Nagaland Flatfenders Club launched to preserve vintage heritage

DIMAPUR — The ‘Nagaland Flatfenders Club’ (NFC) was formally launched at City Square in Chümoukidema on Friday with the Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie, as the special guest of the event.

In his address, the CP said that the flatfender or Willys Jeep has become a rarity now. Sophie recalled that during the 70s and early 80s, he heard that people from other states bought the Willys Jeep, especially from Kohima and Mokokchung and took it to their own states.

He emphasised that forming the club was to not just own the vehicle but also to preserve the vehicle’s rich heritage. He also said that the club members can contribute a lot to the society by bringing unity in the society.

The police officer remarked that in the present day, the society is witnessing tribalism and new forms of addiction including technology, where even the smallest incident shared from the comfort of one’s room, may unintentionally create social disharmony and contribute to tribal divides.

He urged everyone to work together to overcome such challenges and focus on building unity and integrity within the society.

The secretary general of NFC, Andrew Ahoto Sema, said that the flatfender, also called Willys Jeep, Ford GPW or Willys MB, has several names but it is known for its distinctive flat-topped fender on the engine cover.

He mentioned that the NFC members are a group of like-minded individuals and their doors are always open to new members who share the same passion and dreams. He also said that they formed the club to preserve the vintage heritage and uphold the traditional culture, extending beyond just classic vehicles.

The NFC members aim to cherish and share ancestral heirlooms and traditions passed down through generations, keeping them alive within their community.

The president of NFC, T John Longkumer, said the club was originally formed in 2020 but got registered with the government in 2024.

He said that the World War-II had a profound social and political impact on the Nagas, awakening new perspectives and fostering political and social awareness. He shared that many of the Willys Jeeps they see today came from the Allied forces who, in gratitude to the Naga forefathers for their role as guides, scouts and intelligence agents, gifted those vehicles to them upon their retreat.

Longkumer added that the club was formed to preserve those pieces of history and also invited fellow enthusiasts to join them in safeguarding this heritage.

It may be mentioned that the club is building a database, acquiring in-depth historical documents and fascinating collection of literature, which would be uploaded in the club’s websites to be launched soon.