New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS): Some of the rarest beauties of yesteryears are all set to roll out on the roads during the 51st edition of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally, which will be flagged off by Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, on February 26.

Year after year, iconic vintage and classic vehicles preserved with much care by their respective owners and collector, compete for a range of awards in a silver saga of trophies.

Sources told IANS that more than 75 entries for the rally has already been received and the number is expected to rise further.

The cars will first line up at the Statesman House in Barakhamba Road here and will proceed to Greater Noida after flag off. The prize distribution will take place at the National Stadium here.

The cars will be evaluated on the basis of their age, maintenance, performance and originality. The panel of judges will be led by veteran RN Seth along with Jitender Pandit, Rakesh Jain, Gyan Sharma, Appa Saheb Alur, Promod Bhasin and Ashwini Kathpalia.

Rally insiders informed IANS that for the first time a coffee table book, outlining the oldest rally's history, will also be launched by Justice Dalveer Bhandari on the occasion. Besides, like every year, there will be a special souvenir and a four-page supplement, throwing light on the participating cars as well as their collectors.

The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally is the oldest continuously-run vintage car rally in India as well as the sub-continent. The first edition of the rally took place back in 1964 in Delhi. From 1968, it is also being held annually in Kolkata.

The Statesman, a nearly 200-year-old newspaper, organises the event that sees vintage beauties cruise down the streets of the Capital.