Mario James, Gleaner Writer

Last Thursday's Independence Day gala provided an opportunity for the 20-year-old Jamaica Classic Car Club to strut its stuff.

Jamaica's parish queens were chauffeured around the National Stadium in four convertibles - surrounded by a field of 15 cars.

Merrick Reid, the club's president, said that the main reason for the club's participation in the pageant was to "expose the people of Jamaica to what is considered by many to be the most significant development of the 20th century ... the automobile."

Involved

Reid said that Jambiz International, a production company which works with Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, has involved the club in its Independence Day pageant for the past five years.

The cars covered a range of years: from a 1960 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite to a 1993 third generation Mazda Rx7. A 1968 Jaguar E-Type convertible complement the field.

Past president Andre Hylton said that the credo that these car collectors live by is something to be emulated.

"If you care something, it will last," he said. "We need to care our country like we care and cherish these vehicles."