Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 26: Press baron Viveck Goenka of The Indian Express Group swept the honours in the annual VCCCI Vintage Car and Motorcycle Fiesta that was off by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Horniman Circle on Sunday, February 26.
Some of the country’s most prestigious cars featured in the rally that concluded at Sofitel, Bandra Kulra Complex after the actual route was disclosed a minute before flag-off. Entries came in from all over India for this year’s edition that included rare cars from 1900 till date. The fiesta was open to cars and motorcycles manufactured between 1940 and 1980.
Goenka, who entered six majestic beauties in the competition, was rewarded for a splendid effort when his formerly State of Travancore owned 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom II Boat Tail was top on the podium for the Concourse D’Elegance in the vintage category and his 1955 Buick Road Master was declared the winner for the Concourse D’Elegance in the classic category.
Among Goenka’s favourites were the 1956 Studebaker President, 1957 Hindustan Traveller and 1960 Fiat Super Select. But all eyes were also on the stunning once Maharaja of Patiala owned 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom II that missed out on the honours by a whisker.
Amal Tanna’s 1936 Chrysler Airflow Imeprial, that could have been booked by the Pollution Control Board, was declared the Best Restored car in the Vintage category, while His Highness of Dungarpur Harshwardhan Singh’s 1950 Cadillac Series 62 was the Best Restored car in the classic category.
Nitin Dossa entered 10 cars but once again his 1932 Hudson Phaeton and 1952 Chrysler Convertible, which was once used by the governor of Madras, the Pune Commissioner of Police and three Mumbai Police Commissioners, stood out.
Along with Dossa’s beauties were, Mumbai Samachar proprietor Hormusji Cama’s 1937 Dodge Tourer, Jagdish Thackersey’s 1935 Bentley 3.5 litre, Amirali Jetha’s splendid 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental, 90-year-old Russy Gandhy’s 1946 Citroen Light Fifteen that was driven by his grandson and Sameer Kadam’s 1957 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible that has done a staggering 15,000 km all over India.
In the two-wheeler segment, the attractions were Aman Mogul’s 1919 Indian cycle-cum-motorcyle and Girgaum resident Sanjeev Bhiwandkar’s limited edition 4-Speed 1963 Vespa.
The event was organised by the Vintage & Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI), India’s official body for vintage motor vehicles that is affiliated to world body FIVA, in association with the Western India Automobile Association.