PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s 12th annual Vintage and Classic Car Show kicked off in the city of Peshawar on Sunday, where dozens of vehicles from as far back as the 1930s — from Mercedes to Chevrolet and Austin-Healey — were on full display after touring the country’s north.
Some 50 cars, including the Chevrolet Master Deluxe 1935, Austin-Healey 1954, Mercedes 1954, Triumph TR2, 1955, Ford Thunderbird 1955, and MGA 1959, reached the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as they rallied the busiest border trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in an exercise that provincial authorities hope would help multiply business and tourism activity in the region.
“By arranging this show, basically we want to boost tourism of the province and merged districts, which has huge potential to contribute to the national economy,” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority spokesman Saad bin Awais told Arab News on Sunday.
People check a 1966 Mercedes during the 12th Vintage and Classic Cars Show in Peshawar, Pakistan, on November 14, 2021. (AN photo)
Enthusiasts of vintage automobiles arrived in Peshawar from Islamabad, Lahore and as far as the southern port city of Karachi.
Families and car enthusiasts strolled around the valuable autos taking photos and speaking to the owners.
Muhammad Abbas Hayat who brought his Austin 8 tourer model from 1938 said fellow car lovers appreciated how he managed to restore the car’s original look.
“When I purchased this car 15-year ago it was in very bad condition. I fully restored it to 1100cc carbureted four-cylinder engine to its original condition,” he said. “Car lovers are astonished to see an old car being restored to its original shape. This is a good opportunity to meet like-minded friends from across Pakistan.”
A 1938 Austin-8 tourer takes part in the 12th Vintage and Classic Cars Show in Peshawar, Pakistan, on November 14, 2021. (AN photo)
Authorities see the show as an opportunity to boost the local economy by promoting other forms of cultural entertainment as traditional dancers and musicians performed at the weekend event.
“We observed unprecedented enthusiasm among participants, car lovers and owners of old vehicles,” Awais said. “There are huge openings for promoting tourism, which in return will provide employment and stabilize the economy of the province.”
