For car lovers, classic cars evoke a sense of nostalgia and fond memories (depending on our age, of course!). The Classic Motor Museum in Limassol, founded by Cypriot internationally renowned rally driver, Dimi Mavropoulos, houses a collection of over 100 classic, vintage and collectible cars ranging from 1912 to 2004.
Travelling to a picnic in style!
The Mini is well represented. My personal favourite was the Morris Minor Police car.
A red double decker bus from the eighties is pictured below with American vintage cars from the 1920s onward. The oldest exhibit is a 1912 Ford 'T' Roaster (the Tin Lizzie), which was America's first affordable car to a middle-class family.
The world's first diesel car was invented by Karl Benz in 1885, which was the beginning of the automobile industry. The engine was placed behind the seat and instead of a steering wheel, the wheels were turned by a lever. In 2011, UNESCO added this model to its 'Memory of the World' registry. 180 carbon copies of the car were reproduced and distributed to car museums, one of which arrived at the Classic Motor Museum, Limassol.
These treasures of yesteryear are worth seeing. It is evident that the museum founder has put his heart into displaying this valuable collection.
Without loving restoration and care, many of the vehicles would be rusted, decayed and worthless. It reminded me of a treasure we read of in the Bible which cannot rust or decay:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Matthew 6: 19-21
This is an excerpt from the 'Sermon on the Mount' recorded in Matthew's Gospel. The Lord is referring to eternal treasure which will never perish. Material goods are transient, but we can lay up treasures in heaven by living a life focused on eternal values by following God and His purposes of love.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."