Vintage beauties to enthrall Delhi at Statesman car rally

New Delhi, Feb 24: Sleek and svelte beauties of a bygone era, including one nearly a century old, are set to enthrall the city once again when they chug along on Delhi's streets for The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally on February 28.

The rally, which is marking its 50th edition this year, is themed 'Drive in and share the Heritage'.

From a black Baby Austin of 1918, a 1938 Buick limousine, Cadillacs, Rolls Royces, Dodges, Jaguars, Chevrolet Impalas, and VolksWagen (VW) Beetle --- the vintage cars have lost none of their past sheen - just like old wine.

The rally, which will see around 100 cars participating, will be flagged off from the Statesman House on Barakhamba Road in posh Connaught Place here.

Last year, around 60 cars that participated in the rally were older than 1939, while 40 were younger -- from between 1940 and 1957.

Some of the regulars participating in the rally are the vintage possessions of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharaja of Travancore. The jeep used for evergreen Bollywood number "Mere sapno ki rani", from the 1969 Bollywood movie "Aradhana" starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, continues to attract car lovers during the rally, year after year.

A 1913 fire engine from Hyderabad is a regular and major attraction at the rally.

The organisers are hoping to get more spectators for the event and engage the younger generation following digital campaigns for the event.

The closing ceremony will be held at the National Stadium near India Gate, at which 44 trophies will be given out to the winners in various categories. A coffee table book will also be presented to the participants.

The cars participating at the event will have to pass close scrutiny by a panel of car experts on the state of health and vintage condition of the old beauties.

IANS