CLASSIC CRAZE

“I used to take my aunt for shopping just so that I could drive their cars, in return I used to get chocolate” recalls Sikander Ali khan as he passes by his neatly lined up, shinning classical cars. At the age of 85 he is still as passionate about cars as he was seven decades ago.

“My grandfather used to own a Rover 1920 model that was one of its kinds, previously driven by the governor of Bombay” narrates Sikander Ali, the idea of having, one of a kind, car fascinated him and that’s where his passion for cars arose, today he owns seven classic cars and 10 motorcycles.

At the age of 16, Sikander Ali bought his first 125cc motorcycle for Rs 1600 on monthly instalments of Rs50 then later on in 1947 bought his first Fiat car for Rs 600 from a friend. For his age Sikander Ali has an exceptional memory. He remembers every single detail of each car he has ever driven, even the places he bought them from, their models or their cost.

In this porch, rests a shining spotless golden 500-B Fiat Topolino, half a century old, which has a history of its own. It was previously owned by sikander’s sister, until 1967, when it was presented to her nephew, Masoor, who was four years of age that time. It was of no use for him and suggestions were made to sell it and buy toys for him instead. It was merely junk which was worth nothing. If it wasn’t for Mr Sikander’s reluctance it would have been sold for Rs 350 to a ‘kabari’. A lot of effort and money was spent to bring the Fiat back to life. It still has its original indicators and dash board with new build in TV stereo, knight rider signals and many other modern gadgets. Topolino has won the oldest car prize five times in the 80s. The half a century old Fiat unbelievably has its original Speedo meter and fuel tank signals, in working conditions.

” my mechanics know me and they know my cars”, claimed Sikander, rather than taking the cars to a garage he prefers calling the mechanics home. He loves his cars and doesn’t hire anyone to look after them; in fact he prefers cleaning and polishing them himself.

As one walks from the porch to the backyard, nuts and bolts can be seen lying around with the other tools used to fix his vehicles. From the end of the corridor, one can clearly view his motorcycles lined up, covered with sheets. Vesta 125cc, Zymco 70cc, Tiger scoter 49cc, Honda 200cc, Scoter Chopper175cc and Eagle Star (electric bike) 50 watts, are a few amongst his 10 bikes.

Sikander Ali with his grandson

 

He finds pleasure in showing off his cars. Every Sunday Sikander visits the Sunday Car Bazaar on their special request,”They appreciate me and ask me to bring my cars to the show“, he claims that they add value to the place and don’t even charge me. For them it’s an advertising that will encourage more people to bring their antiques. “My sons have always encouraged me and help me maintain my cars.” Sikander Ali has been an active member of Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan and participated in a few more car shows. “Whenever there are car shows they call me but it’s a fatigue taking cars there, I am old now and I get tired.”

Sikander Ali was born in Hyderbadh Dhankan India, adopted as an infant and bought up by his grandmother. “When people ask me about my qualification I tell them I went to Aligarh University India. I don’t tell them I flunked in my intermediate exams.” he confessed with a smile. Later on, he migrated to Pakistan in search of work and has struggled a lot in his life to reach where he is today.