Malaysian Pride As Proton Saga Wins International Festival

A bit of Malaysian pride was on show in the United Kingdom as a 1989 Proton Saga recently came out tops in a British festival that celebrates 'unexceptional' cars. 

The 2021 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, organised by UK insurer Hagerty drew a crowd of over 3,000 to a castle in Lincolnshire. As the name suggests, the festival celebrates ‘unexceptional’ workhorse cars that have not been given the adoration and acknowledgement that they deserve back in the day. 

And among the 50 cars competing, a 1989 Proton 1.5 GL Black Knight Edition picked up the top honours to be crowned the winner. 

Image from: Pandulaju (Malaysian Pride As Proton Saga Wins International Festival)

The beautiful and lovingly restored Proton Saga 1.5L Black Knight Edition is owned by police officer Jon Coupland. Coupland is a self-proclaimed car enthusiast who acquired the Proton in 2019, becoming the car's third owner. It is believed that only 201 units of the Proton Black Knight Edition were sold in the UK, with this one being one of the last remaining examples running on British roads.

The car has only been owned by a total of 3 owners. The first owner garaged the car in 1993, after covering just 3,600 miles (5,793km). It remained in the garage until 2017, when it was sold to its second owner before being driven a further 10,000 miles (16,000km). Coupland, the third owner, purchased the car in 2019, now with just over 21,000km on the odometer, refurbishing it back into its current state. 

Image from: Piston.my (Malaysian Pride As Proton Saga Wins International Festival)

This festival is not some sideshow event as cars presented at the festival must pass stringent selection criteria by Hagerty judges prior to participation. Although the festival focuses on unexceptional cars, there is an emphasis on presenting cars that truly have stood the test of time. 

According to Hagerty, the Proton 1.5 GL Black Knight Edition ticked all the judge's boxes for overall condition, originality and presentation.

Image from: Paul Tan (Malaysian Pride As Proton Saga Wins International Festival)

Initially, Proton did not sell that many, as only 201 units left the dealerships in new condition. The Black Knight Edition is a little different from the Saga we got here in Malaysia – for example, it is more of a sedan than an Aeroback, although it is painted in a similar metallic gray.

The win is also a testament to the overall build quality of the Proton Saga.  Not only have the mechanical bits lasted – the integrity of the shell, rust protection, electronics, interior and overall build quality remains true after all these years.

Image from: SAYS (Malaysian Pride As Proton Saga Wins International Festival)

So what do you think of this incredible mint condition 1989 Proton 1.5 GL Black Knight Edition? It’s not every day that an opportunity for a Proton Saga to win an international award happens. Leave a comment below!

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