness that makes all the difference between piloting a classic versus a new one.

All good love stories have some sad bits, too. To me, that is typically others on bikes and cars who are completely blind; they give a damn that these old-timers can stall at traffic signals or that their braking can be telegraphic. I am surprised by how many people are capable of riding and driving in India with their brains safely locked in their commodes at home – truly, a wonder of nature. The other bit is the cumbersome paperwork and the general administrative hassles of ownership. The worst is what old-timer vehicle owners in the NCR have to endure – they simply cannot drive them on the roads in that part of the world! I truly feel sorry for collectors over there.

The true attribute of classic car love is the joy it brings all around. It never fails to light up people’s eyes and bring a smile to their faces – no modern cars can do that, not even exceptional sports cars. Finally, every love story is unique. In the case of classic and vintage cars and bikes, it is twice as unique – because each machine is special. Sniff, sniff… who’s cutting onions at this hour?