About last quarter of FY1999, I have bought a Caprice Model 1980 from a Filipino colleague who was Saudizised, a very old model 1980 caprice but still giving me a good ride and reliable. Every time the Istimara will expire, I used to go Dammam for MVPI  (Motor Vehicle Periodic Inspection), check the roadworthiness of the vehicle and as a pre-requisite requirement by the Saudi Police authorities to renew a vehicle istimara (registration).

Last Wednesday, I went to Dammam for MVPI, and I was told in the line by the technician who checked vehicles, that my car looks Model 1988; and because of this modification they would not check and they will not issue sticker to me; either. I have strong verbal arguments with this technician, that for the last 10 years I was using this car and every time, MVPI is due I religiously comply for check-up, but the guy don’t listen and as if a deaf ear.

So yesterday May 2 2009, I went to their supervisor to inquir, and explained to me the situation that I have modified my old car; of course I told him, I was just using this car and only repairs were done without modifications' means "buy and use".

To cut the story short their customer assistant, assist me and filled-up a form that the car was modified from FY1990 to FY1988 and referred me to a morror (police vehicle engineer). The vehicle engineer forwarded me to a Chief of Police in other side of the building; for the form signature.

So I went to the Police Chief bring the file history of Caprice 1980 Model records which I kept and explained to him that I just bought this car and use only, and did not make any modifications except the normal periodic maintenance. The chief of police advised me to rectify and replace the parts to make it appear as Model 1980; and forwarded me to the Sticker Manager. It was a long process & time consuming exercise; and to my regret the spare part may be hard to find. The Sticker Manager inspected my lonely Caprice and showed me the front and back side to be rectified or replaced. I told him, why it takes 10 years to find out this situation requirement; and explained to me that authorities are now strict on MVPI implementation.

I am writing this memoirs just to record and share my actual experience on old cars, that some people make change today for the sake of convenience but don’t realize the impact of tomorrow. And before buying anything, it is necessary to investigate and I realized that it is a good lesson "to learn caution from the misfortune of others”.

Note: Actually last November 2008, I bought a later model Ford Crown Victoria as replacement for the Caprice; as Caprice was already phase-out by the manufacturer.