Every country which is collectively conscious of, and cares for, its national culture and heritage makes it a point to develop some forrn of a museum of its transport history. Such facilities gradually establish themselves as an attractive magnet both for the locals as well as foreigners, drawing countless visitors who flock in fora nostalgic taste of how transport was tackled in yesteryear.

For some reason or other, Malta seems to have missed this Midas Bus. Despite the positive feedback from tourists who fall in love with our still operational old buses, and who describe the various old vehicles which still ply regularly our congested roads as a "living and mowing museum", we have so far failed to capitalize on this unique asset. We go through great pains in trying to find out what local trails and characteristics brand Malta best, conjuring the abstract while being oblivious to the concrete, blind to the fact that we do not have to reinvent the wheel - for the wheel is already at hand!

For what better flagship, sign or symbol synonymous with Malta and the Maltese than the dozens of old
motors of all shapes and sorts which are still driven daily or intermittently, stoic and resilient in the face    - — of adversity, belying their advancing years, defying the less than user friendly reads, and in the process, accomplishing their mission? They are a living tribute to the innovative skills, ingenuity and dexterity of Maltese craftsmanship, for many of them have arisen, phoenix-like, from the ashes of iron heaps in rundown scrapyards and abandoned fields. Besides the visible vehicles, one must also consider the plethora of motors concealed from the light of day in garages, beautiful in the eyes of the beholder, but unable to make it on to the road.

Yet there is some lighten the end of the long, dark tunnel. Hope springs eternal, as I found out recently when I met Charles Zahra, who is the delegate of the Old Motors Club to the Federazzjoni Nazzjonali Vetturi Antiki (EWA). The Federation, which was set up in 1998, is made up of the 019C, the Military Vehicles Collectors Club, and the Historic Motor Cycle Club, with an overall membership of more than 400. Charles reveals that the FMVA is the latest organization to take up the cudgels in the campaign for the setting up of a National Transport Museum.

"We have already had meetings with two Ministers, and eventually we intend to bring the project to a successful end", discloses an enthusiastic Charles. "This is also being done as a sign of respect for the dream of the late and lamented Julian Zammit; our fundamental principles would be similar to his vision, but our project will not be a business enterprise". Here Charles quickly adds that one has to mention the enterprising Carol Galea, who has a private collection Museum of old cars in Qawra, which is open to the public, but the National Transport Museum would have a broader concept, incorporating not only vintage, veteran and classic cars, but also buses, trucks, fire engines and horse drawn carriages.

To say that Charles is totally enamoured of old cars is an understatement As a child, he passed with flying colours all the de rigueur prerequisites essential to lire eventual development of a life long intimate affair with old vehicles. "I was a keen collector of model cars, building up a significant assembly of around 200 Matchbox, Husky and Corgi products. They were complimented by a plastic Ferrari pedal car, which was my pride and joy!", he recalls with fond memories. All these items are still in his possession today, as I had the opportunity to observe from close quarters, neatly stacked on large wooden shelves in his garage. And four other iron pedal cars have joined the Ferrari - Charles is always on the lookout for them!

His father Alfred bought a brand new white Jaguar 240 in 1969. "I remember that he traded in his Opel Kapitan for it, which only reduced the purchase price by around LM200", he recounts. "Sundays were a special day, as the whole family went on trips in this eye catching vehicle. My father was very friendly with Fr. Charles Vella, the founder of the Cana Movement; when Fr. Charles had ecclesiastical VIPs visiting Malta, he would ask him a favour, and my father would chauffeur them around the island!". Other celebrities to travel in the Jaguar were Albano and Romina Powell, as well as singer Amie Stewart.

While at St. Aloysius College, Charles struck up a close friendship with a school mate, Silvan Said, a friendship which is still going strong today. Silvan's father was very keen on old cars, and possessed a 1928 Nash, a Standard 12, and a Topolino. The two boys would spend endless hours discussing the attributes of these vehicles, and this developed further Charles' passion in no small way.

After his A levels, Charles went straight into the family business. His first car was a FIAT 127, way back in 1981. Alter some time, he bought an Alpha Romeo Spider for restoration, but he had to give this up owing to family commitments. Gradually he started to drive his father's Jaguar, and eventually, the vehicle was handed over to him in the 19900, still in its original condition.

Charles has a soft spotter Alpha Romeo cars. In 1992 he bought a 1963 Bereme designed Alpha Romeo 2600 Sprint for restoration. "It is still in the condition Inc purchased it, although overall it is not in a very had condition. It is a rare car in Malta, with electric windows and a leather interior, and an unusual blue/green colour, which the company's Historical Centre refers teas Bluetr, he explains as he checks the fine details in a large box file in his meticulously kept and organized office at his Balzan home.
In 1994, he came across a 1960 touring designed Alpha Romeo Spider 2000 which he added to his collection. 'The car was dismantled in 1998, and now we are at the fourth restoration attempt", chuckles Charles ruefully. "I have been to three other restorers, but they are always ever so busy with the other car insurance jobs! I have procured for it parts from the UK, USA, Italy and Belgium. Eventually it will sport its original red colour. It is also a very rare car, possibly only two exist in Malta. Carol Galea has one at his Qawra Museum, and I often go there to check details for reference". To ensure that nothing goes amiss, Charles has also bought another two Alpha cars to be cannibalized and their parts harnessed in the restoration of the Sprint and the Spider.

Although the British Jaguar tops his preference list, his unabashed admiration for Italian cars, and his passion for left hand drive vehicles, is there for all to see. This inclination has led Charles to the purchase of two FIAT cars for eventual restoration, a 1965 850 Series 1, and a 1967 Sports Coupe Series 2. "The Sports Coupe has an interesting story. It was brought to Malta by a former Italian ambassador, Borg. Eric Darin, who liked it so much here, that he decided to continue residing in the island after his term of office. I bought it from the embassy staff; it is roadworthy, but still needs rehabilitation", recounts Charles.

United we stand, divided we fall is a motto Charles strictly adheres to, for he firmly believes that by allying all resources, old motors enthusiasts can make headway in developing their pastime, both for the personal as well as the national benefit. He joined the now defunct Collectors Vehicles Club (CVO in the 1980s.There he met people like Godwin Hampton and Julian Zammit, who were among the pioneers of the Old Motors Club. Since joining the 019C. Charles has held a number of committee positions, including vice chairman for a number of years. "In this role I established good relations with the International Car Club of Taormina, and this led to the organization of the first OMC car trip to Sicily, which has now become a regular feature in the club's calendar. states Charles with visible satisfaction. "The Italian connection and contacts also gave me the impetus of organising a Federation of local motor transport clubs".

Dwelling on the ethos of the FMVA, Charles says that essentially it is a lobby group, aiming to discuss with the relevant authorities problems and proposals for the development of the old motors sector. "Despite its relatively short history, the Federation can already boast of two significant achievements", he proudly proclaims. "2003 saw the introduction of a favourable road tax and first registration tax for vehicles produced prior to 1971. The last Budget has now advanced this date to 1975, thanks to the EWA efforts".

How can an old car owner apply for this concession, I ask? Charles explains that one has to supply five photos of the vehicle (the car interior, the engine, and three external shots) together with a signed declaration, which one gets from the Malta Transport Authority (ADT). The application is wetted by an ADT Board comprising nominees from the organisation itself, the FMVA and a representative of the Transport Minister, who incidentally happens to be Charles. "In three years, we have had 1400 applications for consideration", reveals Charles. "Now that the date has been moved to 1975, the number will increase in no small way!" The Board meets once a month to vet all pending applications, and an answer is received within a month. Most of the disqualifications are due to the fact that engines would not be original.

The other feather in the FMVA cap concerns the question of undocumented vehicles. Until the last Budget old cars found in Malta in a dilapidated state without official documentation, were not entitled to official recognition and registration. Now, following pressure from the FMVA, the same ADT Board has been empowered to deal with this burning issue, so that such vehicles, which have been properly restored, would have their position normalized.

Charles has a penchant for old motorcycles too, an influence which has been sown by close friends. He has a restored, but rarely used 1941 Matchless 350 G31. A 1939 Arid 350 WNG stands static in the wings, awaiting a rebuilding job. With all these tasks on old cars and cycles still to be carried out, how adept is he at getting some of the work done by himself? "I am not very technically minded and gifted, especially when it comes to working on my own. But with encouragement from similar soul mates, I can get down to business and get my hands dirty. But I need direction and guidance", he readily admits.

His work takes him frequently abroad, and he tries to combine business with his pastime. Charles has also been a member of the UK Jaguar Drivers Club for the past twenty years. Unfortunately time constraints mean that he does not participate in WIC evenis as much as he would like to. But he endeavours to take part in as many navigational rallies and runs as possible. They are his forte, as testified by a gleaming row of different cups and trophies displayed prominently on a shelf in his office. "I find these rallies and runs very challenging and mentally stimulating", he elaborates. 'There is an amount of thinking and calculation to be done. I have frequently been on the winning podium, placing first, second or third in several rallies, with people like Albert Pisani, Ivan Sammut and Dr. Louis Deguara as co drivers and navigators. Lately my son Paul has been accompanying me. Although only 16, he is very keenly interested in old cars, and is definitely more technically minded than his father! Unfortunately, my wife Claire and my daughter Michela, display only lukewarm feelings towards this pastime".

There are men (and women, too) who thrive on challenges and mental stimulation, and whose adrena-
line levels need frequent pumping. Charles is definitely one of them. With such a challenge as the setting up of a National Transport Museum in Malta looming on the horizon, the times would require people like Charles, beefed up by the FMVA muscle, to pull the project through.

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