Vintage cars, perennial spirits

Rainbow: A line of Toyota Corollas with different, albeit similarly bright colors, is seen at the event. BD/Anggara Mahendra

Hundreds of brightly painted Toyota Corollas were neatly parked Saturday morning along the spacious parking lot at Matahari beach in Sanur. Their owners were joyfully participating in a celebration that underlies one single fact: True love can prolong life.

In this case, the true love of these classic car enthusiasts has ensured that the Toyota Corolla, a series first launched in 1966 and had sold by the tens of millions across the world, did not end up in the junkyard. Instead, these vintage cars have been refitted, refurbished, repainted and driven across the island to hold
communion with their fellow old cars.

“As many as 135 Toyota Corollas are present for this two-day Jamboree and the owners hail from Sumedang, Magetan, Surabaya, Malang, Batu, Bojonegoro, Jember, Banyuwangi and Bali,” said Bali Corolla Club chairman Karel Pontoh proudly.

The jamboree is a medium for the vintage car lovers to share their stories and, sometimes, exchange rare spare parts.

“Driving a new car is simply not cool,” Haji Ecep Makmun, one of the jamboree’s oldest participants, said.

The 65-year-old man traversed 1,350 kilometers in 14 days to reach Bali from his hometown in Sumedang, West Java. He had only two companions: a 1975 maroon Corolla and his beloved wife, Hajjah Eni Rohaini. “It is a tough and fuel-efficient car,” said Makmun, praising the Corolla.

On Sunday, the participants drove to Kuta and Tanah Lot, where they enjoyed the beautiful sunset. The sun might disappear over the horizon, but these old-school gentlemen still have many, many kilometers to go.

- Photos by Anggara Mahendra