End of an Era: Classic Cars gather at A&W PJ to bid farewell to an Icon [+photo gallery]

If you were growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, there’s absolutely no way you could not know about the A&W Drive-in located at State, PJ.

The fact that there are a number of secondary schools in the area also catered to this place becoming probably the ‘hottest’ dating venue (I sense a bunch of you smiling and nodding right now) in the area.

Apart from being a well-liked hang-out joint among youths, one of the coolest things about this A&W, was that unlike the ubiquitous ‘Drive-thru’ you could actually sit in your car and have your meal, thanks to trays that hooked neatly onto you cars’ window, at the ‘Drive-in’ area (above).

Well, progress and expansion seems to have caught up with this ‘old skool’ area, and we recently learned that the old A&W Drive-in that was very much part of our youth would soon be demolished to make way for a new office complex. News of this travesty spread across the internet and social media sites as fast as the ‘steering-lock’ incident, and after discussing the idea with a couple of like-minded friends, we decided a tribute was in order.

And what better way to pay homage to a place like this, than to actually have a gathering of classic cars there! Remember, back when this A&W first opened in the 60’s, some of the cars you see here were brand new. With that, two well-known classic car Facebook groups, MY Classic Cars and Old Skool Classics, got together and put the word out.

It was quite amazing really, just how many responded to the call. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that most, if not all, classic car owners in the Klang Valley more than likely hung-out here in their youth, and perhaps still do.

About 145 classic cars showed up, and by 10am, the parking lot was absolutely packed with some seriously eye-watering cars, including the legendary 427 Cobra, and classic Ford F150 pick-up truck.

Even the MX-5 Miata club made an appearance, as well as enthusiasts for Alfa Romeo, Mini, BMW E30, Ford Escort, VW Beetle & Kombi, Volvo, as well as some serious Old Skool JDM’s and American Muscle cars.

All in all, it was a very successful event, unexpectedly so, but indeed testament to just how special this old place has in the hearts and minds of those who grew up around here, yours truly included. Enjoy the photos!