The past few weeks have been a rather exciting time to be an auto-otaku in Singapore, with a number of automotive meets and events happening over two consecutive weekends. A showcase of tuned up and dressed up machines over at IAM Singapore, a heritage event for both old and young timers, and this casual yet eye-opening meet that took place on an early Saturday morning.
Organised by a local automotive enthusiast and speedhunter with a cheekily named Instagram handle, @Carchngsg (phonetically similar to a certain Chinese dialect word for someone’s posterior), the “Carchng parade” was a fantastic gathering of the eclectic, the eccentric and everything else in between.
Having just returned from my trip to the United Kingdom, I figured it was also a good time to bring the old girl out for a drive.
This meet also presented us with some cars that rarely get out much, like this beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulietta which definitely has lovingly penned lines that will last for many years to come. Unlike the modern hatchback that shares the same name, shame.
The last time I saw one of these, was in Daikanyama Japan.
Black’s not a very common colour on these Italian beauties but there is no denying it has a very elegant and classy aesthetic.
An Air-cooled 911 isn’t a very big car by today’s standards but it sure is able to make the Alfa look small.
So clean and void of brake dust. Don’t they drive their cars?
Since we are on the topic of air-cooled Porsches, this one constantly had a crowd gathering around it.
If you haven’t guessed it by now, this is no ordinary 911. This is the Singapore commission. A real deal Singer build. So far, the one and only on our local shores.
When engineering meets craftsmanship.
Art in motion.
This though was already a visual masterpiece upon leaving the factory. The sublime Dino 246GT. Such a pretty car. I remember having a Bburago 1/24 model of this car as a kid and I also remember the model having a rather strong synthetic rubber smell from the tyres.
This one probably only has the sweet smell of musky leather, motor oil and fuel.
Another car that I don’t often see is what I believe is a Bentley S1. I’m guessing circa the 1950s. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Over half a century of motoring excess right here.
Here it is next to a 105 Alfa for scale.
There were quite a number of lovely Alfas parked around. How strange that Alfa Romeo is currently no longer thought of as a sports car company. Sporty cars sure, but pure sports cars like before? Probably not anymore. That Defender in front of the pretty boat-tail Spider is pretty neat too!
Another Spider tucked away in a corner. This one with the later squared-off Kamm tail.
It also has someone’s scribble on the dashboard. It looks like the handwriting of someone by the name of Sebastian.
Another dashboard but without anyone’s signature. Can you guess which car it is?
Some extra hints.
Not the Pork, but the Jaaaaaaaaaaag. This one’s a Series One Cabriolet. It also happened to be riding really low.
I really like how diverse these meets can get.
A couple more Air-cooled goodies.
Petrolicious represent! Pity how most of the good stuff are now hidden behind a paywall.
Stately E32 meets svelte 993.
Different shades of blue. I still really like the DC5R Integras.
I always wanted one of these in this exact colour. These used to be almost everywhere, now I think only a handful remain.
A little less high-strung but maybe just as good at putting a smile on the driver’s face?
For the discerning connoisseur.
Kicking it old school.
Turbo bricks.
The ultimate iteration of Godzilla for most.
Stuttgart siblings.
Stuttgart neighbours.
Gotta love headlight wipers.
This rather clean W124 was rocking some sweet (and rare) Work DTM wheels. Need to get those center covers back on!
Speaking of clean, this very tastefully done ND Miata looked pretty sweet too on a set of Enkei RPF1s.
It rocked some cool stickers too!
Another car with a lovely side profile is this beautiful Alpine white BMW Z4M Coupe. Those look like CSL wheels.
Unlike many out there, I’m actually a fan of the 996 generation. This one is slightly more special, a 40th-anniversary edition.
The cheekiest car at the meet has got to be this cheerful yellow Isetta.
Love that little plush Isetta hanging on the rearview mirror.
Proving that you don’t need mad power to have fun in a car.
Having seen this car up close as well as follow its rebuild progress, I can say that there is currently no other E30 in Singapore that is as clean or has gone through a more fastidious rebuild as this one.
No, there really isn’t. This is probably as good as it gets.
Anyone up for coffee anytime soon?