Old wheels get you gung-ho!

The vintage cars section at the Auto Expo 2004 has cars that have driven a generation but whose charm even today's yuppies can't resist.

The Maybachs and Bentleys may have hogged all the attention at the Auto Expo 2004, but there are plenty of new thrills on old wheels too.

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Away from the bustle around the hitech vroom is the vintage cars section which has cars that have driven a generation and whose charm even today’s yuppies can’t resist.

There is a 1935 Buick 90 L originally owned by the Raja of Ayodhya, and which was later acquired from the collection of Bal Angre, the advisor of Rajmata Scindia.

For movie buffs, this classic Buick burned the asphalt in Desirable, featuring George Brent and Jean Muir. Currently, this part of history is owned by Diljeet Titus. Only 191 of these seven-seater limousines were built.

Tintin fans will instantly recognise the 1939 Opel Olympus, the 4-cylinder 1,488 cc car made famous in The Seven Crystal Balls. The car was originally owned by the Maharaja of Dholpur.

Perhaps the most distinguished of the lot is the 1927 Minerva Type AL. Only 33 were produced and there are just nine of them around. The vehicle has gold-plated switches.

However, not only cars were driven around in style and kept that way. The Chevrolet Master — a six-cylinder 3,358 cc car designed in 1934 by Fischer — on show was found rotting under a banyan tree in Jhansi.

• Minerva (1927) Has gold-plated switches. Only 9 exist

• Ford Super Deluxe (1941) Can seat 8. Costliest car that year