MIAS goes Hollywood

TO BE ON display at MIAS is a faithful replica of the Mazda RX7 Veilside car of the “Fast and Furious” movie franchise.

Last year, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) broke another record in visitor traffic as more than 102,000 car enthusiasts braved the traffic and summer heat and went to the show to view some of the country’s most desirable classic and modified cars.

The country’s leading fuel brand Petron was once again the presentor in the MIAS Custom and Classic Car Competition, held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, adjacent to World Trade Center Manila, last weekend.

Judges of the prestigious car show noted an increase in the number of entries as well as quality of the show cars.

MOVIE buffs and car enthusiasts can look forward to seeing the 1980s Pontiac Trans Am aka KITT.

The 2014 Best of Show Award went to a VW Type 181 Kubelwagen, also known as “The Thing,” entered by Rico Dimacali of MacSport.

Aside from the top award, there were over a dozen category awards for both classic and customized cars.

THE MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL is 60 years old.

The Petron-MIAS Custom and Classic Car Competition is an annual tribute to the craftsmen and artisans who work in the restoration and customization trade. From tinsmiths, paint shop experts, mural artists, engine rebuilders and leather craftsmen, each entry is a result of months of hard work employed by the local restoration and customization shops that deliver world-class results.

Preserving PH auto heritage

The owners of these automobiles, particularly the classic cars, help preserve the Philippines’ automotive heritage and provenance by allowing future generations to appreciate them.

For many car owners, regardless of the value of the prizes that comes with winning, simply being acknowledged by their peers is a reward in itself.

A REPLICA of the Mr. Bean Mini Cooper will be also be on display.

Among the other notable cars worth visiting is a 1980s Pontiac Trans Am that had been faithfully transformed into KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand) of the “Knight Rider” TV series fame, a replica of the classic Mini Cooper of Mr. Bean, and the Mazda RX7 fully-kitted with a Veilside bodyworks similar to the car used by Han Lue (portrayed by actor Sung Kang) of the movies “The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift” and “Furious 7.”

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL first appeared as a prototype version at the International Motor Sports Show in New York in February 1954. It then appeared in its finished form at the 25th International Motor Show in Geneva in March 1955. It was the brainchild of prominent American Mercedes-Benz importer Maximilian Hoffman.

It isn’t the first time a Mercedes-Benz 190SL has entered the Petron-MIAS competition. In 2011, another white-colored 190SL took home the best of show award.

The 190SL was used in many movies and TV series in the 1970s and 1980s, including “The Bionic Woman” and “Starsky and Hutch.”