The Pop-Up Museum: A Century of Chrome at Frere Hall

In late January 2026, the manicured lawns of Karachi’s Frere Hall were transformed into a vibrant “one-day museum,” hosting the 4th Annual Antique Cars Show. Organized by the Antique Cars Museum, Pakistan’s first online archive for vintage vehicles, the event drew a large number of visitors to witness a display that spanned over a hundred years of automotive history.

With 110 classic cars on display, the show served as a rare public gallery for the nation’s most prized mechanical treasures.

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The Centenarian Stars

The undisputed highlights of the show were two vehicles celebrating their 100th birthday, including:

Faraz Latif’s dark blue 1926 Austin Seven Chummy stole hearts with its compact, regal design.

Razi Nayyar’s 1926 Chevrolet Superior stood alongside it, offering a glimpse into a century of American engineering.

Even more venerable was the 102-year-old 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Originally owned by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, this car holds a sacred place in Pakistani history: it was used by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten on August 14, 1947, to attend the declaration of independence.

A Multiverse of Motoring

The show provided a curated look at different eras of design, from the imposing silhouettes of pre-war luxury to the sharp lines of modern classics.

• A standout was the 1941 Cadillac Sedanette Coupe, one of only two in the country (the other was Jinnah’s first car as Governor General).
• Large-format classics like the 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith and the 1956 Austin Princess Limousine drew massive crowds.
• Fans of more “modern” muscle and speed flocked to the displays of Ford Mustangs, Porsches, Aston Martins, and Chevrolet Corvettes.

The Vision: A Permanent Home

Founder Shoaib Qureshy noted that these cars are more than just machines; they are the ambassadors of their countries of origin and a vital part of Pakistan’s heritage. Qureshy’s ultimate goal remains to secure government or private support to establish a permanent physical museum in Karachi. Until then, these annual “pop-up” displays remain the primary way for the public to connect with the nation’s rich automotive legacy.