Palestinian enthusiasts preserve classic cars despite financial difficulties
Ramallah: Despite financial hardships, a gathering of passionate Palestinian owners of Volkswagen (VW) Beetle cars has been formed in the West Bank to help keep the legacy of the classic car alive. Ramzi Akram, one of the team founders from Nablus city, said the goal of establishing the team is to bring lovers of vintage cars together. “The gathering is also meant to raise awareness of the importance of owning and preserving such pieces of arts,” the middle-aged man told Xinhua, adding that keeping such old cars requires much money for maintenance and spare parts.
“The team dubbed the Beetles, includes more than 40 vintage VWs from various cities of the West Bank,” Mr Akram said, adding that the team’s members organise various events and activities, mostly trips to mountainous areas.
“Looking at this number of cars made in the last century makes you feel that you live in the past,” he happily said.
“The team conducts various recreational activities for the owners of old cars. We sometimes participate in social events such as weddings and national holidays,” Mr Akram, who also owns a modern car, told Xinhua. He explained that the team members also help each other with their expertise as well as getting spare parts.
In 2019, the German carmaker VW ceased production of the iconic Beetle, 80 years after it first hit the streets.
Ayman Rowais, a Palestinian in his 30s from the West Bank city of Nablus, is one of the founders of the team; he also owns a unique classic VW Beetle.
“My car was the first Beetle to obtain official licenses in the Palestinian territories back in 1964,” he told Xinhua, adding that the gathering serves as a bridge between the past and present.
Mr Rowais said he is in love with vintage cars, “although owning them is costly because of the expensive maintenance and spare parts”.
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