Steering with nostalgia

NT BUZZ explores the rising love of vintage and classic vehicles in the state, especially among younger generations

CHRISTINE MACHADO

Up until the late ‘80s, David Velho’s father drove a 1967 VW Beetle before switching to a Mahindra Jeep. The older car was then relegated to a corner, where it sat unused for years. “We never really appreciated it for what it was back then; the culture around vintage cars wasn’t what it is today,” says Velho.

Over time, he began meeting people who took pride in their cars and got the chance to drive a few. “Something just clicked. I realised there was something genuinely special about these machines,” he says. In mid-2023, the family decided to restore the VW Beetle. The work was done in Mumbai by Loyal Fernandes and took 18 months.

What stood out for Velho after this was seeing his mother sit in the car for the first time. “She had never sat in it before. By the time she married my dad, it was already lying unused. So she only got to ride in it after the restoration,” he says. “Seeing her finally experience it and appreciate everything that had gone into bringing it back meant a lot to me.” 

Shilton De Menezes, too, has fond memories tied to his restored cars. “I have a 1957 Volkswagen Beetle and a 1968 Beetle. One belonged to my grandfather and the other to my dad,” he says. As a youngster, he recalls trips to their village home in his father’s car, during summer to collect fruits. Eventually, both cars were left unused. “On a friend’s suggestion, we decided to get them running again,” he says. While his friend David helped revive the 1968 Beetle, another friend Reuben worked on the 1957 model.

Indeed, for many young owners of classic and vintage cars in Goa today, the love for these is inherited.

“My grandfather, a well-known businessman of his time, used to buy imported cars. He had a keen eye but because spare parts and mechanics weren’t easily available, he had to sell them. That’s where my interest comes from. As a kid, I would read about cars and sketch them,” says Nathan Fernandes, who owns a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300D that he found in a friend’s workshop in Bengaluru.

He adds that the model is often called the Million Mile car due to its high quality. “It can even run on used vegetable oil,” he says. Fernandes used his savings to get it running and drove it to Goa in 2017. Since then, he has taken it on trips across the country, especially along the west coast.

“I love these cars because there was a sense of purpose in the design and it was about showcasing engineering supremacy. No two cars looked the same,” he says.

Velho too feels that whether it’s the curves of a Beetle or the silhouette of a vintage Mercedes, you could always tell them apart. “Modern cars are capable but design has become more uniform over the years, with similar lines, proportions and lighting.”

He adds that older cars offer a different driving experience. “There are no ‘smart’ features or touchscreens; it’s just you and the car,” he says. “Modern cars have a slight delay between pressing the accelerator and the car actually responding. In older cars, the response is immediate. It may seem minor but it makes the car feel alive, like it’s listening to you.”

This connection is also highlighted by Russel Rodrigues, who enjoys restoring vintage cars, and traces his interest back to childhood visits to rallies and exhibitions with his parents. “Vintage cars are more than machines. They have a character, a soul, and a connection between the driver and the car. They tell the story of their time and were built to last,” he says. His personal favourite in his collection is a 1970 Fiat 1100 Delight, that he restored in 2018.

This difference in character between old and new cars is what led Simran Rastogi, a former automobile journalist, to step away from the profession. “New cars are increasingly about features, how many speakers, whether there’s a 360-degree camera. But driving comes down to the basics: steering, brakes and engine,” he says.

Rastogi owns a 1984 Maruti 800. “It was an everyday car. Most families had one at some point. There was nothing flashy about it so people moved on from it. But in the last decade, its popularity has grown,” he says, adding that he initially picked it up as a restoration project but decided to keep it.

He also points to cost as a factor. “Older cars are relatively more affordable.Plus it gets you that freedom of being behind the wheels and also gives you a taste of old cars,” he says.

The appeal extends beyond owners. Rodrigues says his car often draws attention on the road. “They appreciate its beauty. Some recall their younger days.”

Maintenance, however, can be demanding. “It requires patience, whether it’s figuring out a problem, finding a mechanic or sourcing parts. Most things are available but it depends on how much time and money you’re willing to put in,” says Rastogi.

Fernandes echoes this. “It’s not easy, but if you’re invested, you make it work. I fly a mechanic down from Mumbai and line up multiple cars at once. Parts are easier to source now, especially online. It’s far simpler than it was in the ‘90s and early 2000s,” he says.

Regular use is key, says Fabian Franco. “These cars need to be driven. That’s what keeps them running well,” he says. Franco, who owns a 1960 Fiat Super Select restored by Rodrigues during the COVID-19 period, says his interest began with vintage bikes before extending to cars. “There’s something about them, the design and the history. They feel different from modern cars,” he says.

“Maintaining them is a discipline. You need to understand the vehicle, service it regularly and drive it often,” adds Rodrigues, noting the growing interest through rallies and community events. Adding to this, Franco says that in places like Goa, where many of these cars have been passed down within families, it’s good to see interest return.

After all, says Velho, a car is meant to be used and maintained. “Seeing these cars on the road is far better than seeing them left neglected in a garage,” he says.

(‘Timesless wheels on heritage Goan streets’, a display of vintage and classic cars will be held on May 2, 9 a.m. onwards at Francisco Luis Gomes Garden, Campal. It will be followed by a rally through Panaji city)