Spotted! Classic Beauties at Medan Pasar, KL

 

I was at Medan Pasar in Kuala Lumpur when I stumbled upon these absolute beauties -- two gleaming vintage cars parked side by side like time travellers from a more elegant era. It’s not every day you see such automotive gems in the heart of the city, surrounded by towering office blocks and colonial façades.

Since I'm no classic car aficionado, got my good friend ChatGPT to enlighten us all. Haha. 

On the right is a blue Austin Seven, a compact British car affectionately called “the baby Austin.” Produced between the 1920s and 1930s, it was one of the most popular cars in Britain -- affordable, reliable, and stylish in its own quaint way. Today, surviving Austin Sevens like this one are prized collectibles, fetching anywhere from RM70,000 to RM120,000, especially if lovingly restored with original parts.



Next to it is a grey Standard Vanguard, a sleek post-war British sedan from the late 1940s. Its wide chrome grille, rounded body and understated luxury reflected a new age of optimism after World War II. The Vanguard was the first entirely new British car design after the war, and it still carries a commanding presence. Well-restored examples can go for RM100,000 to RM160,000, though finding one in such immaculate condition is quite rare.



Sat there for a bit, imagining how Kuala Lumpur must’ve looked and sounded decades ago -- the purr of these engines echoing down Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, the air thick with charm, petrol fumes and possibilities.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Japanese WW2 Soldier Who Found Islam In Malaya

Image
I’ve just watched In Search of the Unreturned Japanese Soldiers  in Malaysia ( 1971 ), and it’s one of those documentaries that stays with you long after it ends. Famed director  Shôhei Imamura sets out to find Japanese soldiers who never went home after World War II, choosing instead to remain in Malaya . The search feels awkward and unfinished, which somehow makes it more honest. History, after all, rarely wraps things up neatly. The most memorable figure is “ A-lee ”, a former Japanese soldier who stayed on and later embraced Islam . Listening to him speak about the religion — quietly, sincerely, without drama — is unexpectedly moving. Who would have thought that after war, defeat and displacement, a Japanese soldier would find peace in Islam? There are no easy conclusions here, no grand moral lesson. Just the reminder that when wars end on paper, lives continue in all sorts of unpredictable ways. Some people return home. Others don’t. And sometimes, in the aftermath, they...
Read more

Ross Ariffin Meninggal Dunia

Image
 Innalillahiwainnailaihirojiun. Ross Ariffin was the one who gave me my first real break in songwriting -- he opened the door for my lyrics to be sung by local artistes. I got to know him through his ex-wife, who happened to be my editor when I first started freelancing. Our first project together was an album he produced for a newcomer, Ira Khairani. I wrote lyrics for three of her songs -- not bad for a rookie at the time. I also had the opportunity to write lyrics for one of his compositions for Fauziah Latiff. Ross later introduced me to Edwin of SRC, who signed me on, and that eventually led to me writing for Siti, Liza Hanim, Aqasha, and others. Ross was a brilliant producer and a classically-trained musician. I first noticed him when he won a regional songwriting competition, and later he cemented his name in the industry by winning Anugerah Juara Lagu with 'Kau Dan Aku'. Semoga ditempatkan di kalangan orang yang beriman.
Read more

Ol’ Skool Makan #3: Haji Shariff Cendol -- A Sweet Legacy Of Seremban

Image
I won’t miss this one -- not a chance. Every time I’m in Seremban , Haji Shariff Cendol is a must-stop. It’s conveniently near Jalan Nunis , so much so that I’d always snap a photo of my bowl of cendol and send it to my friend Graig Nunis -- just for the fun of it. Along with that, I’d order the rojak , because really, what’s a perfect bowl of cendol without its savoury, nutty partner in crime? The history here goes way back. The late Haji Shariff Haji Dolman started selling cendol around 1930 , pushing his cart around the streets of Seremban before finally setting up shop in town. His recipe was simple but unforgettable -- smooth shaved ice, thick creamy coconut milk, rich gula Melaka , and those trademark bright-green cendol strands made fresh daily. The business has since passed through generations, but that old-school taste still hits the spot every single time. The outlet itself remains charmingly no-frills. You queue, you order, you get your bowl, and for a few blissful minut...
Read more