CAR CULTURE
great british auto show
or a brief, shining moment
in the sun last May, Capitol
Commons played host to a
truly capital sight: The best of
Britain, spread out across the
sidewalks and lawns of the
walk-around mall. But this wasn’t just a simple
car show: For British Ambassador Asif Ahmad,
it was a showcase of British culture and a way
to promote Britain as an industrial partner to
interested parties.
While Filipino tycoons aren’t flocking to build
factories on those far-flung shores, business is
booming for British brands. Car production is at
a seven-year high, and expected to reach records
levels pretty soon. Better yet, British marques are
finally entering the Philippines in force.
Brands like Land Rover, MG, Mini, Morgan
and Jaguar had booths set up at the show, with
offerings ranging from the luxurious Jaguar
XJ to the classic Morgan Plus Four. Interested
F
‘who doesn’t want
a paul walker mini?
the fast and furious
tribute was cheeky’
small trunk? No problem.
Just get another one
and tow it with your carparties could sample Land Rover’s futuristic
Evoque crossover or the new Mini five-door.
For those who found the Mini a bit too dear, the
MG 3 provided a more affordable distraction.
Granted, the MG name doesn’t have as much
cachet locally. It’ll be a while before people start
flocking to the brand.
One British nameplate never lacking in ca-
chet is Land Rover. The Land Rover Club of the
Philippines display included Range Rovers, the
expected brace of Defenders, and a neat Bowler-
tuned Defender 90 complete with power
upgrades and heavy-duty off-road kit. This
truck, owned by Tito Arbatin Jr., won the Most
Innovative Award. We wonder more, however,
at the modifications done to Ambassador Asif ’s
personal Land Rover, donated by the Queen.
We’re pretty sure it’s armored, but we didn’t ask
a lot of questions about what else was there, for
fear of Her Majesty’s Secret Service killing us on
the spot for our nosiness.
Most notable among the trucks displayed
were a pristine Series II and a rare Series IIA
Forward Control Ambulance, which our very
own Robby Consunji has been raving about
since it came in. This one wears the patina of
years of hard use with pride. Especially interest-
ing are the flip-open Red Cross logos. Appar-
ently, you’re not allowed to use the universal
“Don’t Shoot Me!” symbol, unless you’re
carrying a patient. The British are nothing if not
sporting.
For those whose idea of sport includes high-
speed hijinks, the Mini Car Club Philippines
display was headlined by a bonkers John Cooper
Works GP, with its anachronistic lipstick-red
accents. Okay, so it might have a French engine
imagine driving this
classic. the only thing
missing is a cool soundtrackif only this Forward Control
ambulance could talk!
the stories it would tell...26 TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES WWW.topgear.com.ph