The car was brought to Croatia from Australia.
Toni Akmačić-Ćeber, a 74-year-old from Nova Gradiška, is a proud owner of a 1953 Pontiac, which he brought to Croatia from Australia where he lived for 30 years. The car was manufactured in Canada, driven in the United States, sold to Australia, and then ended up in Slavonia, reports lokalni.hr on October 3, 2018.
The beautiful car is nowadays a star of numerous old-timer exhibitions in Croatia, but can also be seen in a more unusual environment – at Slavonian wedding celebrations, in the company of horses and festive wedding carriages.
“Newlywed couples are delighted with my Pontiac. They like to have their photos taken in it. I am driving people who have just got married, but also those who are divorced,” says Toni laughingly.
The retired house-painter used to own his own business in Australia, and he still occasionally does an odd job here and there. He bought the car through an advert, not really seeing it until it was brought to Australia. When he moved to Croatia and removed the protective cover from the car in the courtyard of his house in Drežnik near Nova Gradiška 15 years ago, it was obvious why the car would be so popular.
“All the parts on the Pontiac are original, including the white tires. The only exception are the fog lights and horn, which broke down so I had to replace them,” explains the proud owner.
Akmačić paid 29,000 dollars for the car 25 years ago, and today its price ranges between 45,000 and 50,000 euro. He likes the fact that the car is so large and that everything is nickel-plated.
“I enjoy it very much. Old cars are just like old men and have their own charms. The only problem is the maintenance cost,” Tony explains and adds, “If a part gets broken down, it is difficult to replace it. Fortunately, I have acquaintances in America.”
Translated from Lokalni.hr (reported by Vedran Balen).
