Pattaya Boat Show 2022
Last weekend I was privileged to be invited to this event. Organized by the 'Classic Car Friends Pattaya' classic car club, who'd organized a gathering on the lawn in front of the sea, at the largest marina in Southeast Asia, for the boat show which was on at the same time.
I'll be covering more about the show in a separate post, whilst this article focuses on some of the best cars that turned up for the show. This will also be in several parts, as there is over 200 photos I took over the 2 day event!
Location, Location!
Ocean Marina Pattaya hold an annual boat show, and this was an initiative by one of the club organizers to have classic cars at the event. Like many of the famous concourse car shows, the concept was classic cars on a lawn, with the sea and super luxury yachts as a backdrop. This resulted in some of the fabulous images we'll jump right into now ...
The Beauties
The Ferrari emblem on the 328, I like the way the building and palm tree were captured in the reflection.
Extremely rare sighting of a Corvette Stingray, the first of the now many generation long running American sports car. It's probably the only one in Thailand? What cool rear windows!
I think it looks best from the rear! note the yachts, this was all at a boat show after all ...
Jumping into the Ferrari, all the trappings here. The open metal gated shifter ... no longer found on modern Ferrari's, so sad.
328 GTS. 328 meaning 3.2 litres, 8 cylinders. GTS tells us it's got a targa roof, Ferrari use this acronym on both convertibles and targa tops over the years, standing for 'Gran Turismo Spyder'.
This 308 is in impeccable condition, it was imported to Thailand new in the 1980s and has been forever taken good care of.
I just couldn't get enough of this Ferrari. It's absolutely stunning, and so svelte looking.
That interior is so analogue, no airbags, no ABS, no traction control ... 3 pedals, manual, probably they didn't even have power steering, and the steering wheel is connected directly to the oily bits - unlike today, where it's all gone electronic even on Ferraris.
One more for luck
Below, with the lucky owner. A very likeable and friendly chap he was, even let people sit in very valuable car for selfies!
From Ferrari, to a family member - Alfa Romeo. There were 2 absolutely stunning little Alfas at the show, one a Guila Super 4 door saloon, the other a 2000 GTV coupe. Both in pristine condition! See the original rear window stickers advertising the air conditioning ... wow.
Something so simple yet stylish about this interior. It's very beautiful. The wood, the metal, the way the dials are numbered. You want to get in and savor every moment if you owned this classic!
Alfa Romeo Super Guila, front view. A very Italian sporting saloon from the 1960s. The build quality was incredible, you'd never have thought it after hearing some of the reputation Alfa had in the 80's ... it's like this car was made from one solid block. They really did build them different back in the day, it'd have been a great premium over other brands such as Fiat. Nowadays, as you likely already know, Fiat group own them all (Alfa, Ferrari, Lancia, etc).
Yod Kodang Car Shop wit Apache, est 2013 is what it says. One insanely outlaw looking 1947 Oldsmobile; with a Lexus V8 (UZ) engine swap, obviously ...
End of Part 1
Absolutely bonkers this Oldsmobile, super cool. This exterior sunshade covers almost the entire windscreen and is adjustable. Here's the rest of it to finish up.
Interior is just as bonkers, old school to the maximum!
The owner shows us under the hood.
What a thing, so cartoon villain like! Kinda steampunk also ...
HUGE curves, it's got huge presence.
Of course, if you are in Asia, you chuck in a Lexus V8 ...
Until part 2, take care, keep dreaming, get out and drive, or go to a car show!