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Vintage cars rev up auto fair(Financial Express Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)While most of the visitors are thronging the crowded pavilions at the 8th Auto Expo in the capital to view the latest models and offerings from high-profile auto companies, many connoisseurs are visiting the enclosure displaying the vintage cars to admire the beauty and appreciate the elegance of the classic vehicles. The vintage section is displaying 21 cars and three motorcycles dating back to 1927. The collection of cars includes Belgium-made Minerva Type AL (1927), which is owned by Raja Mohammed Amir Ahmed Khan of Mahmudabad. There are only nine such vehicles in the world, claims its present owner Diljit Titus. The Minerva Motors, SA, Belgium is reported to have produced only 33 AL type vehicles. According to Titus, who is also the founder of the Delhi-based Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI), three of the known vehicles are owned by the king of Belgium while five others are in the possession of collectors in US. One such vehicle is reported to have fetched Rs 3 crore for its owner at an auction in US. UK-made Austin Chummy (1928) is another old beauty which is attracting the attention of discerning visitors. The vehicle, according to its history, was designed by Stanley Edge in the billiards room of Sir Herbert Austin. The car, presently owned by Gyan Sharma, has done several cross-state rallies and won many trophies. The collection includes 1927 make Mercedes 680K Supercharged. The German car is reported to be the only one of the six that were made by the Mercedes Benz for racing. The vehicle was brought to India by an erstwhile Maharaja, who was an avid racing fan and used to participate in racing events at Silverstone. The vehicle is presently owned by Ranjit Malik. US-made Studebaker Commander Six (1930), on display at the vintage pavilion, is said to have been used by Mahatma Gandhi and Moti Lal Nehru. The car was bought by Rai Bahadur Amba Prashad, a well known philanthropist of Delhi. The car has been with the family ever since. The list of vehicles on display at the vintage pavilion includes Desoto (1954), Chevrolet Impala (1968), Ford Mustang (1964), Standard Coventry (1927), Ford Super Deluxe, Stationwagon (1941), Buick Series 90, Model 90L (1935), Daimler SP 250 Dart (1959), Austin Princess (1956), Ford Starliner (1960), Chevrolet Belair (1956), Dodge Charger (1970), Mercedes 170 (1952), Lagonda (1934), Buick Special 8 (1940), Chevrolet Phaeton Confederate (1932), Citron Traction Avant L15 (1947) and Ford V8 (1932). The motorcycles which are on display include BSA M20 (1940), Ariel (1942) and Sunbeam S7 (1948). The last one was originally owned by Maharaja of Patiala. Not all cars are vintage, explains auto historian and author of Automobiles of Maharajas, Manvendra Singh, who has come from Indore to visit the exhibition. Generally, he adds, all cars manufactured between 1890-1939 are classified as vintage and vehicles produced between 1940 and 1969 are considered as classic. In addition to necessary financial resources, one also needs to have a passion to pursue this hobby, he says. On how much it would cost to restore a vintage or classic vehicle, Singh, who has helped many owners restore old vehicles, says, "Depending upon the vehicle, its make and rarity it could take anything between Rs 25,000 to Rs 10 lakh." India, he adds, has a fairly large number of vintage vehicles as erstwhile maharajas used to import them in adequate numbers for personal and official use. There are, according to estimates, about 4,000 to 5,000 vintage/classic vehicles in the country. |