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Grand old beauties evoke gasps, nostalgia
The vintage car display at the expo has become the cynosure of all eyes. On display are a hall-full of Rolls Royce, Mercedes and Chryslers.
The 'Grand Old Beauties' are here. And they are evoking nostalgia and fond remembrances among their curious admirers. The vintage car display, set up by the Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI) at the 7th Auto Expo, has become the cynosure of all eyes.
No -- the hall does not host Maybachs, Mercedes' or Audis'. The hall is a host to "grand old beauties" of yore - Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Chryslers - you name it and it's there. And so are two-wheeled favourites like Italy-made Lambretta scooter (very popular in India till the 1970s) and some old Harley Davidsons.
"These comfortable legacies of erstwhile Maharajas and collectors' pride have driven a generation. Some of them have been restored with the minutest detail of authenticity", says Ashish Jain, a staffer at the pavillion.
The 1924 Morris Oxford on display has won several trophies in many Vintage car rallies including the trophy for the oldest car to complete the Jaipur Rally 2002. Likewise, the 4.5-litre Lagonda, owned by the Maharaja of Bikaner, has 70 trophies to its credit.
Some of the vintage cars have got their designs changed keeping in view changing times. The Rolls Royce Hooper body car from the Scindia stable has a built-in bar and picnic arrangement in addition to the seating capacity of seven people.
The much fashionable 1956 Chevrolet Belair Sport Sedan was brought to India by an American car-lover and acquired by legendary film actor Raj Kapoor in 1959. Since then, the car has featured in many films.
Also on display is a World War II-vintage and very rare four-cylinder Ford Jeep -- one of the 1000 that were made for the US army in 1942.
HMCI has put their best foot forward to bring out their prized possessions - the best in the club. Its president KC Anand says, "the idea was to screen and show the change in technology between the old times and the modern generation vehicles that are being launched at the expo."
Another interesting exhibit on display is a small, low-seated yellow and black bicycle, called the Villier Parachuters' Bike. Paratroopers used the vehicle -- which could have passed off as a child's mode of transport -- during World War II. Weighing only 70 kg, the bike could travel any surface and could be folded and carried as well.
Such rare exhibits may be far and few at the Auto Expo, but their "old world" charm and designs have managed to provide a soothing relief to motown enthusiasts, away from the modern frills and fancies of Gen X cars.
