Vintage And Classic Cars Dazzle In Pune Rally With Huge Response From Citizens
Camp, 9th April 2023: Pune residents were treated to a magnificent display of vintage and classic cars during a rally today that saw a staggering 70 to 80 cars, as well as 30 to 40 vintage scooters and motorcycles, participate in the event.
The Vintage & Classic Car Club of India Club and the Race Course Turf Club organized the rally, which was flagged off by Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) Amitabh Gupta, and Joint Commissioner of Pune Police, Sandeep Karnik. The rally, which began and ended at the Turf Club, took participants on a route that went through Sarasbaug, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Garware Bridge, and Juna Bazar Road, among others.
The rally featured a dazzling array of vintage and classic cars that left onlookers awe-inspired. The event saw Bollywood and Hollywood stars’ classic cars, including Amitabh Bachchan’s white Mercedes, Vinod Khanna’s Mercedes, and Hollywood star Al Pacino’s Mercedes Benz.
Other notable vehicles included a Dodge Kingsway, which was owned by Subhash Sanas and was used by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and his family, and a convertible Impala that was used by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Moreover, there were vintage cars from collections belonging to Dhananjay Badamikar, Dahanukar, Yohan Poonawalla, Zaheer Vakil, and the Sable family, among others.
The Vintage & Classic Car Club of India Club Chairman, Nitin Dosa, Rally Organizer Subhash Sanas, and Yohan Poonawalla, among other dignitaries, were present at the event. In memory of Baburao Sanas, Pune’s first mayor, the Vintage Car Trophy was awarded to Ravi Avelu’s Ford V8, while the Classic Car Award went to Yohan Poonawalla’s 1948 Bentley Mark VI.
The vintage and classic cars rally also witnessed the participation of the oldest Indian rally driver, Dr. Prabha Nene, who at the age of 87, drove her own car, a 1934 Austin 7. The car, which predates her birth, was purchased by her in 1964, and she has driven it on the longest journey of 896 km from Nagpur to Pune. Nene expressed her excitement at still driving the car with the same enthusiasm and taking good care of it.
Apart from the vintage cars, there was also a display of other rare vehicles, including the 1938 Norton, Elvis’ 1933 Pebbles Beach USA winner, Shekhar Chaverekar’s oldest car 1919 Overland, Dodge 1956, and Norton 500, the oldest motorcycle of 1938, among others. The 1938 Norton, in particular, was a special attraction for many at the event.
The vintage and classic cars rally attracted a huge response from the residents of Pune. At every intersection, citizens applauded the cars and even vehicles passing by on the road stopped to enjoy the rally. Some car owners even participated in the rally in traditional attire, wearing Puneri turbans. The rally was a testament to the enduring charm of vintage and classic cars, which continue to enthrall people of all ages and backgrounds.
Join Punekar News Whatsapp Group, Telegram, Instagram And Twitter For Regular Update about Pune City And Pimpri-Chinchwad
