Shapurji’s 4 generations and one beloved car

 

 

A CHERISHED family heirloom spanning four generations, the classic Morris Eight Sports Tourer from the late 1930s is more than just a vintage car, it’s a living piece of heritage preserved through love and perseverance, says custodian Ayesha Feroz Shapurji, who maintains it alongside her mother and sister. “This car belonged to my great-grandfather Gustasp Jalnawala. Later it was with my grand-uncle Khushroo Jalnawala at Ahmednagar, but was not in proper running condition having been kept idle for many years. My father Feroz Rustom Shapurji got it from his uncle and restored it a few years before he passed away,” Ayesha informed.

 

The Shapurji family’s vehicle is a charming British open-top car, featuring a 918cc side-valve engine with a three-speed gearbox and a simple, elegant pre-war design that offers good fuel economy. This made the Morris Eight a beloved classic, known for its reliability, affordability, and easy maintenance. Ayesha will posing with the beauty at the Rotary-The Hitavada Vintage Car Rally organised in association with Cent Ind Vintage Automobile Association at St Ursula High School ground on December 28. “Now, more than six years since my father’s passing, my mother Niloufer Feroz Shapurji, my sister Dina Rahul Budhraja, and I try our best to keep it in decent running condition.” Ayesha, her mother, and sister work hard to maintain the car. Sourcing parts is slow and tiring but their good friends make it possible. “Locating and sourcing spare parts is time consuming and a tedious process, but we have managed with some friends helping to locate them and keep the car in good running condition.”

 

All the hard work pays off when they take it out on the road, where people on the street cheer and spread joy. “We enjoy driving it as unknown people wave and cheer us as we drive this 90-year-old car. Seeing their happiness, one feels all the efforts of restoration are worth it,” said Ayesha with joy. For the family, the Morris is far more than an old vehicle, it holds precious memories and will be passed down as a true heirloom. “This car is in a way a family heirloom and will be passed on to the next generation. These cars are part of our heritage and need to be saved like heritage buildings and artworks for our future generations to appreciate and enjoy,” Ayesha concluded.