The Car That The Shah Of Iran Gave To The Romanian Dictator Is Wanted By Collectors

Paykan Hillman Hunter. (Sumber: Artmark)

JAKARTA - Iranian collectors queue to bid on Iranian-made luxury cars. Not just luxury, this car is a gift from a special person to someone who is no less special.

The car in question is the Paykan Hillman Hunter which was first built in 1967, the first car made by the Iranian National Company which became a milestone in the industry, as well as a national icon of pride for Iran.

This car was given by the late Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to his colleague Nicolae Ceausescu, the communist dictator of the Romanian Socialist Republic, a gift for his appointment as president in 1974.

"The interest is huge. We have received more than 100 bids," said Alina Panico, of the Artmark auction house in Bucharest, Romania.

"Romanian four-wheel collectors attended, but most of the offers came from Iranians who wanted to bring this national symbol from the 1970s back to their homes," continued Alina.

The limousine version that goes up for auction on Thursday 27 May is completely roadworthy, with a top speed of 145 km per hour (91 mph) and a 1.5 liter, inline four engine producing 54 horsepower.

The starting price is 4,000 euros or about 4,900 United States dollars. However, Alina estimates the price will reach at least 10,000 euros (12,200 US dollars).

Hillman, originally based near the town of Coventry in the Midlands, England, is one of Britain's oldest and most prolific car brands. The brand continued to be used until 1976 by its then parent company, Chrysler.

After attempts to build a Fiat model failed, the National Iranian Company produced its first Paykan under license from Hillman in 1967.

To note, the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi first visited Romania in 1966, establishing commercial and diplomatic relations, as well as establishing a friendship with Ceausescu.

A year later, Ceausescu was appointed President of the State Council of Romania and began creating one of the most repressive regimes of the Eastern European Cold War era.

In 1989, when communism collapsed, he and his wife Elena fled mass protests in the capital. However, both of them were caught and died in front of the firing squad.

A plane used by Ceausescu on official trips between 1986 and 1989 will also be auctioned, with an initial price of 25,000 euros, but Alina says interest has waned so far.