For over a decade, Motorcycle Connoisseur and PT’s Expert Columnist, Kerfegar Eduljee, has been one of the foremost names in the Motorcycle and Two-Wheeler Circuit. A judge by special invitation at the prestigious, annual Vintage and Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI) event for the Motorcycle and Two-Wheeler Segment, Kerfegar has been honoured with numerous felicitations, including by the VCCCI.

‘Planned obsolescence’ is a strategy used by large-volume manufacturing industries, where a product becomes dysfunctional or breaks down after a period of use, as originally intended. This strategy ensures that consumers purchase new products, thus increasing the manufacturers revenue. Much tribute is then accorded to functionality and lastability of classic vehicles, that were recently displayed by the Vintage & Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI)… built in an era when business was conducted fairly and ethically, and when the concept of planned obsolescence was not a mainstream norm.

The VCCCI held its Annual Vintage Car Fiesta at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai, cross 25^th -26^th January, 2025. This mother-of-all vintage and classic automobile events in India, witnessed the largest ever crowd this year, estimated at over a lakh people attending the two-day event! The sights, sounds and smells momentarily transported enthusiasts back to the golden era of automobiles, an era when machines had souls and were built to last. Such was the passion, that many even drove/ rode down their vehicles from across India!

Amruta Devendra Fadnavis, a vintage car enthusiast herself, presided as the Chief Guest for the award ceremony. She was enthralled with the large-scale participation and level of restoration and expressed much pride in the annual event. Like with every competitive event, there were awards for the winners in categories such as Vintage, Classic, Originality, Restoration, Maintenance, Judge’s Discretion etc. The Parsi penchant and passion for these vintage beauties shone bright with a good number of Parsi/Irani winners, as under:

In The Cars Category:

• The Vintage & Classic Vanguard of India Legacy Excellence Award – Mr Yohan Poonawalla
• Celebrating 120 years of Rolls Royce – Mr Hormusji Cama – 1924 Rolls Royce 20HP
• Best Maintained Vintage Car (3^rd place) – Mr Xerxes Dastur – 1933 Austin 10
• Best Maintained Classic Car (2^nd place) – Mr Jerxix Vandrevala – 1947 Cadillac Series 61
• Best Restored Classic Car (2^nd place) – Mr Behram Ardeshir – 1963 Alfa Romeo
• Best Restored Recent Classic Car (1^st place) – Ms Rashna Poonawala – Mazda Miata
• Best Restored Indian Heritage Car (3^rd place) – Mr Viraf Boyce – Fiat 118NE
• Judges Choice Award – Shalaila Nallaseth – Mercedes W108
• Judges Choice Award – Mr Pheroze Mehta – 1949 Morris Minor
• Judges Choice Award – Mr Shiraz Jinwala – 1951 Chevrolet Delux
• Paying homage to late Mr Ratan Tata, a new category was introduced specifically for Jaguar and Land Rover cars. The Ratan Tata Trophy for the best Jaguar, was won by Mr Jimmy Tata for his Jaguar XK 120
• The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mr Fram Dhondy

In The Motorcycles Category:

• Best Maintained Classic Motorcycle (3^rd place) – Mr Pehzad Lakdawala – 1968 Triumph Bonneville 120
• Best Restored Classic Motorcycle (3^rd place) – Mr Xereus Zend – 1952 AJS Model 20
• Best Restored Recent Classic Motorcycle (1^st place) – Mr Jazeel Mehta – 1979 Honda CBX
• Most Original Motorcycle – Mr Jehangir Faroogh – 1954 BSA BB31
• Judges Special Award – Mr Mehernosh Zaveri – 1963 Jawa 353

And as we await next year’s VCCCI event to showcase more amazing vehicles, let’s continue to trudge along in the true spirit of greatly loved and cared for ‘Parsi Owned’ vehicles, winning the battle against planned obsolescence, and more importantly, against the ravages of time.