[john a milne]

Here's the 1949/50 Ford.
They say it's a 1948 but my recollection it is referred to as a 1950 Model being introduced in the fall of 1949. I've had some discussions with a few of the members on this issue and will nail it down.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by john a milne

Here's the 1949/50 Ford.
They say it's a 1948 but my recollection it is referred to as a 1950 Model being introduced in the fall of 1949. I've had some discussions with a few of the members on this issue and will nail it down.

Thanks for sharing. While she could obviously benefit from some TLC, I must admit there is a certain charm about her as is too.

Regarding the year, I wouldn't know myself, but here are some aids.

A car is on display new in the Taj Mahal hotel in Bombay, the plate shows 1949.



Offered also till 1950, seen in this dutch brochure (minor differences visible)

[john a milne]

Most of the photos taken on Saturday were before the entrants had received their Number Cards so it will be a little difficult for many to cross reference the cars with the Trophy winners. The up side; at least you can see the cars with out the big number cards plastered all over them.

[john a milne]

I didn't take many photos of the cars that have participated these past few years and would suggest for those interested, that you check the 2011 & 2012 Statesman Threads. I didn't see a few of my favourite cars and will post them later as "Missing but Not Forgotten".

The second photo shows Michael Pook, Chief Judge speaking to the owner. This was one of the new cars and I understand that it received one of the major Trophies.

[john a milne]

More photos for your pleasure.

[john a milne]

Some more "Eye Candy"
Still had too high a setting on my camera and some photos had to be cropped
more than I would have liked. But all said, I'm pleased.

[john a milne]

And some more "Eye Candy"

[john a milne]

More photos, and lots more to come!

[john a milne]

As promised! Waiting to hear the all the results.

The Minerva made to the Rally today, still a few mechanical issues to sort out I'm told, but it received one of the Major Trophies.
CONGRATULATIONS SANJAY AND CREW!

[john a milne]

Still more to GO!
Put in a shot of the stage being built. Looking forward to seeing some photos of the finished stage and decor.

[john a milne]

Still lots of cars yet to be Judged!

[john a milne]

Not as many Motorcycles this year, probably due to the cold weather.

A couple of shots with the Judges critiquing Kanoria's Rolls and a few shots away from the other cars as AUTO INDIA were taking a few "studio shots" of the Rolls.

[john a milne]

AUTO INDIA also took "studio" photos of Kanoria's Renault, the Citron restored by Bumpu Sircar and, last but not least, my (wife's) Fiat 1100, WBF-1.

It was a great day for me having arrived about 11am and as I left just after 5pm as the sun set, I looked at all those cars lined up still to be Judged and was so thankful that I had retired a few years ago! The Judges worked long and hard to complete the Concours part of a truly Great and Remarkable Event. A Special thanks to The Statesman from All of Us!

I am looking forward to seeing the results in tomorrows Statesman Newspaper and I'm sure there will be lots to talk about and discuss. Next Year I'm going to make sure that I won't miss the Sunday Rally and GRAND FINALLY.

FOR THOSE OF YOU ATTENDED AND TOOK PHOTOS, PLEASE POST THEM - THANKS

PS - Here's the Car i'm really looking forward to seeing next year.

[KPS]

Thanks John for the efforts in posting the pictures. Your Fiat look good enough to have be entered.

Great line up of WB registered cars. Chrome spoke wheels and bright colours seems to be a must have in the Kolkata

Sometimes the bling bling can confuse you. There are rebodied, modified cars along with original spec cars for judging. When these cars come for judging, do the owners declared that these cars are re-bodied or modified? Are cars found to be modified allowed to come back for judging next year? This is a waste of time for the judges as the judging is supposed to be for a Concours Competition, right?

Cheers

KPS

[mbz180]

Originally Posted by KPS

Thanks John for the efforts in posting the pictures. Your Fiat look good enough to have be entered.

Great line up of WB registered cars. Chrome spoke wheels and bright colours seems to be a must have in the Kolkata

Sometimes the bling bling can confuse you. There are rebodied, modified cars along with original spec cars for judging. When these cars come for judging, do the owners declared that these cars are re-bodied or modified? Are cars found to be modified allowed to come back for judging next year? This is a waste of time for the judges as the judging is supposed to be for a Concours Competition, right?Cheers KPS

Hi KPS,

I write with all due respect. About bright paint colours and shiny chrome spoked wheels-yes some cars in Kolkata are kitted out like this, but the judges do indeed deduct points from these cars. However, shouldn’t points be deducted on an original car which is not nearly as well-maintained or roadworthy as a bling car? That is what happens and ultimately it boils down to the personal choice of the judges.


When you say re-bodied, do you mean the few cars which were just bare bones and then fitted with a hand made body? What is wrong with that? If one finds the rolling chassis of a rare car, shouldn't it be rescued with a fabricated body done to the best of one's ability? And yes, these cars are contenders for the Restoration trophies so the owners like to declare that the cars have been re-bodied. As you would know much better than I would, vintage Rolls-Royce’s were often re-bodied with RR’s approval by their authorized coachbuilders. Several owners got bored of the original coachwork or subsequent owners wanted another body. Non-authorized coachbuilders made some outstanding bodies too. In the few RM Auction results that I have seen, re-bodied cars have sold for astonishing prices. Yes, RM is a different level but the cars are re-bodied.

About modification, there are Duesenburg Model J's fitted by world-renowned restorers with the shiny exhaust manifold pipes to mimic those originally fitted to the supercharged SJ's. Similarly, non-supercharged 1930s Mercs are fitted with exhausts to mimic the supercharged models. If you just think about an 80, 70 or 60 or even a 30-year-old car, I do not see anything wrong with accessories being added or some mods being made during the course of time by owners. As I said earlier, sure, those cars which are more original should and do sometimes receive more points but not everyone has the same goal.

Lastly, the Kolkata Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally is not a concours show by any stretch, the paint on some cars looks like it was applied with a brush, chrome parts are painted gold or silver, but the owners participate year after year, the cars run alright and they don't expect any prize. I don’t see why a modded car should not be allowed to participate the next year, in any case if the mod is extreme like a wrong engine, the car won’t get any prize. If you actually look at it, the judges accept virtually every application made by owners and it's a fun outing for most. I used to think that the show was a concours, but because of the above reasons, I am of the firm view that it is not; it’s a celebration of old cars of all conditions belonging to proud owners from varied backgrounds with varied tastes.

These are my personal views and I have written only what I genuinely feel.