Old cars a league of their own at Cebu Motorshow

Some things never change with age.

Restored to their prime conditions, old-world cars are out to conquer hearts once more at the 8th Motorshow Cebu International at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) on October 16 to 21, 2007.

A perfect example is the Volkswagen Beetle. Originally manufactured in the 1930s, the "bug" retains a loyal following to this day.

"Most of the bugs still running now were handed down from one generation to the next," enthusiast Byron Piramide, a young businessman from Cebu says. "Usually, students who have them got them from their grandparents."

Piramide is the president of "VW sa Sugbo," a car club composed of students, professionals and businessmen. He adds that people usually keep the bugs because these were their first cars.

But apart from sentimental reasons, he believes that people maintain their beetles for practical reasons. "It's one of the cheapest vehicles to maintain and you wouldn't have a hard time looking for parts because   it's one of the cars that have the most number of supplies," Piramide explains.

However, he reveals, there are those who choose to introduce modifications on their units. Still, others like him, see themselves as purists. "We would like the vehicle to remain in its original state, as in no air conditioning and other add-ons," he enthuses.

To sustain interest, Piramide's group holds swap meets where members exchange cars. They also hold mini shows, drive thru's and "bug runs" which recently had them all traveling to Carmen in northern Cebu.

And the Motorshow Cebu International is a special event they eagerly look forward to.

"Through the motorshow, we would like to encourage people to restore their VWs. The show should prioritize value above all and creativity for participants," Piramide urges.

Like VW sa Sugbu, other car clubs also can't wait to take part in the motorshow. One of them is a relatively new group that calls itself "Old School Never Dies."

"We started in the 1980s with only six members; now, we have 51 and our group is still growing," says the group's President, Ron Duterte who gushes over old cars like a little boy eager to open his Christmas present.

The club prefers no particular car brand or model. His members, for instance, own cars with models dating back to the 1960s up to the 1980s.

"Since we are all in this as a hobby, the club has become a learning pot for its members. But since we're new, we just meet every Saturday night and talk about old cars," he says.

Joining the club is easy, Duterte explains. "People who own old cars can join. That's why our members are mixed; we have doctors, businessmen, nurses, engineers, students and artists. We're open to anyone and we also have a female member."

Asked what he likes most about vintage cars, Duterte instantly replies, "they're beautiful and easier to fix!"

Members of Old School Never Dies are also dying to take part in the Motorshow Cebu International where they plan to showcase their vintage car collection in

tiptop shape.

The show will be the club's first.

"We think of this as a very good mileage. We also look forward to meeting new acquaintances, seeing other participating vintage cars and bonding with other

clubs."

And when Piramide, Duterte and their club members finally showcase their VWs, Cadillacs and Chevrolets, spectators to the Motorshow Cebu International are guaranteed to find out just why classic and vintage cars are still very much a league of their own.