Old cars preserve history

Growing interest in vintage autos leads to an emerging industry worth nearly $11 million

For an elite but passionate group of vintage-car collectors in Pakistan, restoring antique autos is like traveling back in time - and money seems to be no obstacle when the prize is a Lincoln convertible that belonged to an Afghan king or a Rolls-Royce once used by India's last viceroy.

Mohsin Ikraam, president of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan, said the collectors help preserve part of the region's history of the past century. Among rich Pakistanis, the desire to own classic autos has been growing, and the club's membership has now topped 10,000.