Over 140 vintage cars and 100 classic bikes take part in drive from Omkar 1973 to Sofitel

by Suman Gupta

Mumbai: The city’s iconic streets came alive to the hum and roar of over 140 vintage cars and 100 classic bikes, all sparkling and glittering like new babies, as the annual Vintage and Classic Car Fiesta rolled out here on Sunday. Starting from Omkar 1973, the entourage cruised past Mumbai’s famous landmarks, including Haji Ali, Mahalaxmi, Chowpatty, Marine Drive and Mantralaya before hitting the Sea Link on its way to Hotel Sofitel at the BKC.

Spectators lined up to watch the glorious beauties and clicked pictures and shot videos to become part of the festival. Well-known collectors and aficionados waved proudly and often stopped en route to let admirers get a closer look at the cars. Organised by the Western India Automobile Association, who celebrated their 100th anniversary and decorated a number of their members, the Fiesta thanked their sponsors JK Tyre and the event presenters Omkar 1973.

The show stealers of the event were no doubt the Humberette of 1903 vintage, one of the first cars ever made, a 1914 Wolseley (1914) and a 1915 Ford; among bikes, one of the oldest Triumphs, made in 1911, and an AJS (1927) and a couple of Nortons (1938) vied for attention. Most of the well-known vintage car and bike collectors, including Nitin Dossa, the Chairperson of the Western India Automobile Association, was out there in their most favoured cars. WIAA’s President Viveck Goenka (1948 Land Rover), Yash Ruia, Amir Ali Jetha (1935 Phantom) and Amal Tanna (1920 Packard) were also star attractions.

“This was one of the biggest collection of vintage and classic cars and bikes in Mumbai,” Nitin Dossa proclaimed at the prize distribution ceremony. “We are delighted to see that a number of second and third generation children are taking interest in this art. I know that it will soon become their passion which augurs well for us,” he said. President of WIAA and an ardent collector and restorer Viveck Goenka said that one needed to have OCD to nourish a love for vintage cars and bikes. “I know that I have one and that is why I have a collection of over 100 vintages and over 50 off-roaders. I personally take care of them, getting my hands dirty on a daily basic,” he declared.

Among many rare cars, there were a handful of Rolls Royces, Austins, Daimlers, Chryslers, Buicks, Dodges and Alfa Romeos in the mix; bike-lovers feasted on BSAs, Royal Enfields, BMWs and Hondas. Indeed, many good old Vespas, Jawas, Lambrettas and even Rajdoots ran shoulder to shoulder with their foreign counterparts.