The car is the star

These are not just a bunch of guys with nothing much to do on lazy Sunday mornings. It’s more like a communion of the faithful. And the object of the celebration here is the automobile. The arguable fact that these guys may actually have nothing much to do on Sunday mornings is beside the point. Because in this congregation, the car’s the star.

For years now, members of the Manila Sports Car Club have religiously met for breakfast on the first Sunday of every month. Chiefly to discuss club activities and forthcoming events, it’s also an excellent venue to talk shop. Apparently, though, most members are content merely to be with fellow car enthusiasts.

Unlike other club meetings with boring speeches and bland banter, the atmosphere in the MSCC gatherings is animated and quite informal. But what separates it from other club assemblies is that members arrive in their cherished chariots. After all, as MSCC chairman Nene Sy-Quia himself put it, "This is a sports car club, not a sports car owners club." Now that really spices things up.

The result is a parking lot filled with the best automotive shapes on the planet. Vintage Porsches, Alfas, Mercedes-Benzes and Jaguars mix with their contemporary siblings. MGs of most vintages and Ferraris are present on some days too, as are rarities, like a Renault Spider.Last Sunday, a healthy smattering of Miatas, a Honda S2000 and a Datsun 240Z added variety. There was also a pair of 356 Porsches. Lined next to each other on the sidewalk were a current Alfa Romeo GTV and its racing decal-clad 1750 ancestor from the 70s. A Shelby 350GT sits next to one of the – if not the – most beautiful silhouette in the automotive universe: a Jaguar Type E roadster. Inconspicuously parked next to a tandem of ’70s 911s was a BMW Z1. Parking lots were never this beautiful.

Presently, the MSCC holds its regular monthly meetings at Via Mare in Power Plant mall. The street fronting the bars and restaurants that are closed on weekend nights is likewise closed during the early Sunday club meets, ensuring a perfect spot for the prized cars. "It’s like a mini car show every time we’re there," beamed club secretary Sofie delos Santos.

Having the club’s monthly gig at Power Plant has attracted not a few curious onlookers, particularly those living within the Rockwell Center, said Delos Santos. "We would see them milling about, checking out the cars. Some have even become familiar faces already."

A more organized show is in the works, though. The club is planning a concours d’ elegance at the Power Plant grounds sometime in October. To further expand the array of cars to be exhibited, the club is hoping to include sports cars not owned by any of its members. Various club racing events are also scheduled this year, foremost of which are the Miata Cup series, road rallies, the vintage car circuit and hill climb racing series, and the highly interesting vintage car rally to be held at the Naval Mag in Subic.

Now those are certainly stuff to watch out for. And we know who the stars will be.