Now almost half a century later, many of those once-legendary and grand cars have turned into scraps or junks of metal lying on mossy grounds. [break]
However, there are a few enthusiasts who still have a soft corner for those classic vehicles, whether it is the Volkswagen Beetle or an Alfa Romeo. And on November 26, all these fanatics are meeting up in St. Xavier’s School grounds to share their love for vintage vehicles.
Classic and Vintage Auto Expo’11 organized by Kgarira.com hopes to create a base for all these lovers of classic cars and motorbikes, and also help make a database of all vintage cars and motorbikes.
“We hope to revitalize the dying love for classic vehicles,” explains organizer Shoki Shakya, adding that the whole concept of the event is from vehicular interest among the participants.
These cars usually have a history of their own, and if the enthusiasts are to be believed they have a culture of their own, too. And yes, it is not everyday that one gets to see an Alfa Romeo or a military Willy’s jeep on the streets of Kathmandu. But since more and more of these vehicles have become old and worn out, this event offers an excellent chance for vintage vehicle owners and enthusiasts alike to show their love and respect for these wonderful machines.
Nonetheless, it is not the lack of interest that is playing spoilsport to the continuation of these vehicles but the taxation that is put on them.
The law in Nepal states that each vehicle which has passed the fifteen-year mark must pay an additional five percent along with the normal tax, which amounts to a hefty sum on all these once-luxurious vehicles.
“Almost all owners of these vintage cars have to pay from Rs 35,000 to Rs 65,000 and more each year as tax, and along with repairs, the cost amounts to even more which is enormous for a private owner,” reiterates Shakya, who is hoping to lobby for a more understanding taxation policy from the government.
Even though most of these cars have cultural values, the government stands firm on the more that fifteen-year-old car policy. Ramesh Prasad Dahal, a planning officer in the Department of Transport Management, says that due to a lack of data and statistical analysis, it is hard for the government to dicide which vehicles are classic and which are not for a separate taxation scheme.
“Moreover, since the policy for curbing pollution came into effect 12 years, the issue for higher taxation has evidence to stand on,” believes Dahal, however refusing to take a particular stance on the issue.
Owners of these vintage cars however have got fed up with the exuberant amount of tax fees that they have to pay to the government. Urbin Shrestha, owner of two Volkswagen Beetles, believes that after paying taxes for over thirty-five years, they should at least get some respite from the government side.
“We tried to lobby for some sort of understanding with the government. However, the constant change of governance has resulted in these approaches being in vain,” voices Shrestha who has to pay Rs 35,000 as tax each year for each of his vehicles.
The organizers, on the day of the event, will be trying to collect signatures from the participants on a petition for understanding on taxation issues which they are planning to submit to the government official concerned with such matters.
The event is scheduled to start from 10:30 am on Saturday, November 26. Along with the show of vintage cars, a tribute to the Beatles (“Drive My Car”) as well as other activities will be organized.
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