Post by @livelovebeirut

Meet Ammo Zakaria Najem, an 85-year-old car enthusiast from Qattine, Lebanon. 🇱🇧 Born on November 15, 1941, Zakaria started working at a young age, first alongside his father, then serving coffee at his uncle Mansour’s restaurant. In 1958, he began working as a car mechanic, a trade that would shape much of his life. After two years, he bought an old bus and began transporting students to school in Dbayeh, where he also ran a small shop. He continued this work until 1973. #LLBMeetTheLocal But one car would become part of his life for decades: his Simca Aronde, which he bought in the 1960s for just 250 Lebanese liras, with help from his brother Hanna. Zakaria took the car apart himself, bought the spare parts he needed for only 25 liras, and carried out all the mechanical work on his own. Over the years, the car became part of his family’s memories, including Sunday trips taking his uncle to the village. After getting married, Zakaria bought a truck and worked day and night to help build his family home in Qattine. Today, he lives among his four children and thirteen grandchildren. When asked what he cherishes most, his answer had nothing to do with cars or possessions. He hopes to leave this world with a clear conscience, owing nothing to anyone and being in conflict with nobody. For Ammo Zakaria, that is what matters most. ❤️ Story inspired by @nogarlicnoonions / Photos by @sarahbarakatt / Videos by @nogarlicnoonions #Livelovebeirut #Lebanese #Jeddo #vintagecar