Update : Now available with Thai Subtitles.

We met Wee Liam & his gorgeous Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV at the 2014 Asian Klasika Motor Festival. As soon as we laid eyes on the GTV, we knew. It was inevitable. This car was bound to win. And win it did. In two separate categories.

Drizzling rain throughout the afternoon had dampened our. enthusiasm on finding our first editorial piece. Knowing that it was only Friday and the first day of the event, we decided to head home early for a fresh start the next day. But as we were driving out of Putrajaya, the rain stopped. Even though we didn't have a reason to, we drove back to the event with a strange certainty.

There it was. Parked in a narrow alley. The '69 GTV. A 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce (Series 1) to be precise. The 105/115 series Coupes are a rare sight these days. And Wee Liam's white GTV gleaming in the soft late afternoon sunlight echoed comparisons to a unicorn. As we got closer it was clear, whoever owned the car was mildly OTT. The attention to detail was close to perfection. It seemed immaculate. As if someone drove it right off a production line.

44,269 1750 GTV’s were built from 1967 to 1971 which was then replaced by the 2000 GTV. The 1750 was designed by the famed Giorgetto Giugiaro for Bertone. Powered by a naturally aspirated in-line 4 cylinder unit developing 122 bhp and 186 Nm of torque the 1750 GTV is light in comparison to modern cars, tipping at just 1038kg. Power is transferred to the wheels by a 5 speed manual gearbox. We adored this car's driver centric focus. Especially the gear lever which is placed high up & right beside the steering. You sat low in the car & the steering column reached close to your chest. They knew exactly what drivers desired.

When Wee Liam walked towards the car we didn’t have the slightest clue that he was the owner. To be honest, we were judgemental. Here comes this young chap, in a white T-shirt, glasses, neatly combed hair, short khakis & a pair of leather loafers (though a must have for all drivers). He could have been an accountant for PricewaterhouseCooper for all we knew. Don’t they all drive Volvos? He gave a gentle smile and got into the GTV. He started the car and slowly creeped towards the display area. After displacing our dumbfounded awkwardness, we walked towards Wee Liam as he got out.

We introduced ourself and started talking about the car. He was unreservedly polite & humble. But as we continued talking to him, things became clearer. Wee Liam was mindful when he spoke, choosing his every word carefully. He barely missed a beat. He knew exactly what he wanted to convey & how. He is an architect who runs his own firm hailing from Ipoh, Perak. This gentleman is a perfectionist. To him, the details was what he loved. The GTV reflected his passion. His car had spent close to two and a half years under restoration. No stone was left unturned. From the engine bay, to the tan leather seats, to the gold Quadrofoglio badges on the ‘c’ pillar. There was even a scale model of a GTV inside the car.

Wee Liam’s '69 GTV was never meant to be kept under covers for display. He drove it as often as he could. He drove it 240km from Ipoh to attend the Festival. In fact, he even drove his car to Thailand prior to the restoration work. The story of his particular GTV deserved more then an editorial piece. We needed a different medium.

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