06 March 2011

Old Singapore Quiz (24) - Old Car

Today, I was at an old part of Singapore. To be precise, I was walking along Dickson Road.

Dickson Road - The tower in the centre of the photo is the Church of the True Light
Most older Singaporeans know that this area has many shops that sell second-hand goods. It may be a misnomer to call them second-hand goods for some of the goods might have passed through many hands. Some of these "multiple-hand goods" are even sold from lorries by enterprising business people.



Suddenly, something old and deliciously chocolaty caught my eyes. No, it was not some mouldy Valentine's Day chocolates which were rejected by a disinterested lover. Neither was it for sale...

It was a chocolate car!


The car did not have a classic number plate but a new one that starts with "SJS". (I am quite sure that it would have easily qualified to be registered as a classic car as the rule only requires that the car be at least 35 years old. This car is definitely way, way older than that.)

The car is probably not a vintage that is first registered here but rather, one that is imported from elsewhere. Why do I say so? You see, the car is a "left-hand drive" while we all know that cars registered in Singapore are "right-hand drives".


And it was probably driven by someone who had just migrated here. Why? Because he left all the windows down (and windscreen up - something which is impossible to do for modern-day cars). I didn't check if the doors were locked though - they probably weren't. Although Singapore is generally considered a safe place with a low crime rate, the authorities do not recommend such a cavalier attitude.

Or maybe, the car owner thinks that any potential car thief will have a real problem disposing of the car? Anyway, who would want to buy a stolen car which turns head at every street corner? To add to the buyer's woes, he would likely also find it difficult to find the required spare parts to maintain the car in good running condition.

Quiz Questions

1. What is the make and model of this car?

2. When was this car manufactured?

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like a benz from the 40's
http://wikicars.org/en/Mercedes-Benz_260_D

@MrAniki

Icemoon said...

Is that a mouldy chocolate in the stock photo?

yg said...

does the make begin with the letter 'w'?

Victor said...

Mr Aniki, it is not a Benz.

Victor said...

Icemoon, you are supposed to guess the car, not the chocolate.

Anyway, it is indeed a mouldy chocolate. But I don't know whether it was purposely made that way or did mould grow on it after it has been kept past its expiry date. I certainly won't try such a chocolate even if it is fresh.

Victor said...

YG, you mean "Wolkswagen"? Or "Willys-Knight"?

yg said...

mr koo, just answer the question. don't come up with funny names.

Joshua Ng said...

I also saw this car.

Joshua Ng said...

It should is a ford

peter said...

looks like MG

Anonymous said...

Looks like a Chrysler Dodge 1937 Station Wagon

yg said...

my guess is woseley, 1937 model.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Asked a friend's friend:

"Looks like an Austin 8.
Built in the 40's from UK. From the late 50's."

R. Burnett Baker said...

I can't make out the model, but I"m going to say that the year is before 1934....

Rick

R. Burnett Baker said...

Ok...here goes: I'm gonna say 1934 Plymouth..

Rick

Roger said...

There is a nice, relaxing open air Indian restaurant along this road. Yes, very interesting area dealing with cast off goods. Lucky of you to spot the car.

Thimbuktu said...

Hmm...interesting quiz of vintage cars, Victor. I know nothing about cars. I've learnt quite a bit about a slice of Singapore's transport history from rickshaws to MRT and other public transport though. Hope the trains could be painted chocolate like that car in your quiz. I love that colour which is as tempting to taste. Cheers!

Erwin Calverley said...

I've been to Singapore once. All I can say is that the people I met there were nice and hospitable. BTW, that chocolate car's classiness still remains ageless despite its 35 years of existence. A very worthwhile car.

Anonymous said...

I am the owner of this car... The guyvwith the cavalier attitude... The paint is just primer red... The car is a 1933 Ford Tudor... I have lived here 25yrs and am Australian... I have 4 old cars here and yes, just park them and leave them... No trouble yet (except missing nets cards...).

Victor said...

Hi Mr Cavalier car owner! What a nice surprise to receive a comment from you, more than 1 year after this blog post was written. Your car definitely qualifies as a vintage. But if I remember correctly, I don't think it has a vintage number plate but a normal one. Any problem keeping it in running condition? How about getting the spare parts?

gladysbark1 said...

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Daniel Schmitt and Co.

Kerstin Shed said...

The people of Singapore are very nice, Erwin. I went there during the last Lenten season. I like the chocolate color of that car, by the way. I see the interior still looks quite new. The owner of this car must have been so caring. Well, if I were the owner of this chocolate car, I think I'd do the same.

Nita Stelling said...

I attended a vintage car show during my last visit to Singapore, and I must say, the cars were really quite awesome! Yes, just like that chocolate car! :P It actually reminded me of the chocolate car manufactured by Mercedes Benz which was unveiled in Japan in February of last year.

Victor said...

Thanks Kertin and Nita for your comments. Nita must be refering to this car.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.