The man with 4000 cars
What started off as a hobby has turned into a one of the greatest model car collections in the world.
It took Aamir Ashfaq 32 years to amass over 4000 model cars.
“I don’t know why, but I’m really attracted to cars and I feel extremely happy when I’m in my toy-car showroom. It may be childish, but I never feel odd living with my cars.” he says.
“When I was young, toys always had a special place in my heart, and I really liked trains and airplanes too. My parents tried to get me more interested in trains and airplanes but, I always came back to my first passion “Cars”.
The father of three lives in Lahore, Pakistan and was challenged by Asian Image to find some British favourites in his collection.
We wanted to know if he had an old Ford Cortina, a Ford Capri and a Datsun. The answer was a resounding ‘yes’.
“My pursuit may not have gone far enough to earn a World Record, but no doubt such a collection is still unique in Pakistan.
“Over the years, I have managed to collect model cars linked to famous personalities — I have cars modeled after the wheels that James Bond, Mr. Bean, Michael Knight and Batman would choose to drive.
“I also have models of luxury cars, antique cars, vintage cars, sports cars, muscle cars, formula 1 cars, NASCAR and movie cars.”
And he has no sign of giving up his collection just yet.
“Each of my cars has a history, Memories may fade with time but these cars take me back to moments in the past.
“When I hold a car in the palm of my hand, I remember things I had forgotten about the past, and this gives me immense joy. In fact, I can’t explain it in words.
“I have three lovely daughters who help me managing my passion. My love for cars never bothered my family because I know how to balance my time between both.”
And his favourite car? “It has to be 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, which appeared in the Hollywood TV Series “Knight Rider”. This car was used as K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand) in the Series.”
