CAIRO – 13 June 2017: Following a passion can go a long way. An Egyptian entrepreneur’s passion for classical cars led to astounding results that could compete with the world’s best automotive museums.
Elhamy Ezzat calls his home collection of miniature cars his “little museum.” Although he loved cars as a child, his home collection was built as an adult. Nostalgic, Ezzat said in an interview with Egypt Today, “I wish I still had my childhood toys, they would be worth a fortune now.”
His hobby for restoring rare classical cars started spontaneously when he returned from London, having left behind a lucrative singing career. Ezzat’s first project was a 1961 Volkswagenhe bought in Egypt in 1993.
Elhamy Ezzat with his mini museum at Cairo's Zamalek home (Monika Sleszynska)
“I did not notice that I was restoring a historical car. All I was trying to do was to make the car look nice because I had no money to buy a proper car, so I bought the Volkswagen for LE 5,000” he said. “Then, I decided to make it a nice one. I restored it without understanding that I was restoring a car. And then it started to be a passion.”
Since then, Ezzat has rebuilt around 42 cars. The vintage cars undergo a phenomenal transformation under his care. The restoration story often starts with wreckage found stuck in the mud that’s then turned into a stunning jewel and presented at top automobile events.
The passion that finds you
Asked about how he sources candidates for restoration, Ezzat said, “sometimes I look for cars, but I never succeeded in finding the car I want. However, it always comes to me. Historic cars always come to me when I am sitting in peace. Someone calls me and says: ‘I found a car that you might be interested in.’ They always come to me, actually.”
Ezzat describes his hobby as a “passion and addiction, sickness and happiness.” Among other successful interests, restoring cars is his core interest that “can never stop.”
The length of restoration depends on the age and model. The older the car the more difficult it is to find a part. The moment the restoration begins, it is a tough journey of searching for parts in junk yards and awaiting shipments from abroad. Even during his three-day visit to London in 1999, he happily spent all his time at a junk yard searching for parts.
The list of dream cars for restoration is long. Ezzat is currently working on a 1972Volkswagen Beatle, modifying it into a “super Beatle”.
Elhamy Ezzat with 3 Porshe (Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat)
“It is the second time I am going beyond the classical book. You can never copy anything completely because in the middle, you will find a thing that is going to be your own creativity.”
Ezzat could see a skeleton of a car on the street, and go against everybody’s advice because he imagines the final image. The end result usually stuns others.
He also presented classic cars on “The Automotive Show” TV program in 2007 as a writer and a presenter, and most recently, he appeared on “The Garage” TV series on Egyptian CBC channel in 2017.
Junk, art and creativity
Ezzat is expanding his passion for junk by creatively mixing it with art. His new creation is up for launch soon, he revealed to Egypt Today.
Looking back at the decision of returning to Egypt after seven years of living in London, he has no regrets.
Despite London being the capital of the automotive world, he said that the system in Egypt is much easier and allows more space for creativity as opposed to England, where everything has to be by the book.
Classical miniature cars at Elhamy Ezzat private collection (Monika Sleszynska)
“Here in Egypt the fun is that you do not have rules. I can build up something that does not exist. The labor is much more talented here.”
As a man of many passions and professions, Ezzat has managed to transition through different industries.
Secrets to success
“I consider myself a lucky man because all my hobbies became my professions. I loved singing and I became a singer. I loved cars and I became in the car business in many areas, such as management, dealership, restoration, collection, driving,” Ezzat told Egypt today in his Zamalek home.
“I love arts and I suddenly found myself working as a graphic designer and a book cover designer. It always happens by chance. I did not fight for any of this. But once I am in, I fight to continue or to create a new idea of anything I am doing,” he added.
Elhamy Ezzat at his Zamalek home (Monika Sleszynska)
He emphasized that he turns everything he joins upside down and does not consider what people before him did in the field, and does not necessarily follow rules.
“Appreciate the things you have or the things that you would like to have because you will probably have it one day. If you have the will to have it, you will have it. Appreciate what you have. If you have not reached your aim yet, you will reach it one day. Follow it. Just keep following it.”
It’s a Mini, Mini world
Ezzat ’s successful graphic design and advertising portfolio, including Intercontinental, Crown Plaza hotels and 67 book covers for some of the most famous writers in Egypt, led him to an automobile career.
Over the course of several years, Ezzat worked professionally for Volvo, Chrysler, Citroen, BMW and Mini. He started working for Mini by the end of 2004 as a Mini Brand General Manager, where he successfully continued bringing Minis to Egypt for 12 years (214 cars in 2014).
Having owned 14 classic Minis over the years, Ezzat said “Mini is one of the best driving pleasures ever.”
Even recruiting people to work for Mini was different than for any other brand. Ezzat required not only real car knowledge and sales talent, but also a passion for the history of cars, an experience in driving Minis and “a bit of craziness.”
Classical miniature cars at Elhamy Ezzat private collection (Monika Sleszynska)
“I had five Porsches over the years and I used to be a crazy driver. I drove many racing tracks all over the world. I exceeded 300km many times, but driving a Mini is totally different, even the classic one which never exceeds 160 km,” he said.
Ezzat explained the secrets to driving a Mini, the “smiley car,” as he calls it.
“They describe it at Mini as a ‘go-kart feeling.’ It is like karting karts. The mini is always stuck to the ground. The design of the Mini is different than any other car.”
Ezzat has even driven in a desert with the Mini. It was a Countryman Mini near the Wahat area in the Western Desert of Egypt. However, he recommends a Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol or a Land Rover Defender for desert safaris.
“Those cars are tanks. They go everywhere,” he said.
Before and after
French Citroen's 2CV, rare Art Deco inspired 1980 Charleston edition – Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat
French Citroen's 2CV, rare Art Deco inspired 1980 Charleston edition – Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat
The classic Citroen 2CV was a highly popular car, thanks to competitive price. With variations, there were 3.8 million manufactured in France in the period of 1948-1988 and 9 million in total till 1990.
“Not all classic or heritage cars are rare cars. It is not only age that makes a classic valuable, but also rarity and how fine and neat you restore it” explains Ezzat.
“They are also very rare in Egypt. I guess only 4. This model can be worth around LE 200,000” estimates Ezzat.
Mini Monte Carlo rally replica 177, model 1984 converted to 1965 model was restored in one month for the Mini museum during the show room lunching - Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat
Mini Wagon - Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat
Mini Wagon - Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat
The restoration of the Oldsmobile curved dash, USA 1903 took 7 months - Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat
The restoration of the Oldsmobile curved dash, USA 1903 took 7 months - Courtesy of Elhamy Ezzat.
Elhamy Ezzat with his newest creative design - Monika Sleszynska
Elhamy Ezzat with his newest creative design - Monika Sleszynska
Comments
Leave a Comment