When a British Royal Air Force commander shipped his car to Malta to use it as a staff vehicle during World War II he would have never imagined that, half a century later, it would be paraded among other vintage gems.
After serving during the war and surviving over 30 years of abandonment after that, the 1934 Vauxhall DX was brought back to a roaring life by car enthusiast John Magri who yesterday showed it off during a rally that kicked off the celebrations of United Automobile Ltd's (UAL) 25 years of Opel operations in Malta.
Standing by his perfectly polished, black Vauxhall Mr Magri recounted how it was brought to Malta by a high-ranking RAF official to be used as a staff car. When the official left Malta after the war, the car was handed over to his Maltese driver who made use of it for a few years then left it idle for about 32 years.
By his early 20s - already a car enthusiast and with a soft spot for Vauxhalls - Mr Magri had been eyeing the vehicle and had expressed his interest in buying it several times.
When the owner passed away, the car was inherited by his sister who agreed to sell it to Mr Magri for Lm800 (€1,864). The car was in a relatively good state. The engine still ran but the paintwork needed some attention and Mr Magri restored it to its original glory.
Some years later Mr Magri wrote to the Vauxhall representatives in Luton to enquire about some spare parts. He was soon contacted by members of the Vauxhall Museum who were surprised to learn that a 1934 DX model was still around and in Malta. The museum had the car photographed and today its image is displayed in the museum instead of a car body.
This vintage 1934 Vauxhall is the oldest vehicle in Mr Magri's collection that includes a 1946 Chevrolet, a 1948 Morris Minor tourer, a 1961 MG Midget and a 1969 Hillman.
"I love them all and will not give away or sell any of them so long as I live. I just wish I had more time to enjoy them," he said adding that the only problem with vintage and classic cars was finding the right spare parts. His deep appreciation for these cars stems from their unique handmade characteristics that contrast with today's mass produced vehicles. For him there is no comparison between driving a modern car and a vintage vehicle. "Driving one of these vintage cars is what driving really means."
During the rally, organised by UAL in collaboration with the Old Motor's Club, over 25 Opel and Vauxhall (the British badge for Opel since General Motors purchased the company in 1939) models were paraded through Malta's roads showcasing the brand's evolution throughout the years.
Other Vauxhall models included a 1933 BLX Vauxhall, 1948 Vauxhall 14, 1948 Vauxhall 12, 1952 Vauxhall Wyvren and a 1959 Vauxhall Cresta. From the Opel range there were 1960s Rekords and Cadets and 1950s Kapitans.
Modern Opel models, that also participated in the rally, included the Corsa, the Zafira, the Astra GTC and the Astra TwinTop.
The event was rounded off with the planting of trees in Ta' Xbiex to commemorate Opel's commitment towards the environment. In celebration of Opel's silver anniversary, UAL is offering discounted prices and other deals on Opels throughout June.
For more information e-mail info@unitedautomobile.com.mt or phone 2132 0560/1.