Around 50 vintage cars, from 1933-model Austin of England to 1984-model ‘original’ diminutive Maruti 800 compete for attention at DH Ground where an exhibition of vintage cars began on Saturday.
It is on till Sunday evening when more cars are expected. Around 30 vintage two-wheelers too are arrayed nearby. The initiative comes from Cochin Vintage Club and Ernakulam DTPC.
Businessman P. Gopakumar who owns five vintage cars, is currently engaged in restoring a 1933-model Austin, which was a rusting piece when he bought it from Bangalore. “It has already taken me six months and the restoration process is on at my house,” he said.
When asked about the owners of the car during the past decades, he said that the Motor Vehicles Department issues a new RC book, after destroying the old one – “a document which is as precious as the car.” He also laments that the department insists on regular tax, as compared to its Karnataka counterpart which gives tax holiday to vintage cars if one-time tax is remitted.
It took two years for him and his son Jayadev who is as passionate about old cars, to restore a Pathanamthitta-registered 1955-model Dodge Kingsway to its original sheen. He also owns a 1954 Italian Fiat Millicento, 1961 Ambassador and 1957 Landmaster with semaphore – a signal system in vogue before the advent of turn-indicator lights, wherein a light protrudes from the B-pillar of car in the direction it intends to turn.
Pointing to a 1956 Italian Millicento, Mr Jayadev spoke of how the classic car is even now used by many as a city car since it is fast enough and the engine does not overheat. “It was driven to Kochi from Coimbatore. Many of us who own vintage cars drive them to office. And we help each other in procuring spare parts too.”
A couple of Baby Hindustan cars (Indian models of Morris Minor) that date back to 1950s, the huge Chevrolet Impalas and Ford Fairlanes and a Triumph too are on display.
Many of us who own vintage cars drive them to office. And we help each other in procuring spare parts too.
source : http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by John L. Paul / August 23rd, 2015