The Proton Saga was the first car produced in the country in 1985. Until now, the Proton Saga on the market now is a third-generation model and it is rumoured that 1.8 million units have been produced since it was first introduced 35 years ago.
If you didn’t know, the first Saga model was also actually brought to the United Kingdom market in 1989. At that time, two models were introduced in the UK which was rebranded to Proton 1.3 and Proton 1.5.
Interestingly, at that time it was marketed using a very unique slogan “Japanese Technology, Malaysian Style” besides successfully setting a record as the fastest new car sales in the UK, it is said that the sales of this car are very encouraging so they managed to reach the sales target within 6 months than expected the initial target is one year.
However, many do not know that apart from the two models, there is another model that can be said to be very ‘rare’, namely the Proton Saga ‘Black Knight’, a special edition of 1989 also entered the UK market.
What makes it special is that there were only 201 units produced and sold in the UK at that time. The Proton Saga 1.5 GL Black Knight is said to be very limited and there is only one that still exists and is so well maintained that it managed to win first place in a vehicle show event in the UK recently.
The event, dubbed the ‘Hagerty Festival of the Unexpectional’, is an annual event that features classic cars from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s that were considered common when new but is now quite ‘rare’. in this day and age.
It is understood that Jon Coupland’s Proton Black Knight managed to surpass 50 other participants who took part this year.
In addition, according to an interview with the organizers, Coupland explained that he was the third owner of this vehicle and according to him, the original owner of this vehicle only drove 3600 miles (5,794km) before being parked in the garage because the owner fell ill.
Later, the vehicle was sold to a second owner in 2017 after years of being left in the garage. Coupland who is a police officer bought this vehicle in 2019.
In the event, this iconic car made in Malaysia has managed to set aside big names in the automotive world such as Peugeot 106 XN Graduate special edition 1991, Kia Pride 1990, Fiat 128 1977, Triumph Toledo 1971, Volkswagen Polo C Formel E 1986, Nissan Bluebird 1989, Volvo 340 DL 1986, Ford Escort 1978 and more.
Pictures by Peter Nunn, Festival of the Unexceptional, The Flâneur – Automotive & Architecture Delights & Anthony Ingram