[harit]

Originally Posted by Yash Ruia

I believe the car is coming back to India and should be here by March 2012. All the licensing was due to the effort of Mr. Nitin Dossa, the President of The Vintage and Classic Car Club of India.

Any updates on the cars return to India? Till date I have not heard anything, maybe the car will yet come to India?
Someone will say that I bring politics into this, but at the launch of Gautam Sen's book at the French Ambassadors residence in Delhi about a year ago, Nitin Dossa officially announced that collectors will be able to bring their cars purchased abroad into India. As far as I know such cars came into India only under TR's, or carnets where they have to be re-exported.

Cheers harit

[Bulldogji]

Originally Posted by Yash Ruia

I believe the car is coming back to India and should be here by March 2012. All the licensing was due to the effort of Mr. Nitin Dossa, the President of The Vintage and Classic Car Club of India.

Hi Yash, Can you give us an update? March 2012 has come and gone. Is the beauty back in Rajkot? Or is she on loan to certain museums in the West?

[Bulldogji]

Yash, earlier you had mentioned that the star will be back early 2012. Now it seems as if the star is due to shine at PB. Will she be coming home thereafter? Rumours abound that VCCCI is involved in bringing her back, so maybe you can share some info on how and when? formalities involved? After all with your recent incarnation in the VCCCI you must have the answers. All enthusiasts are keen to know the paper work etc required. Please do tell us .

[Faster789]

Originally Posted by harit

Nitin Dossa officially announced that collectors will be able to bring their cars purchased abroad into India. As far as I know such cars came into India only under TR's, or carnets where they have to be re-exported.Cheers harit

Interesting. Is there anything further on this?

Would this include cars taken out of India (as opposed to "purchased" abroad) that have lived abroad ever since their removal? Could they be taken back abroad once they enter India?

[kasli]

Originally Posted by Faster789

Interesting. Is there anything further on this?

Would this include cars taken out of India (as opposed to "purchased" abroad) that have lived abroad ever since their removal? Could they be taken back abroad once they enter India?

I think this was for cars which were once in india and exported. Cheers

[harit]

Originally Posted by Faster789

Interesting. Is there anything further on this?
Would this include cars taken out of India (as opposed to "purchased" abroad) that have lived abroad ever since their removal? Could they be taken back abroad once they enter India?

Originally Posted by kasli

I think this was for cars which were once in india and exported. Cheers

What does "this" stand for in Kasli's post?

There is no clarity on this, our influencial friends, organisations, associations and clubs are not able to achieve the goal and some of them shoot of the hip. This shooting of the hip leads to more confusion.
Today you cannot import a vintage or classic car for keeps (for re-export yes) whether it was ever in India before, or whether it is a new purchase. There are a few cars of both categories waiting to come in. Some cars have come in under TR. After import they are faced with registration problems because the valuation policy is not clear for taxation purpose.

India has a policy on import of cars in place, which does not differentiate between purpose, daily runner, collector cars or supercars. We can understand to place restrictions on daily runners to protect local industry, so cars no older than 3 years is allowed to be imported, must be RHD, etc. Now look at the joke, Bugatti LHD is now allowed because of high revenue earned on a single car by import duties and road taxation, but a LHD classic car is not allowed. This shows that rules can be tweaked, one has to be strong enough and focussed to achieve that. Sadly, many of our clubs are not focused, not only for this but for most of their activities.

Cheers harit

[Bulldogji]

Nice to see this beauty rolling at Pebble Beach. Comments have been made on the passenger in the front seat. Looks like Arvind Singhji, says one. But why would he not be sitting in his own PB entry? Could the gentleman be Mr Nitin Dossa??? Hope to see this beauty in flesh back in India soon.

[harit]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

Nice to see this beauty rolling at Pebble Beach. Comments have been made on the passenger in the front seat. Looks like Arvind Singhji, says one. But why would he not be sitting in his own PB entry? Could the gentleman be Mr Nitin Dossa??? Hope to see this beauty in flesh back in India soon.

Maybe a Rajkot Royal? But normally they would sit in the rear, the front was for the driver and attendants. That is why very often the upholtry is simpler in the front, and more luxurious in the rear.
Hopefully this car will start its journey to India after the PB event.

He could also be Shrikant Karani

Cheers harit

[travancore]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

Nice to see this beauty rolling at Pebble Beach. Comments have been made on the passenger in the front seat. Looks like Arvind Singhji, says one. But why would he not be sitting in his own PB entry? Could the gentleman be Mr Nitin Dossa??? Hope to see this beauty in flesh back in India soon.

Mr. Nitin Dossa was indeed riding shotgun during the ramp drive. In the background is the Bhopal RR PIII.

I have posted more pictures on the Indians at PB thread

[KPS]

Originally Posted by travancore

Mr. Nitin Dossa was indeed riding shotgun during the ramp drive.

Did you inquire with the Maharaja/Dossa when the car is expected back in India? What a wonderful looking car. Thanks for the pictures

[Bulldogji]

My little Tweety bird says that the Star will soon set sail for Bombay in preparation for Cartier 2013. Now this poses a problem. The Napiers have to be rewarded, the Star cannot be ignored, Solution?? Put both in separate classes, all are happy. After all one must admit, the Napiers and the Rolls are deserving candidates.

[travancore]

Originally Posted by KPS

Did you inquire with the Maharaja/Dossa when the car is expected back in India? What a wonderful looking car. Thanks for the pictures

Had a great time talking to all of them. I refrained from asking that specific question!

[Bulldogji]

When Elizabeth Taylor was born, her mother remarked that a STAR was born. I am sure that similar sentiments must be felt in Rajkot, since THE STAR has finally returned. She quietly and gracefully slipped into the country, known only to the owners and of course VCCCI, who handled everything so skillfully. Thereafter she continued her stately journey back home where she proudly awaits her formal unveiling, maybe to coincide with the VCCCI rally on november 4th with the Star leading the way. If VCCCI managed to get the duty waived for this car, it could set a good precedent for others to bring back cars that were once in India. I am aware of an attempt by certain individuals to petition the government in delhi to permit import of vintage cars by levying a flat rate of customs duty, unfortunately nothing seems to have happened as yet. The Rajkot P2, chassis 188PY, after having been bought back by the family, was shown to the media on november 9th 2010 at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada, and thereafter thrown open to public viewing from november 20th to April 3rd, 2011, after which she went to London. The Victoria and Albert museum had plans to display the car as well, no idea why that did not happen. Thereafter she was to come home for the Cartier 2013 show, but became a sudden, last minute entrant to Pebble Beach earlier this year. FINALLY, home sweet home. What a journey. Hats off to the family for all the time, effort and money spent, to bring back their prized heirloom. Hopefully, VCCCI will now offer similar help to other Maharajas who might want to do the same. The postponed Rajkot rally participants, being flagged off on november 2nd, will really be treated to this eye candy once they arrive in Rajkot.

[harit]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

When Elizabeth Taylor was born, her mother remarked that a STAR was born. ..........

Well, what do you know, she is here. Funnily though, the cars arrival was to be announced in a big way, TV interviews were shot in India, only to be requested to hold the broadcast. Probably to derive maximum milage when the unveiling will be done on 4th November. Hopefully by then there will be sufficient participants for the event. Though the rally has been well publicised, response is poor and efforts are being made get more participants by contacting directly and cajoling.

Star of India is a name given to this car in later years, Rajkot never owned a "Star of India". It was simply a RR Phantom bodied by Thrupp and Maberley. Simply in nomenclature only, the car is magnificient.

Unfortunately there have been too many flip-flops about the appearances of this car. Till May 2012 she was not entered for Pebble Beach, in August 2012 she landed up over there. Unfortunately not well finished and detailed as those present will confirm. Such appearances must be planned in advance and preparations made properly.

I can only hope that there will be sufficient hype around the car's return to show the Government ministries that such returns should be encouraged and not have obstacles placed in terms of procedures and laws.

Cheers harit

[karlosdeville]

Here is a period still of the car apparently being used in a wedding in 1945