The Annual Vintage and Classic Car and Motorcycle Rally was organized by the Vintage & Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI), in association with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), in Pune, on 8^th and 9^th April, 2023. This was VCCI’s second vintage and classic Car and Motorcycle rally this year, with the first one held earlier in February in Mumbai.

The off-season rain in Pune had no impact in wetting the enthusiasm of the passionate auto-lovers, with a total of 160 entries (80 – Vintage and Classic Cars; and 80 – 2 wheelers) registered across various categories. The program was flagged off at Royal Western India Turf Club, with proud participants from Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad showcasing their priceless possessions. The rally was flagged off by Joint Commissioner of Pune – Sandeep Karnik. While Day 1 was about judging the vehicles, Day 2 was for public viewing and for the participants to complete the tulip course, post which, the prize distribution was held, as per individual categories.

 

As always, the Parsi/Irani contingent made its grand presence felt in both categories… Pune resident, Adil Daver bagged the top spot, in the Best Restored – Recent Classic Motorcycle category, for his 1963 Norton Dominator 650SS. Ervad Hormuzji Dadachanji rode all the way from Mumbai, on his 1959 BSA Shooting Star A7SS. Not just that, he also won first place in the Best Restored – Classic Motorcycle category. Jehangir Faroogh claimed the second spot in the Best Maintained – Vintage Motorcycle category for his 1925 AJS Model G5. The oldest motorcycle participating in the show was the 1918 Triumph owned by Sachin Oswal. The judges for the Motorcycle and Scooter category were Mehernosh Eduljee and yours truly (Kerfegar Eduljee).

 

80 vintage and classic cars participated in the 15 km rally, which showcased vintage and classical cars including the Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes Benz, Chevrolet, Morris Convertible, Austin Ford, and many others.

 

With seven entries from his magnificent car collection, Yohan Poonawalla snagged top-spot, with the ‘Car Of The Show’ Award for his 1958 190 SL, which was once owned by the Maharani of Jaipur, Gayatri Devi, and now painted in its original ‘Jaipur Blue’ colour. He also received a Special award for his royal 1949 Bentley Mark VI 4-light Saloon by Hooper & Co., which won top awards and worldwide acclaim. He also received the ‘Best Maintained Classic Car’ for his 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. Dr. Khodu Irani bagged the Judges Special Award for his 1930 Chevrolet International while Er. Hormuz Dadachanji zoomed off with the ‘Car To Travel The Longest Distance’ Award for his 1939 Morris 8. The judges for the car category, were Er. Marespand Dadachanji and Karl Bhot.

VCCCI, is one of the oldest and foremost vintage and classic car clubs of India. Since its inception in 1985, the Club has championed the cause of preserving automobile and motoring heritage in India. The Club encourages careful and skilful driving and highlights the importance of Road Safety in all its events.

Here’s to the preservation and passing on of these beauties, to posterity!