KARACHI: History and grandeur took centre stage at the lawns of Frere Hall on Sunday as the day-long 4th Annual Antique Cars Show 2026 drew large crowds from across the city. Organised by the Antique Cars Museum, the free public event transformed the historic venue into a living showcase of automotive heritage, with enthusiasts braving the biting cold to admire craftsmanship spanning nearly a century.
More than 110 antique vehicles were on display, but special attention was reserved for two cars marking their 100th birthdays this year: Razi Nayyar’s 1926 Chevrolet Superior and Faraz Latif’s 1926 Austin Seven Chummy. Equally commanding attention was the legendary 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, once owned by the Nawab of Bahawalpur and famously used by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten on August 14, 1947, to travel to the Governor House for the signing of the Independence Declaration. Now owned by noted classic car enthusiast Karim Chhapra, the 102-year-old vehicle remains a star attraction at nearly every vintage car show in the city.
Among the rarest exhibits was a 1941 Cadillac Sedanette Coupe belonging to Shoaib Qureshy, founder of the Antique Cars Museum. The only other known example in Pakistan was Quaid-i-Azam’s 1947 Cadillac Limousine, currently on public display at his Karachi mausoleum. Qureshy showcased seven vehicles from his own collection, including a 1956 Austin Princess Limousine, a 1965 Ford Mustang, a 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Convertible, a 1984 Cadillac Seville, a 1983 Chevrolet Camaro and a 1991 Cadillac Brougham.
Speaking at the event, Qureshy highlighted the absence of a physical classic car museum in Pakistan. “Shows like this create a one-day, real-life museum for people to enjoy,” he said, adding that with government or private-sector support, he hopes to establish the country’s first permanent car museum in Karachi. He also spoke about his online Antique Cars Museum, launched four years ago, which aims to showcase Pakistan’s historically significant and globally priceless vehicles while highlighting the dedication of collectors who preserve them despite numerous challenges.
The President of the Vintage and Classic Rally Drivers Association of Pakistan, Imad Samad, also brought five vehicles from his collection, including two Willys Jeeps — a grey 1952 and a beige 1961 model. Laughing off the cold, he said the heat from the engines kept his legs warm while driving. Also on display were his 1935 Chevrolet Master Deluxe, a 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 — a rare transitional model — and a 1982 Chevrolet Corvette collector’s edition. “All 6,759 Corvettes produced that year came in the same silver-beige metallic colour,” he explained.
Several other classics captivated visitors, including Mohammad Ali’s 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1967 Ford Mustang, as well as Hasan Jafar’s 1953 and 1978 Chrysler New Yorkers and a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado. Many of these vehicles had been passed down through generations, reflecting a shared family passion for vintage automobiles. Mohsin Ikram, founder and president of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan, shared a lighter moment from behind the wheel of his 1959 Austin Healey, noting that his two-year-old grandson can already start the engine and is showing early signs of becoming a car enthusiast.
Beyond the marquee attractions, visitors enjoyed viewing and photographing a wide range of other marques, including Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Austin Mini, MG, Volkswagen, Toyota, Datsun and Suzuki. Aisha Anwar, one of the attendees, praised the ambiance and the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable owners. Another visitor, Ayesha Jameel, said she had hoped to spot a 1969 Ford Mustang V8. Friends Khubaib Azeem, Mohammed Meekal and Mohammed Haseeb excitedly compared the Mercedes and Rolls-Royce models on display, while Shahid Ali attended with his three sons — each already developing distinct automotive preferences — making the event a reminder that the love for classic cars continues to pass from one generation to the next.