Sometimes one is wandering the world, ten thousand miles away from home, in a far flung corner of the universe, in surroundings of a totally alien atmosphere from the air which one usually breathes. There is a completely contrasting culture, vomiting feels different and looks unfamiliar, producing in the individual a sense of anomie, detachment and disconnectedness. Then out of the blue, a sighting, a scene, a sound or a smell gives one an immediate aura of a distinct déjà vu, reminding one of a person, a place or a nonunion one knows very well back home. Suddenly a warrn feeling engulfs the weary traveller, which, if entertained for long, will develop into bushes of home fires burning.

It happened to me last summer in Singapore. Within a short period I had absorbed quite a bit of the Chinese and Indian cultures which pervade the island. On this particular day I had been literally soaked by intermittent heavy monsoon rains which contrasted sharply with the usually hot and humid weather. Having to interrupt my preferred mode of touring on foot, I boarded a bus which went to some districts I had yet to visit. On coming to a stop, I went down and started looking around. To my surprise, the first thing which hit wean I reconnoitered the place was a huge billboard proclaiming the area as Bogen Village, an important financial spot in Singapore. Cerebral connections fired on all fours, and my dejected mood immediately ebbed away, to be replaced by elated laughter!

For to the old motors fraternity in Malta, the name Bogen is inexorably linked to Ignatius Mario Debono, more known by his nickname than by any of his proper names! Ever present in any local activity connected with old cars, he is not only popular for his intrinsic interest in vehicles, but also for his irrepressible sense of humour, which have people holding 'heir sides in fits of laughter. Many a meeting would be wallowing down in seriousness' way, when the voice of a man from the rear would come out loud and clear: it would be Buges with some witty, sarcastic, cynical, appropriate or inappropriate interruption or remark which would have the previously nodding audience roaring with raptures of laughter, thus opening a closed window on the proceedings and clearing the funereal air in the process! Even the learned speakers would take his intervention lightly and in good spirits, for the intention of the humourotos hackler hurls no poisoned arrows, hurts no one, bears no malice, and results in a feel good atmosphere.

When I met him recently at the Bogen Garage in the Birkirkara Bypass area, the first question I asked was about his famous nickname, of which he is very proud. "It comes from my mother's side of the family", he starts off with his disarming trademark smile which melts, like the current global warming in the polar regions, even the iciest of opposition. "The name was then adopted by my father for the confectionery cum eating place which we used to have in Valley Road, Birkirkara. The mantle Olen fell on my shoulders. People call me Buges, not Ignatius or Mario, and that is what I prefer".
He traces back his keen interest in old cars to his early childhood. He remembers pleasant days when he would be running about to his heart's delight in a pedal car on the roof of his parents' house in Birkirkara, or racing model cars along the top of the roof boundary walls. "My conditioning was also fired by the exciting stories my father used to narrate to me, tales of harrowing experiences as he manouvered his way on a trusty old Matchless motorcycle plying from his home in Lija to Bighi and back, during active service in the second world war", recollects Bogen.

An education at the Umberto Colons° College reinforced his technical orientation as well as his budding love for cars, especially the classics, and their maintenance. Early driving lessons were natural sequalae, carried out furtively in an old Bedford van at ta' flail under the close supervision of his older brother Emanuel. "I was on the road with my first classic car when loan still 17, driving without an official licence", admits Bogen with a cheeky glint in his eyes. "Restrictions and road checks were uncommon in those days, and as long as one was careful and knew what one was going, then there was no problem".
This first classic purchase was a 1962 Morris 1000. "It was not in a bad condition, but eager as I was to put into practice and prove the technical skills which I had learned along the years, the vehicle soon underwent a thorough and comprehensive restoration. I dismantled it and later assembled it again, all by myself', states an enthusiastic and proud Buges. The original grey colour also gave way to black.
The restlessness of youth saw the adventurous Buges seeking his future in the desert oilfields in Libya. But after a stint there, he returned to Malta where soon afterwards, he bought his second classic vehicle, a 1956 Bedford can with sliding doors, which despite its venerable age, required little alterations. This move turned out to be the stepping stone to his eventual employment as an impressed driver with the then Telephones Department, transporting cable workers and their heavy equipment to work in places all over the island.

After eight years, Bogen was transferred to the Public Works Department, and the Bedford became unsuited for the tasks demanded by the new environment. So he decided to sell the Bedford as well as the Morris 1000 (which was still in his possession), and with the proceeds, purchased his third classic car, a 1965 Morris Traveller station wagon with wooden frame. The vehicle was in an extremely good condition, required restoration was minimal, and overall it was more appropriate for the impressed work now at hand.

Buges confesses to an obsession, an incurable addiction to the wheel. "I have always been enthralled by the movement of the wheel on the road. There is something magical as it goes round and round, and transforms something static and passive into a bundle of activity and mobility. In my opinion, it is the greatest invention ever!", he waxes lyrical. "I follow the movement of wheels with fascination, akin to the tune of the Pied Piper. Any wheel will do, be it a two wheel bicycle or motorcycle, a tricycle, a pram or a pushchair, and obviously the good old motor car itself'.

With technical know-how in his repertoire and time on his hands in the evening, Bogen started dealing in second hand cars on a part time basis, initially without a roof to his enterprise. In 1986, he found a suitable site in Birkirkara, from where he still operates today. "In days of yore half of my stock would be old cars, with modern cars making up the rest. Endless classics have passed through these wide doors", he continues as he lists marques like the Morris 1000, Marina, Hillman, Fiat, Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo, and Triumph. Although he has ventured abroad to buy classic cars, he prefers to buy from the local market

He hastens to add, however, that the situation has changed drastically in the last ten years. Owners of old cars have become more than conscious that they are sitting on a pretty little goldmine and are reluctant to part with them unless they get the right price, which sometimes is exorbitant. Citing a personal experience, Bogen says that a few years back, he sold a Triumph Spitfire to a client for LM900. When he tried to buy it back from him a few months later, he was asked double the price!
Like all auto dealers who are themselves aficionados of old cars, Buges frequently faces the dilemma of whether to part or not with jewels in the crown. Having a soft spot for MGs, he quickly points out that he hanged on Mr as long as possible with a 1971 Midget, as well as a 1968 and a 1981 MGB. But then, either because the right offer comes along, lack of space, or both, it will be time to move on. Any regrets, I enquire? "Oh yes", answers Buges without any hesitation. "I once had a beautiful 1960 Fiat 1500 convertible and eventually sold it - there were only three of them in Malta at that time, and now therein only one. I will roe that decision until my dying day!".

From the past, we turn our conversation to the present, and his current collection of seven personal classics. The stable features a maroon1958 Fiat Mille Cento, a red 1966 Sunbeam Alpine, a red 1967 Alfa Veloce, a blue 1968 Alfa Spider, a metallic blue 1968 Triumph Spitfire, and a Peugeot 504 convertible and an Alfa GTV both from 1976. The vehicles have been bought in various conditions, ranging from good to derelict. All have been thoroughly restored or are in an advanced stage of rehabilitation. Buges repeals that while he takes cane of the dismantling, much mechanical and technical work, and the reassembling of an old car, the panel beating and the spraying is consigned to the hands of the specialists.

With such a big number of classic cars and restoration projects, are there any particular problems that he encounters? His beaming and genial countenance turns into a wry smile, as he recounts personal experiences. "When you embark on restoration work, be prepared for lengthy wails, especially if you cannot do all the necessary tasks yourself. Panel beaters and sprayers are notorious for their procrastinations, as well as the high prices they charge. Subsequently, many wannabe classic car collectors are put off from giving went to their dreams and aspirations", says the knowledgeable guru who has been there, seen it all, and burnt his fingers in the process.

A staunch believer in the maxim "Together we stand, divided we fall", Buges has always been on the forefront of movementh designed to bring together local old car enthusiasls. He was a member of the now defunct Collectors Vehicles Club (CVC), and one of the first members of the Old Motors Club. He points out with pride that his OMC membership card bears the numbers. "The first five members were, willy nilly, commandeered into forming the first committee. And I was the sixth member to join the Club!" A committee member for some time, Bogen now prefers the factory floor from where, in his inimitable style, he can relay much better his suggestions and proposals.

As constant as the northern star in his perpetual presence in OMC everrth, locally and abroad, Buges has full confidence in the Club and its agenda. He is a little skeptical of those who come up with criticism which is not constructive. "I always tell the moaners and groaners that if they really want it done, then they should go onto the committee and operate from there".

Bogen is more than pleased with the measures taken in recent years through the Federazzjoni Maltija Vetturi Antiki (FMVA) and the ADT, in order to stimulate interest in old cars through practical user friendly measures and legislation. However, he complains bitterly when incomes to those drivers in Malta who display scant respect for old cars plying the roads. In an honest appeal, he pleads for more
tolerance from such drivers, who, in his opinion, should watch out how the old cars are faring on the
road. 'They ought to remember that the brakes of these old timers do not respond immediately, and so they should stand back as a measure of safety", he cautions. "At times, I think that some drivers of modem cars are jealous of their elder relatives on the road, and try to provoke by nudging and cutting across, as if challenging for a duel!"

His wife Maria Dolores is a constant companion in events; although she drives a modem car herself, she feels it is more appropriate to let her husband handle the old cars. While supporting him fully in his pastime, Maria Dolores admonishes him not to keep on buying old timers! His daughter Mandy is lukewarm towards classic vehicles, but his son Matthew is as passionate as his father, and already going around with a 1968 Fiat Spider. "He is a chip off the old block, even to the point of his being called Bogen, too", beams a proud father.

Before I depart into the night, I ask Buges about his zany sense of humour. "As far as I can remember I have always been happy, and besides, I want to make other people happy, too. It grieves me to see other people destitute and in need, and I go out of my way to help out in practical ways", he explains modestly. As I leave his small office in the garage. I stop among a small crowd of people who every evening gathers at his establishment as a kind of informal club. We are soon joined by Buges, laughing and chatting merrily. I recognize Andrew, who dwells at length on his Alfa, while George lauds the merits of his MOO on a recent OMC trip to Sicily. The decibels of merrymaking increase. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. I reflected as I made my way home. With his positive, pleasant personality and infectious laughter, it is not difficult to leave your troubles behind and be merry in the presence of Bogen!

Joseph Busuttil PRO Old Motors Club Photographs: Stuart Abela, Old Motors Club