Lucknow:

Sunday was a fun day for city’s motor sports aficionados and patrons of vintage cars and motorbikes. It was time to enjoy the ride in the retro beauties rolling down the streets of Lucknow. From Austin Chummy 1926 and Ford A 1928 vintage cars to Nortan, Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) and Royal Enfield motorcycles the annual vintage car and motorcycle rally once again brought back memories of a bygone era.

Organised by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Vintage Car and Motorcycle Club of Lucknow as a part of Lucknow Mahotsava, the vintage rally started from Koneshwar, Chowk after being flagged off by district magistrate Raj Shekhar.

Over 45 vintage beauties on wheels comprising 30 cars and 15 motorbikes were on the streets of Lucknow, the owners flaunting their priceless possessions.

Meandering through the roads of Old City passing through Rumi Darwaza, Chhota-Bada Imambaras, Hazratganj and also through the posh modern localities like Vibhuti Khand, the rally terminated at Indira Gandhi Prathisthan, Gotminagar.

Owner of the oldest vintage car Austin Chummy 1926, M A Khan, who has been participating in the rally for the past 21 years from the time Lucknow Mahotsava first organised such an event, said, “Old beauties always retain their charisma and preserving them helps conserve a cultural heritage.”

Along with the Lucknowites the rally comprised participants from other cities of Uttar Pradesh too.

Dr Tarun Sehgal, a resident of Sitapur and a proud owner of a treasured classic car, MGTC 1947 who has been participating in the event since past 11 years, said, “Every time I take out my MGTC 1947 model I enjoy the experience of driving and basking in the vintage glow.”

Secretary of Vintage Car and Motorcycle Club of Lucknow and also one of the participants, Sandeep Das believes though maintaining vintage or even for that matter classic vehicles is an expensive affair, the passion of the proud owners overrides the money spent and energy consumed.

In Car Parlance

Vintage cars– Cars manufactured before and till December 31 st 1939(Second world war) are called vintage cars

Classic cars– Cars manufactured between 1940-1962 are termed as classic cars.

ource: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Uzma Talha, TNN / December 01st, 2014