Classic beauties roll out on Chennai streets

Vintage cars rolled out here on Sunday, attracting hundreds of automobile enthusiasts.

Chennai, July 22 : Vintage cars rolled out here on Sunday, attracting hundreds of automobile enthusiasts.

About 70 vintage cars, including Morris- 8, Austins, Plymouths, Citroens, Buicks and Vauxhalls, were exhibited.

Car lovers displayed their wide collection of classic beauties at the rally, which was flagged off by the city's Police Commissioner Letika Saran.

The vintage car rally, organised by the Madras Heritage Motoring Club, was different, as participants were required to come dressed in period costumes along with their family members.

The graceful machines were judged for their quality of restoration, originality and working condition.

Madras Heritage Motoring Club Secretary V. S. Kylas said: "When we buy a car, rarely we find a restored car. When you buy a car, you start from the basics. Buy parts from abroad and make the parts. Once it is restored to original specifications, it is a great feeling."

A good amount of money is spent on maintaining the backup of each car so that these can be preserved for the next generation, said Anand, a participant in the rally.

"For the backup or as a contingency plan for each car, we have the spares of more than two other cars, which have been stripped," he added.

First car came to India in 1900. In the next few years, three old automobiles were imported into the country, and within 10 years of the first car, there were several thousand vehicles.

Until 1947, when India gained independence from British imperial rule, rulers of princely states and industrialists were the biggest patrons of luxury cars.

Anticipating the need for cars in India, General Motors (GM) set up, as early as in 1927, their own 'assembly' in Mumbai. Within 10 years, GM India Limited (as it was known then, too) could churn out as many as 11,000 cars- Buicks, Chevrolets and Vauxhalls-per year.

ANI