Kaliatanda Ponnappa
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 4: It was a day of great pride and joy for enthusiasts of vintage vehicles. Around 50 cars and 10 two-wheelers were part of a felicitation ceremony for freedom fighters as well as a traffic awareness movement, organised by the Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club, in association with ITC Windsor and ITC Gardenia.

As many as 12 freedom fighters aged around 95 and their families rode in these beauties during the rally.

Some of the cars that ruled the Bangalore roads were Lanchesters, Daimlers, Jaguars, Mercedes, MGs, Fords, Chevrolets, DeSoto, Dodge, Austins and Morris.

1909 Wolseley was the oldest among the lot, while a Studebaker Commander, formerly owned by the Maharaja of Nabha, Sunbeam Alpine, a Graham and a Plymouth were among the seven cars that were displayed for the first time in the city.

The theme of the rally was ‘Respect elders, women and children’ and ‘Follow traffic rules and support the police’.

“While Bangalore boasts of around 600 vintage cars and motorbikes owned by around 250 members of the club, the number of cars participating in the rally has been restricted owing to traffic issues,” club secretary Ravi Prakash, told daijiworld during the event.

He said: "It is an opportunity for freedom fighters to feel the drive in these vintage cars and it is a privilege for us to take them. Many scholars, including Jnanpith award winner Chandrashekar Kambar, G S Siddalingaiah, Chennabasappa and L S Seshagiri Rao also participated."

Speaking to daijiworld, a vintage car enthusiast said, "Some of the real old cars have been very neatly restored, which is highly appreciable."

The rally was flagged off at ITC Windsor at 10.30 am by home minister K J George.