Dilip Guha, New Delhi: The enthusiasm coupled with joy among participants was seen in The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally 2023 here Last Sunday 15th Jan 2023 at NCR Delhi. Vintage cars swept through the entire route of the rally, charming and mesmerising car enthusiasts and passers-by everywhere.
The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally is an annual event that takes place in New Delhi and Kolkata. It’s one of the oldest, continuously-run events in India and the sub-continent. First organised in 1964 in New Delhi, and in the year 1968 at Kolkata also as the Statesman Vintage Car Rally.
A maroon vintage car, Austin Chummy, 1928, fondly known as the “Baby Austin” seemed to be a cynosure of all eyes. This car, owned by Prem Sharma, has been taking part in The Statesman rally since 1995. It was driven by Sharma’s daughter Akansha, 29, an architect by profession in the rally.
The young girl, filled with zeal, drove passionately at the rally with her “Baby Austin” and won The Mrs. Kanti Kathpalia Trophy for best performance by a lady driver. Her car also bagged the prestigious Bharatpur trophy – given for a car 10HP or less completing the rally-road section and condition of the car.
Her sister, a teacher by profession, Aneesha Sharma, also took part in the rally with Triumph Spitfire 1972 and won for the first time introduced The Statesman G-20Trophy given for best performance by a lady driver.
“It is a bit difficult to drive this vintage vehicle, but the fun you get by driving it is awesome,” said Akansha after winning, who has been taking part in The Statesman vintage car rally for the sixth time. Austin Chummy, 1928, was bought by Akansha’s grandfather many years ago.
She learned the technique of driving a vintage vehicle from her father Prem Sharma, who used to accompany her as a passenger in the car previously. Prem Sharma has also been taking part in The Statesman vintage car rally since 1995 along with his elder brother.
Talking to this reporter, she further said, “For the last six years I have been participating in The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally and have won the James Arnold Trophy twice and also won the Best lady driver in the year 2019. I have also participated in the ITC drive, North Delhi Vintage & Classic Car Drive, and various other rallies/drives over the years.
“The hobby of vintage car collection can be enjoyed at many levels. I enjoy driving it. After all, cars are meant to be driven. Being born into a family of car enthusiasts, I have always felt a love for Vintage cars. I and my sisters are the 4th generations in the family who now drive these vintage cars. It is a feeling of great joy and pride to drive forward my family legacy. Driving a vintage car always transports me back in time,” she added.
Speaking about the history of the car and maintenance, she said it has a 793cc engine and still runs on the 6V electrical system. Her grandfather, Bhola Bhai Sharma brought it from a Petrol Pump in Delhi where it was a complete car lying for many years but not in working condition.
“It took my grandfather six months to restore it in our family workshop Krishna Motor and put it on the road. In 1992, it participated for the first time at The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally. It even won the iconic Bharatpur Trophy. My dad has driven the Austin Chummy to Jaipur, Agra, and Shimla for various rallies. It had won a special VCCP trophy from the Vintage Car Club of Pakistan for completing its uphill drive to Shimla.”
“The only distressing point is that we always struggle to find original spares as the spare parts are not easily available,” said Akanksha. But expressing her excitement, Akanksha said, “I drove a vintage car and it’s a thrilling experience adding “all you need to keep patience while driving a vintage car.”
“We will really be happy if more girls come forward as this is the time where you can actually explore yourself in a unique way,” she added.