Nostalgia Monday

August 17, 2009 - 4:00 PM by

Israelis drive nearly as many gas guzzlers as the rest of the world (although I am seeing more Prius’ on the road these days), but they also have an abiding love for certain antique cars, particularly the smaller, European compacts that were so prevalent in these parts years ago. The Volkswagen Beetle is completely common on the Israeli street, and I’m not talking about the new version, but the trunk-in-front, engine-in-back model of the 1970s. The original bug, as well as its sister, the Volkswagen van, can often be seen on the Israeli street, offering the opportunity for an impromptu game of Punch buggy.

There’s also a slew of ancient Fiats, Volvo stationwagons and Sabra Sussita’s, the short-lived Israel-manufactured automobile. I often think that while they’re classified as collector’s items, they’re really just that proof of that yekke tendency to care for something very well, and not admit to the comforts of driving a newer version. Here’s a selection of some cars from my neighborhood:

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Tags: , , • Category: Business, General, Israeliness, Nostalgia Sunday 

Comments

One Comment on Nostalgia Monday

  1. David-Joe on Tue, Aug 18th 2009 4:32 AM

    2. The only antiques I recall are the tractors from my kibbutz.

    Such as the old FIAT that had a tricky clutch – too slow you stall, to fast and the tractor would almost flip over backwards.

    But I came to like it and used it as a personal vehicle during the day to get too and from the crops as nobody else wanted to drive it!

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