As they are growing up, many children tend to start displaying traits, characteristics, idiosyncracies, likes and dislikes which they hawe gradually imbibed from their family and the surrounding environment   during their crucial formative years. To the pride of their doting parents, basking in the reflected glory, as well as to their own self satisfaction as model offspring, these emerging adolescents and ewentual adults are serenely sucked into the manufacturing process of chips off the old block.   

I knew for certain that I would find him them behind the counter on Wednesday night - the only evening when the bar at the Old Motors Club in Narrow Street Lija, opens and becomes a wide watering hole for thirsty members. They flock in moderate numbers to exchange information, seeking to acquire that elusive spare part required to finish a long standing conversion job, or listening attentively to some gripping, harrowing narrative, always underpinned by a classic car theme. Or just to relax over a drink with kindred spirits and soul mates after a hard day's work.

Sigmund Freud stated that significant evenls in the first five years of life leave an indelible ai mark on the later development of the individual. A dose, warm and continuous relationship which Joseph Muscat had with a Vauxhall pedal car - his pride and joy in those formative    Car yearn- led to a life long fascination and involvement with vintage and classic cars. This early attraction was consolidated by an upbringing in a family where old cars dominated the scene.

It is late at night and the committee has been meeting for more than three hours. Significant parts of the agenda have not yet been dealt with, as the members had struck a reef on a moot point from which they have been unable to disengage. For a while, direction cannot be charted. Eleven men of different ages, personalities and backgrounds are not exactly the easiest motley crew to reach consensus with. Unruffled, the chairperson comes up with another practical proposal. Jovial but firm, he cajoles, negotiates, enlightens, listens, and sums up. Following more discussion, agreement is finally reached, and within a short time the monthly meeting comes to a successful end, with the captain steering the ship safely to port.