Beja: John Palma, the master in the restoration of old cars.
It has more than two dozen vintage cars, all recovered if. João Guerreiro Palma is named as the "antique car restoration of the master".
Name: João Guerreiro Palma, Age: 75 year old
Profession: Car mechanic
Naturalness: Gorda / Beja and Residence: Beja
"All the relics (old cars) take me sleep. Sleep awake to think and dream about how to retrieve ", says eyes shining with joy, João Guerreiro Palma, an auto mechanic, the most experienced, Beja and experienced professionals.
To 13 he learned the profession in his homeland, Fat Head, in Beja county, where for three years he worked in a farm house, "Without earning a penny, but I learned to be man ", adding that after passing through other places and then the troop "I headed to France, I've been ten years ", remember.
"I was a mechanic specialist Peugeot brand dealer near Paris, to return to Portugal in 1980, where I eventually settle down on their own ", ends.
And how did the passion for old cars? In France João Palma driving a Citroen, a model known as "Bedpan" (na photos) and to get to your country, "I bought a car of this model that I still have and which was built in 1948, almost 2000 displacement. Has 71 year old, but it is younger than I. ", shoots laughing.
John currently has a collection of 20 relic, of various brands and models. "I had during 10 years a Cadillac that belonged to the Cherry Cardinal and that was the car of the inauguration of Christ the King. Where he spent stop traffic. With compassion, I sold it in 2014 ", brings out.
"I love cars. Buy all that is old, but I can not be with all, I have to sell some. This is like having children, like all, there is no difference", justified.
It is John Palma which deals with the mechanics of all cars. "I never had a vehicle rejected in inspection. It is a very boring passion (way), to support restorations, repairs, insurance, inspections, but each has its crazy passion ", defends.
But the collector likes to show his collection and participates in many walks of old cars. "I do not like competitions, only participate in tours. Show cars, relive old times and also let people salivating for not having a beautiful specimen, such as Bedpan ", says happy.
Who knows, says John Palma, more than "excellent mechanic and a passionate" is a "vintage car restoration of the master".
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
