By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK Oom Frans Dikola talks affectionately about his vintage car, a 1938 Citroen, one of the oldest in the country, as if it’s his baby, when asked on his way to have it serviced at a local garage in Khomasdal. “I’ve had many offers of up to N$130 000 to sell the car, but I have refused point blank. It would be like selling one of my own children,” Frans Dikola said lovingly stroking the bonnet of the old car he bought nine years ago from a Namibian who emigrated to Germany. “I paid N$42 000 for the car then. Its value has increased over the years as a dream for any collector, but I have withstood the temptation of money. “No money in the world can provide me with the pleasures of life this beautiful car has provided myself over the past nine years and will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come,” said the building contractor proudly. He has a fleet of other vehicles, but the Citroen remains his favourite pad car, with which he has travelled a few times over long distances to Walvis Bay and LÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼deritz in earlier days. “Presently it remains garage-bound to protect it against rust and other weather elements. I consider my car as a family heirloom that will remain with the Dikolas for as long as possible. I have to leave something for the generations to come. “My Citroen is that heritage,” the old man said, proudly and aristocratically driving off into the distance.