17th Vintage and Classic Car Rally - Jaipur

Rajasthan is not only rich in heritage, the royals here also boast some of the rarest vintage queens

Jai Mahal Palace, one of the many heritage hotels in Jaipur witnessed the commencement of 17th Vintage and Classic car rally on 24th of January. It was concluded on the next day, that is 25th. The gathering of these archaic beauties was acknowledged by the presence of large number of enthusiast that included from small kids to their grandpa's. There were classic car owners from all part of the country and also the leading classic car collectors, major chunk was from Rajasthan. Most of them belonging to Jaipur itself and members of Rajputana Automotive Sports Car Club, indeed the organisers.

Speaking of the arrangements, Jai Mahal Palace is the usual spot for the display of these prized rides and so is Jaipur. The cars were arranged on the periphery of the Hotel’s grass field, with a few one-offs staged at the center of the same. Each year the number of cars presented here increases and 2015 was no exception. Cars from American manufacturers and European manufacturers were the star attraction. Huge metal fenders slammed with immense chrome elements had everybody drool over them.

It featured cars that dated before the First World War to the most recent years of the 90’s. While the list of cars went on with cars as old as the 1922 Austin Chummy, never heard of, well it is better described as United Kingdom’s Model T, a subcompact car, that thrashed every other’s market share back when it was launched. Then there was Ford’s Mustang, MG’s (Morris Garage) TF, known as the last traditional MG manufactured in 1951, Daimler, De Soto’s Diplomat that boasts a hefty body work with chunks of chrome, and the timeless Jaguar XKR.

Representing the American muscle was a couple of Dodge Suburban that despite being a station wagon superimposed many other with its sheer size. Grabbing special attention was none other than the Dodge Charger, yes, Vin Diesel’s favourite from 'The Fast & The Furious' and ours too. The 67 Charger is kept original since its birth and certainly isn’t easy to ignore and it was evident when we managed to pull ourselves after gazing at it for long. The apple green color on that wide and low body that looks ever more aggressive with its haunches over the rear wheel arches.The unusually large bonnet that subtly dropped into the front dual slotted chrome grill which boasts twin headlamp and a unique mesh on either side, deep inside the slot. The top of the Charger was done with deep green vinyl wrap that reminded of the fashion prevalent in the age it is from. Moreover, the mat black decals on the sides and the back of the car accentuated its sporty nature. The stock wheels were wrapped in MRF ZQT tyres, and believe me those tyres never have looked that great if they weren't on that Charger.

Apart from the charger what grabbed our attention was a red German bug, the beloved VW Beetle and the elegant behemoth sized Ford Galaxy. The Bug was in mint condition and was powered by the 1500 cc air cooled engines, the owner said that the Beetle is still competitive with modern hatches when it comes to power and driving dynamics!