This room in Zai Am’s Kuala Kangsar home is like a museum of vintage items such as a train signalling lamp from the 1940s, scooters, bicycles and wall clocks. — Photos: Bernama
Electrician amasses over 10,000 vintage items from classic guitars and cars to old cannons
DESPITE lucrative offers for numerous of the 10,000 vintage items in his collection, Zainal Amri Ramli values the satisfaction derived from his personal finds above all else.
The 62-year-old electrician, fondly referred to as Zai Am, is so attached to his vintage items that he has created a special space in his home in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, to store the extensive collection he has amassed over 35 years.
His eclectic collection includes wall clocks, old Malay war weapons, crafted pottery, kitchen tools, rare train parts, classic guitars and a fleet of vehicles from bicycles to motorcycles and vintage cars.
A space dedicated to classic guitars and other musical instruments from 1950s to 1990s.
“Certain items like guitars from the 1950s to the 1990s by brands such as Ibanez, Elk, Fender, Kramer and Hofner are sentimentally valuable to me.
“Vintage cars like the Austin Baby 850, Morris Minor, Wolseley Hornet, and Sunbeam Rapier hold memories that money can’t buy.
“These items have their own sentimental value that can be tough for others to understand since everyone holds different views,” he told Bernama when met at his home in Kampung Kota Lama Kiri.
Nonetheless, Zai Am is open to selling the items should someone truly desire to own them, taking into account factors like current demand and market value.
These classic cars – the Morris Minor (right) and Sunbeam Rapier have been used in Malay movies such as Hantu Kak Limah, Paloh and Leftenan Adnan.
According to him, the most expensive item he had sold was a Lambretta motorcycle in the early 2000s, earning RM10,000 from one of its devoted fans.
Sharing about his hobby, the Perak native said he had spent hundreds of thousands of ringgit to acquire and preserve his priceless collection.
The father-of-seven said he never regarded it as a waste of money; instead, he took pride in possessing vintage items that were decades or even more than a century old, treasures that are hard to find in this modern era.
“There are some friends who say what I’m doing is just wasting money.
This vintage record player in Zai Am’s collection still works.
“I just ignore their remarks, as I believe that everyone has their own preferences and things that they’re passionate about,” he said.
Asked about the methods he used in his search for valued items, Zai Am said most of them were sourced through information from friends or fellow avid collectors.
“Being an electrician really helps in my quest for these vintage items.
“Sometimes, when I’m called to fix electrical problems at my client’s home, I stumble upon vintage items tucked away in their storage.
Zai Am cleaning the Lela and Rentaka cannon.
“I buy some of these collectibles, while others are given to me by the homeowners,” he added.
Zai Am extends his gratitude to his wife and children, acknowledging their unwavering support and understanding for his passion.
“My children share my interest.
“I’ve told them to take good care of the items because these are treasures that hold considerable value and are hard to replace,” he said.
