A 1969 Classic Beauty - Gets a Makeover

21- year- old, Duaij Ali Al Noaimi, a third-year Business Management Student at Applied Science University, Bahrain, like any other youngster, has a huge liking for cars. But for him to take the time out to completely restore a 1969 Ruska Classica, definitely testifies this young man’s character and patience.

From the chassis that was cleaned up and sprayed, the Ruska Classica has had a complete makeover with a reliable Boxer 1.300cc Air Cooled 4cyclinder Volkswagen motor positioned at the back. The interior was replaced with white leather seats, which gives the car a younger look, and given a boost with a modern sound system.

“I got this car as a gift from my father. I saw it in a garage and thought that it was a metal junk. I was stuck with my emotions but decided to do something about it and wanted to restore and make it feel new. It took close to two years for me to come up with this new look. The restoration was completely done in Bahrain”, Mr. Duaij told DT News.

The original chrome trimmings and bumpers and the body were sanded down and re-primed inside out and a new coat of chocolate brown paint brought its beauty back to life like the first day it rolled out of manufacturing. A pair of 225/70/15 tyres were put on with chrome spoke rims to complete the look of this car. It weighs 730kg and has a maximum speed of 120km/h which was quick with 40bhp.

“Driving a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari may give excitement, but when it comes to me, I like to look backward, re-discover the history. It is very difficult to drive this car in summer, but whenever I go out with this car on streets, I can see the envy of the people”, he remarked.

The Ruska Classica was developed in the late sixties in Jordan by garage keeper and Olympic judo fighter - Arie Ruska. A lot like its later models such as the Volkswagen Buggy, this little car was manufactured at a rate of 250-300 units per year as they were very popular.

santhosh@dt.bh