New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) A day before classic cars from bygone era take over the streets of Delhi as part of the 58th Statesman Vintage and Classic Rally, a pre-judging event took place on Saturday in the capital's Modern School at Barakhamba Road.
Over 100 vintage and classic cars have been meticulously assessed over the past two days, celebrating the rich heritage and craftsmanship of automotive history.
The grand rally will kick off on Sunday (March 2) from Statesman House, Connaught Place. Undertaking a 44-kilometre journey and driving past some of the city's key landmarks along the route, the participants in the rally will reach the National Stadium where the rally will conclude. A prize distribution ceremony will be held at the destination.
Among this year’s most striking entry in the rally is Daman Thakore’s 1950 MG YT convertible, affectionately known as “Lal Pari” within his family.
Thakore, a businessman from Gujarat, recounted his incredible 73-day journey from Ahmedabad to London in 2023. Covering 12,000 kilometres across 12 countries—including Croatia, Italy, and Turkey—his car even made a historic visit to Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the birthplace of MG cars.
"This car is a rare gem,” Thakore remarked.
“Only 900 were manufactured, and today, only around 150-200 remain globally,” he added.
Another entry adding to the rally's grandeur this time is Gurpreet Singh’s 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Open Tourer, originally owned by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar.
“This is more than just a car; it’s a piece of India’s rich automotive heritage,” he said, expressing his satisfaction at preserving the car's original registration with the Gujarat Commissionerate of Transport.
While many people remain enthusiastic about vintage automobiles, it is increasingly becoming a challenge to keep the classic car legacy rolling.
Judge Gyan Sharma stressed the need for governmental support to sustain the vintage car culture.
“With increasing driving restrictions and rising maintenance costs, fewer young enthusiasts are joining the movement. It was once a thriving hobby, but now only a dedicated few continue to pursue it. The Statesman deserves credit for keeping this tradition alive,” he noted.
Discussing the evaluation process, judge Pramod Bhasin elaborated that vehicles were assessed based on originality, upkeep, paint quality, upholstery, and authenticity of parts.
As the rally draws near, vintage car owners and enthusiasts remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving automotive history.
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