The haze was thick over the harbour last Sunday, but there were plenty of sights for sore eyes at the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong's Chater Road show. More than 80 classics were lined up outside the centres of Central, and even experts were spoiled for choice.
'There are so many fine cars here it's hard to choose a favourite,' said Connie Lau, a visitor from the Collectors Car Club of Hong Kong.
But that's what you get when you park Lai Siu-cheung's white-upholstered, lime-green 1979 Fiat XI9 next to Joel Chan's red 1972 Triumph Spitfire IV, a gleamer that showed enough wear on the roof to suggest it's a regular drive. At last, the Bentleys and Rolls-Royces of past shows have given smaller, brighter collectables a look-in.
'The cars are slightly different this year,' said the club's chairman, Clement Chen Cheng-jen, pointing past a couple of shiny pre-war Fords to Chui Ka-wai's 1967 Elan in Lotus green and gold.
The classics drew crowds, despite the fug. They posed next to Wong Yan-kwong's 1974 Red Flag CA 770, which the previous Sunday won the best interior award at the club's concours at St Andrews, Beas River. Luk Wing-kee's 1970 Morris Minor 1000 Estate, this year's best saloon, was pristine in white, and a source of debate. 'Aren't the wheels a little small for the mudguards?' a Kiwi onlooker asked. His mate disagreed, but the judges may yet explain.
Nearby, a French father and son gazed at Lo Kai-leung's 1948 Citroen Light 15, a beauty restored by BMW Concessionaires (HK). But how unfortunate the dealer's name was inscribed on the rear of the flawless restoration, like initials on shirt cuffs under some parvenu's suit.
Familiar classics won concours accolades, again. Gerry Kipling's red 1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT deservedly won the coupe award and Joseph Fung's black 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 was a sound choice for best of show. Both cars were stunning, but the club might stipulate that the winner of one best of show or three category awards should rest from competition for two years, to encourage other restorers.