Another Classic Piece of Ipoh’s History
Yes, just a few metres from the Beetle lies this grand old vehicle. If you don’t recognise it then have a look at this:
It is of course an MG and it is in that graveyard for old vehicles, right in the centre of Ipoh, called Kg Kuchai. This is is one of the last undeveloped areas of Ipoh and was featured in the City’s Structural Plan but was left alone during the one of the General Elections in the late 80′s or early 90′s. Politics presumably ruled as Kg Kuchai is home to many motor repair shops, coach builders, carpenters, welders and home to one of the City’s last remaining traditional Lorry Transport Companies.
Start at the house by the river (previous blog) and follow the path towards the town. You can’t miss finding this and lots of other interesting wrecks. However we have no idea of the owners of these things and can take no responsibility if your visit is wasted or has problems of any sort. Watch out for the many dogs!
Sadly, they don’t make cars like these anymore. Dry leaves and dust aside, I think this MG is gorgeous!
I remember a shop in Ipoh town that has the MG rover emblem in stone on the floor outside the shop. I think it’s a gun or hunting shop now. When I asked the owner I think I recall he said that it was his grandfather who was the sole Rover agent in Ipoh at the time. No doubt you Ipoh guys will have more info.
Hey Raz, you really have got us there for we have no knowledge of this shop with the emblem in the floor. What is more we do not know any gun or hunting shops – and we thought we knew Ipoh!
So if you or any one else has any better clue about the position of the shop – Old Town or New Town, which street etc we shall be delighted to follow up. Even the directions to a gun shop would help as one of these shops must know the others. Ipoh is still a small place.
If we find it and the emblem is still there, we shall post a photograph on this blog.
Here’s a pic from flickr, it’s not the usual MG octagon, which did confuse me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ripi/3095284229/
My memory is fuzzy, but it could be near Old Town Hugh Low Street. I remember walking around there lost, trying to find the old vacant OCBC building. I might be completely off.
Raz, thanks for the photos!
I think I know the shop, opposite it is a very old bicycle shop. I
Thanks Raz and Daniel. I shall use part of tomorrow’s holiday to see if I can find it. If so I shall take a photo, post it on the blog and also feature it on our main database archive.
See the new post of today, Saturday 27 February 2010
Is that an MG Magnet?,I owned one,I think the registration number was R 121.In it’s day I am sure it was a good car,but when I owned it,Circa 1977-78,it was a heap.I had all the original papers,which I now wish I had kept,but we all throw away what is of no use to us.I have become a victim of my own prophecy.The thing had an electric fuel pump,located in the boot,and when the ignition was turned on I had to wait for the pump to stop clicking,before I could start the engine.
Jim, I think this is the MG Magnette ZA built between 1953 and 1956. I remember yearning after one once I had passed my driving test in 1959, but couldn’t afford one and in 1961 had to settle for an old Morris Oxford instead. But I did get an MG eventually the MGA Coupe. XAA 64, white with red leather seats. I wonder what happened to it.
The shop you mentioned is probably called ‘GUAN HOE’.It is at No: 8 Hugh Low Street. The original owner was the Teo Family. It is now run by Mr. Eddie Teo. This is the only shop in Ipoh I know that sells guns and related materials. The shop also sold bicycles and Suzuki motor bikes. I beleive the shop also sell some antiques. Check it out.
The bicycle shop opposite Guan Hoe is called ‘CHIN SOON’ It is owned by a Wong Family. It is now run by one of the sons and his children (grand children). This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, bicycle shop in Ipoh.
For those who like overseas travel, you can call at Kinta Valley Tours and Travels situated next to the bicycle shop. The owner is an old boy of ACS Ipoh.
Whoa i wonder if this Magnette is still around?