Japanese classics coming - Vintage-car club opts for Oriental inclusion

Brian Bonitto, Special Assignment Editor

The Jamaica Classic Car Club is expanding its ranks to include Japanese-made vintage vehicles. Currently, the club's roster only includes American-, British- and German-made cars, all 20 years and older.

"We are currently doing our research on these Japanese cars and will develop a list of classics at our next meeting in September," said Nigel McFarlane, president of the classic car outfit.

"It's not every 20-year-old Japanese car

is a classic and we, as members of the club, will have to decide on which ones should qualify," he continued.

The organisation's decision is expected to have a far-reaching effect, as the Jamaica Trade Board currently consults with the Jamaica Classic Car Club when granting licences to persons who wish to import classic cars into the island.

McFarlane, who assumed the driver's seat of the 22-year old club last November, explained how applications to import vintage Japanese cars into the island are currently processed.

cars for submission

"As it relates to Japanese cars, we currently make a decision on the spot whenever an application comes to us. So, we are now in the process of preparing a list of those imported cars from Japan which we feel should be classified as classic car for submission to the Trade Board," he said. "That list is to be approved and signed off by the our board at its next meeting. This list will be reviewed each year," he said.

In addition, McFarlane said the club has been getting membership requests from owners of vintage Japanese vehicles.

"There are some cars which most members agree should be termed classics, such as the first generation of rotary Mazda," the club president said. "There is also the Mazda Miata convertible which was made popular by radio personality Barrington 'Barry G' Gordon, who had one some time ago. But we are now working to compile a comprehensive list."

In keeping with its thrust of being more visible to the public, the Jamaica Classic Car Club is taking its show on the road today as it heads to Clarendon.

"We'll be in May Pen this Sunday [today]," the president said. "We'll be at the TOTAL Service Station at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and Glenmuir Road at 1 p.m."

McFarlane said the day-out is geared towards exposing the Jamaica Classic Car Club's collection of vehicles to the public, while using the opportunity to meet owners of vintage vehicles who are seeking to be members of our club.

"We find that Mandeville has a high number of classic-car owners. Unfortunately, they are not part of our club, but I'm hoping they will attend the road show so we can answer any queries they might have," McFarlane told Automotives.

The club president said since the start of the year, his organisation has been taking its cars around the island.

"We did a run to St Thomas in March. In April we went to Port Royal and we were at Devon House in July. We also participated in the Independence Day Gala parade," said McFarlane.

"We are using the out-of-town activities to build the public image of the club," he concluded.

The Jamaica Classic Car Club currently has 150 members islandwide.

brian.bonitto@gleanerjm.com