Vintage car rally takes Delhiites down memory lane

NEW DELHI - It was a trip down memory lane for car lovers as timeless classics like Chevrolet Impalas, Bel-Airs and Corvairs, some dating back to 1926 when New Delhi did not even exist, participated in a vintage car rally here Sunday.

The oldies in the rally, organised by General Motors to commemorate the 100 years of its Chevrolet brand, were cheered by onlookers as they made their way through Chanakyapuri, Mother Teresa Crescent and India Gate before making its way back to Hotel Claridges.

These New Delhi parts, together with the landmark Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House, were still under construction in 1926. The British imperial capital was moved from Calcutta to New Delhi in 1930.

The line-up for the drive included convertibles, tourers, sedans, two- and four-door cars and coupes. Close to 200 vintage cars took part in the rally.

We are partnering with the Heritage Motoring Club of India for this rally and it’s an exciting day to ride the 28-km route with vintage Chevrolet cars. People have seen these cars in old Bollywood movies but we are giving them an opportunity to touch and feel them, GM India president and managing director Karl Slym said.

Madan Mohan, a 37-year-old businessman who came from Gurgaon to participate in the rally, said: I’ve brought two Chevys, one is a 1927 tourer and the other is a 1938 Phaeton. I love such vintage rallies and this is my tenth participation in such a rally.

Mohan, a businessman, is a vintage car connoisseur and has more than 250 of such classics in his garage, of which 30 are Chevrolets.

I’ve had this Impala for the last 17 years and had purchased it from the extended family of the Nizam of Hyderabad. I’ve literally grown up around such cars and I absolutely love them, said G.S. Grewal, a businessman who brought a 1955 Bel-Air with him.

The cars were also judged on the basis of the quality of their restoration.