Classic encounters

EVERY fortnight car enthusiast Akram Miknas and his friends take a selection of his classic motors for a spin around Sitra and cause a sensation.

Mr Miknas, a Lebanese-born Bahraini national, has 25 classic and vintage cars, most of which have been bought in France and Lebanon, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $160,000.

"The reaction of the people on the roads is amazing and the children especially go crazy when they see the vintage cars," he said. From a 1971 black Jaguar E-type to a 1953 silver and black Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, 1930 canvas-roofed green and black Ford Model A Coupe and many more, all his vintage and classic cars are housed in a large garage at his private home in Nabih Saleh and are a treat for car buffs.

He bought some cars in perfect working order while some have had to be restored by his team of car mechanics before they could be taken out on to the roads of Bahrain.

Mr Miknas has two mechanics responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the cars while a couple of designated workshops around the island take care of any serious problems. "In fact all my cars are registered with the Traffic Directorate and are fully insured so that I can take them out when I please," he explained.

Shining steel, soft leather and plush suede car seats, the fresh smell of leather and wood still lingers in the cars despite their age.

Many of his hot wheels have become a huge talking point in Bahrain ... particularly during his regular outings on the kingdom's roads. And today he invited GulfWeekly readers the chance to share his passion and glimpse at the golden age of motoring.

Much has been written about Akram Miknas, chairman of Promoseven Holdings - a major business conglomerate in the Gulf with a turnover in excess of $500 million annually - and his rise to fame and fortune.

His rags-to-riches story and his astute business acumen is an inspiration for many. But behind the wheeling and dealing of the business world lies a man driven by a passion for cars.

"I have always been a passionate collector of antiques and have throughout the last 30 years collected numerous antique items.

"I have a passion for movement through ages and cars are an important aspect of that. I bought my first car in 1982 which was a 1960 Chrysler New Yorker and later found out that it was owned by King Saud bin Abdulaziz which he had given away to his driver," said Mr Miknas, 64, who spent a whole year working with his team of mechanics to restore the car before it was ready to be driven again.

"My decision to buy a particular car is because I like to drive that car and not because of its past history or owner. Although my cars have become a collection now, I did not intend that to happen when I first started," he added.

His 1962 Cadillac Fleetwood was previously owned by a former Prime Minister of New Zealand. His 1913 Clement Bayard was bought in Germany where he also purchased the poster of its former owner - a French general in World War 1 - standing with the car which, according to Mr Miknas, was as expensive as the car itself.

The 1930 Ford Model, Old Reliable was driven by four generations of medical practitioners of the same family in America before they decided to sell their family wheels.

Mr Miknas's love for his cars is apparent by the care taken to maintain the collection. He does not consider a car scrap if it runs into mechanical problems. Instead, he goes through great pains to salvage it.

"I have been trying to find an engine part for my 1969 Lamborghini Espada Series for the last three years now. We search websites and contact workshops in Europe and America to acquire particular parts. It is difficult, but I don't give up!"

The oldest car in Mr Miknas's collection is a classic 1917 Ford Model T which has been discontinued by Ford Motor Company since 1927.

Mr Miknas often drives his 1955 Black Rolls Royce Silver Dawn from his house in Yateem Gardens to his office in Manama.

The 1949-1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was the first Rolls-Royce model ever based on a Bentley - usually, the other way around. A mere 785 were produced between 1949 and 1955, as opposed to over 7,500 Bentleys over the same time period.

But Mr Miknas' favourite set of wheels from his collection, is the 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. He said: "Although some of the cars I have are meant to be chauffeur-driven I love to drive them myself. When I'm driving a particular car I feel like I'm being transferred to that era as cars are a reflection of a specific time period.

"Just like cars today are so fast and advanced which is a reflection of our life. I avoid taking the vintage cars out in a crowded area in case of an engine glitch. Moreover, some don't have the required speed to be on the road."

In 2003, Mr Miknas, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, exhibited his vintage and classic cars at Dana Mall.

That was supposed to be the beginning of a permanent car museum but the project was scrapped by the ministry due to the lack of funds.

"I would love to see a museum of heritage cars and have my cars on permanent display to share them with everyone. This could have a potential of becoming a tourist attraction for the island," he said.

l Mr Minknas' moving image exhibition plans unveiled - Full story next week