Last of the open-invite New Bahru Classic Cars ‘N’ Kopi (for the forseeable future).
The third instalment of Classic Cars ‘N’ Kopi was certainly the swan song for the event, the turnout being huge (literally and rarity) over the previous ones.
There was a healthy amount of fresh faces that showed up to this event, included but not limited to two Honda NSXs (NA1), a Fiat Coupe, Alfa Romeo GTV, Porsche 944S, four Toyota Corolla (AE86), a Toyota Century and Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth. Some super oddballs cars too like a Chiikawa-liveried Kia Forte Coup. Unfortunately, my classic wasn’t available during this event.
Where the younger classic enthusiast is concerned, that’s a more captivating spectacle than the previous events, especially given these cars have not commonly joined car meets, if at all before it.
Oh, among the eclectic selection of enthusiast-owned rockets, a “what-could-have-been” encounter hit me again with a Mercedes-Benz E280. I’ll dive into this exact W210 in a future dedicated article.
Going a step above actual formal events, I dressed up for this event, attending in a pre-1992 Honda Primo service overalls (despite having no knowledge in servicing). It doesn’t fit in line with what I entered with; the accurate one being a thousand kilometres away, but there isn’t too much that’s better than wearing official manufacturer goods, right?
I say this event is a swan song for Classic Cars ‘N’ Kopi, because it is the final one currently.
Publicly, Cars ‘N’ Kopi has announced that it will no longer be hosting its meet at New Bahru. In previous entries, I have mentioned that I was significantly more favorable to it than Dempsey because of the affordability (the Cold Storage there is an entryway for fairly priced simple breakfasts and drinks) and walking distance, which is all-the-more depressing now that due to the actions of some drivers that have caused the venue to step in to enforce new, stricter regulations.
I’m not naming names (because I don’t really know who, nor do I want to stir heat), but I have heard of mentions of Honda FD2 Civic Type Rs, Volkswagen Scirocco, Toyota MK5 Supra and a EG Civic that could be be blamed for the cancellation.
I’m no saint, but I don’t get why its necessary to do pulls when leaving the venue, especially when said venue is surrounded by residential buildings. Its more questionable doing pulls when most of the general public has settled into the place with less enthusiasts still around, which is apparently the Supras may have done according to some attendees.
Given nearly everywhere in Singapore is residential because of the limited land size – I hoped that drivers would be more considerate, but it really cannot be helped, can it?
Part-spotter part-owner issue. I’ve heard of instances of spotters pressing owners to do launches whilst owners are no doubt itchy to show their pop-and-bang tunes or loud exhausts for the gram. Please leh. Classic or not, please be mindful of the environment around you and the fact your exhaust is deafeningly loud – not everyone in Singapore likes it. Scratch that, most Singaporeans don’t like it. So please refrain from putting the community on thin ice with the rest of the country more than its needed.
There should be a video or two circulating online (search YouTube for those), where you’ll find the cars who can very much be blamed for doing this nonsense. Honda EG6, Honda FD2R, Toyota Supra MK5, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mercedes-Benz A45S & CLA45 and a few more.
I myself drive fast for me to have relaxed opinions on spirited driving, which will inevitably work your engine, but you pair a loud exhaust, pop and bang tune, and the need / want to drive faster – you will make more noise (surprise!), and most of the general public, surprise surprise, don’t want to hear noise. Not your exhaust popping, not tyre squeal, not loud exhausts. But, because its a bit of a tradition to thrash one’s car when leaving a meet and the influx of carspotters camping the exits for content, this is where we are.
On another hand, I don’t ignore the fact that this final instalment was incredibly packed with many cars double-parking; some blocking supply trucks and causing jams due to manoeuvrability. If it wasn’t the people showing off their exhaust setups and tunes, it would also be this that would have been flagged. Simply a case of overcapacity.
I pity meet go-ers, both owners and non, who want to come to these events and look at cars, chat with people, and just enjoy themselves. But with even a big-name known for meets that don’t present a vibe for monkey business and underground shenanigans stopping for good (for the forseeable future), this can be a really bad catalyst for things to come.
Its rough honestly. There are mentions about resuming in another way as a closed-invite ordeal, given the open-invite had ironically invited non-classic cars for a classic car event – which were mostly responsible for its cancellation. If there will be another one, the post and photos will come along when it comes. Otherwise, goodbye New Bahru. They probably won’t miss us.
Event: Classic Cars ‘N’ Kopi
Date: 20 October
Location: New Bahru
Organizer: @carsnkopi_sg (Instagram)
~Efini
Gallery:
Read more: MotorGala: Classic Cars ‘N’ Kopi (2nd edition)
