A Slice of Local Car Assembly History

Local assembly of cars in Sri Lanka has its roots dating back to the 1960s. Contrary to popular belief, the Upali Mazda and the Upali Fiat were not the first locally assembled vehicles. Our Editor-in-Chief has penned a short passage pertaining to the history of locally assembled vehicles, which you ...

Published on 20 Aug 2024

A Rare Survivor in Sri Lanka

Alfa Romeo must have been left in a quandary in the late 60’s and early 70’s on the prospect of replacing their venerable 105 series. Alfa all the 105s (or Giulias) are often considered the peak of post war Alfa. The sedan, coupe and spider were very desirable, class defining, dominant in motors...

Published on 21 Jul 2024

Locally Assembled Fiat 128 Survivor

The Fiat 128 had a production run from 1969 to 1985 as a two - or four-door sedan, three - or five-door station wagon as well as two - or three-door coupé. The 128 running gear and engine, was also reconfigured for a mid-engined layout, and was used in the Fiat X1/9 sports car. ...

Published on 10 Jun 2024

A workhorse of the past is now a head-turning classic

Do you think the first owner of this van ever imagined that it would live for forty-seven years? As he or she took over the brand-new keys from the smiling salesperson, I highly doubt that expectations of such longevity were at the forefront of their mind. Yet, here we are, forty-seven years later, ...

Published on 09 May 2024

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, colloquially known as the G-Wagon (as an abbreviation of Geländewagen) is a four-wheel drive SUV manufactured by Magna Steyr (formerly Steyr-Daimler-Puch) in Austria, and sold by Mercedes-Benz. Originally developed as a military off-roader, later more luxurious models wer...

Published on 08 Apr 2024

Hillman Minx Mk III

When penning a few words on the wheels of the past, it is somewhat a boost to find a single ownership car that has been in the family from new. Even more encouraging is that this Minx looks the same as it was on the date of purchase which was 8th January 1958 ....

Published on 29 Dec 2023

Hundred year old Wolseley Heirloom

The Wolseley 10 E3 was made as a replacement to the Pre World War 1 E2 Satellite in 1920. The newly designed E2 and the larger Fifteen A9 both featured cutting edge advances, with their overhead camshaft engines and electric starters....

Published on 25 Dec 2023

A Scaled Down Galaxie 500?

The Ford Consul Classic, known as the Ford Consul 315 for export markets debuted in 1961. The Consul Classic was meant to be a scaled-down version of the American-market Ford Galaxie 500 for the UK market, envisioned to be “suitable for the golf club car park”. This tells you about Ford’s aspi...

Published on 28 Nov 2023

The Renault Caravelle was manufactured and marketed by Renault for model years 1958–1968 in a single generation — as a rear-engine, rear-drive open two/four-seater designed by Pietro Frua of Carrozzeria Ghia, using the floorpan and engine of the Renault Dauphine. Outside of North America and Bri...

Published on 25 Nov 2023

The one and only in Sri Lanka!

The first time I saw a Reliant was on TV, in an episode of Mr. Bean in the early Nineties. As Rowan Atkinson’s beloved character relentlessly punished this hapless light blue three-wheeled van in ways bordering on sadistic, I wondered if it was the result of the studio’s creativity. Surely, it w...

Published on 22 Nov 2023