Thaindian News

By Prashant K. Nanda
New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) A Rolls-Royce from Baroda palace, a Buick 35 of the royals of Ayodhya and a Cadillac 52 from the former rulers of Tehri Garwal are among the 77 vintage cars and bikes that will flaunt their old-world glory at the Auto Expo starting here Tuesday.

“The royal carriers will give a different feel to the Auto Expo. The old-world charm can be seen and touched as these royal beauties will be on display,” said Diljeet Titus, general secretary of the Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI).

“Royal carriers from Baroda, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Ayodhya, Tehri Garwal and Gujarat will be on display both to charm audiences and help provide a perspective of how automobile engineering has evolved over the years in design, style and engines from 1920 onwards,” Titus told IANS here.

Apart from the above models, one can enjoy the “Ford Woody car of the royals of Ayodhya, and Buick and Cadillac from the kings of Bikaner”.

Visitors can also look forward to seeing yesteryear beauties such as Buick Series 90L, Jaguar XK120, Mercedes 180 Pontoon, Mustang 1966, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet BelAir and Mercedes 170V Sports Roadster.

The seven-day Auto Expo would see around 2,100 participants from 30 countries.

It will be held over 125,000 square meters of exhibition space and expects to attract nearly two million visitors, higher than those at similar events held last year in Shanghai and New York.

Titus said though the Auto Expo, in its last edition, had some vintage cars, this year “it’s a great collection. This year, 65 vintage cars and 12 bikes will be on display”.

“It will provide people an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate beauties. People’s appreciation will help their restoration and increase the vintage and classic automobiles buyers’ base,” he added.

The vintage cars will be on show in a pavilion spread over 22,000 square feet at the Pragati Maidan here.

The organizers are also unveiling a Vintage & Classic Car Wall Calendar 2010 featuring photographs of automobiles by well known automotive photographer K. Jairaj Chaudhari.

HMCI president K.T.S. Tulsi said: “We will showcase the best restored thoroughbred classics including some rare, exotic, iconic and popular models of classic automobiles from 1920 to 1970 in order to create greater understanding and appreciation of our passion.”

Titus said another key attraction will be a Lincoln V12 car of superstar Dev Anand and customized Royal Enfield bike.

“We are also putting on display an 1894 horse carriage. I am sure people will get a great spectacle.”