Usually, the little things that one does as a child and takes a liking to, only become stronger as they grow older. This best describes the zealousness with which Haseeb Khader, a businessman, collects and maintains his fleet of vintage vehicles.
Haseeb vividly remembers driving around in his father Abdul Khader's Fiat, Ambassador and Herald cars when he silently nurtured the desire to buy a vintage car one day. The lad would cycle behind his father's cars at vintage car rallies, admiring the grand old beauties as he grew up.
Soon, a 1942 Willys Jeep, usually parked near his place, caught Haseeb's attention. "I would see the old Willys almost everyday when I used to pass by it. One day, I mustered enough courage and went up to the owner, asking him if he was interested in selling it. He almost instantly agreed to do so. This was the beginning," recalls Haseeb. He later bought a 1948 Morris Minor and a Ford Jeep, both of which he restored and used for a while before he sold them a few years ago.
Haseeb's search for vintage vehicles didn't end there. He bought a 1991 model Mercedes G Wagen, a German make SUV that is best suited for offroading. "There are only three of this particular vehicle in India and I am glad to be one of the owners. This was especially imported by the German Embassy and the speciality is that it has a bullet- proof top," explains Haseeb.
His love for old vehicles soon saw him eyeing classic two-wheelers and he began with the purchase of a 1986 model Yamaha bike and a 1968 Royal Enfield, with the 1944 AJS being the oldest in the collection. "The AJS was bought by a friend along with a few other bikes that were to be used in a Jackie Shroff film. It was gifted to me by my friend," says Haseeb. The bike was also extensively during World War II. "One of the unique features of the bike is that it has a headlight that can black out. The headlight could be switched off to save oneself from being attacked during war time," explains Haseeb.
He also has a 1946 Triumph with twin heads which he bought in the city and restored. Although Haseeb has had trouble sourcing the parts and finding an appropriate mechanic to work on his vintage vehicles, he managed to get it all in place.
Under the scooter category, the family owns a 1965 Vespa and a 1974 Lambretta. "The Lambretta has been in the family since 1974 and belongs to my father. It holds a lot of sentimental value for all of us. As a child, I've taken a ride on the Lambretta with my father and my children too have had their share of outings on it," says Haseeb.
Haseeb regularly ventures out for breakfast rides with his biking group and sometimes his wife Aamira joins him on long rides. Aamira takes keen interest in understanding the mechanics and working of the vehicles and even pitches in to maintain them.
"I usually help with polishing the leather seats of the bikes and also with changing the headlights, tail light or some other smaller part that is easier to handle," says Aamira, who is just as proud of the fleet as her husband. She confesses that she has always enjoyed the rides with Haseeb because they slow down, click pictures and travel at their own pace without having to hurry up. The short rides are on the vintage bikes and the longer ones are on Haseeb's Harley-Davidson Road King cruiser.
About Aamira's contribution, Haseeb says, "Aamira is my constant companion and teammate. My sons Zamaan and Zeeshan are happy with the collection but they have their own vehicles."
Haseeb is a member of the Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club and is a regular at all vintage rallies in the city. He says that he has complete strangers making conversation with him when they see the vintage bikes. "I am usually asked a few standard questions like the mileage of the vehicle, the cost and whether or not I intend to sell it. People are indeed very encouraging when they see us moving around in the vehicle," says Haseeb. Asked if he hopes to add to his collection and Haseeb says, "I am only on the lookout for the rarest of the rare vehicles."
(Haseeb can be contacted on haseebkhader@yahoo.com)
Usually, the little things that one does as a child and takes a liking to, only become stronger as they grow older. This best describes the zealousness with which Haseeb Khader, a businessman, collects and maintains his fleet of vintage vehicles.
Haseeb vividly remembers driving around in his father Abdul Khader’s Fiat, Ambassador and Herald cars when he silently nurtured the desire to buy a vintage car one day. The lad would cycle behind his father’s cars at vintage car rallies, admiring the grand old beauties as he grew up.
Soon, a 1942 Willys Jeep, usually parked near his place, caught Haseeb’s attention. "I would see the old Willys almost everyday when I used to pass by it. One day, I mustered enough courage and went up to the owner, asking him if he was interested in selling it. He almost instantly agreed to do so. This was the beginning,” recalls Haseeb. He later bought a 1948 Morris Minor and a Ford Jeep, both of which he restored and used for a while before he sold them a few years ago.
Haseeb’s search for vintage vehicles didn’t end there. He bought a 1991 model Mercedes G Wagen, a German make SUV that is best suited for offroading. "There are only three of this particular vehicle in India and I am glad to be one of the owners. This was especially imported by the German Embassy and the speciality is that it has a bullet- proof top,” explains Haseeb.
His love for old vehicles soon saw him eyeing classic two-wheelers and he began with the purchase of a 1986 model Yamaha bike and a 1968 Royal Enfield, with the 1944 AJS being the oldest in the collection. "The AJS was bought by a friend along with a few other bikes that were to be used in a Jackie Shroff film. It was gifted to me by my friend,” says Haseeb. The bike was also extensively during World War II. "One of the unique features of the bike is that it has a headlight that can black out. The headlight could be switched off to save oneself from being attacked during war time,” explains Haseeb.
He also has a 1946 Triumph with twin heads which he bought in the city and restored. Although Haseeb has had trouble sourcing the parts and finding an appropriate mechanic to work on his vintage vehicles, he managed to get it all in place.
Under the scooter category, the family owns a 1965 Vespa and a 1974 Lambretta. "The Lambretta has been in the family since 1974 and belongs to my father. It holds a lot of sentimental value for all of us. As a child, I’ve taken a ride on the Lambretta with my father and my children too have had their share of outings on it,” says Haseeb.
Haseeb regularly ventures out for breakfast rides with his biking group and sometimes his wife Aamira joins him on long rides. Aamira takes keen interest in understanding the mechanics and working of the vehicles and even pitches in to maintain them.
"I usually help with polishing the leather seats of the bikes and also with changing the headlights, tail light or some other smaller part that is easier to handle,” says Aamira, who is just as proud of the fleet as her husband. She confesses that she has always enjoyed the rides with Haseeb because they slow down, click pictures and travel at their own pace without having to hurry up. The short rides are on the vintage bikes and the longer ones are on Haseeb’s Harley-Davidson Road King cruiser.
About Aamira’s contribution, Haseeb says, "Aamira is my constant companion and teammate. My sons Zamaan and Zeeshan are happy with the collection but they have their own vehicles.”
Haseeb is a member of the Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club and is a regular at all vintage rallies in the city. He says that he has complete strangers making conversation with him when they see the vintage bikes. "I am usually asked a few standard questions like the mileage of the vehicle, the cost and whether or not I intend to sell it. People are indeed very encouraging when they see us moving around in the vehicle,” says Haseeb. Asked if he hopes to add to his collection and Haseeb says, "I am only on the lookout for the rarest of the rare vehicles.”
(Haseeb can be contacted on haseebkhader@yahoo.com)