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-   -   Report & Pics: The 50th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/174202-report-pics-50th-statesman-vintage-classic-car-rally.html)

The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car rally is - subject to correction - the oldest continuously held vintage and classic car event in India, first held in Delhi in 1966. It has been widely been regarded as an event of high prestigious, given its disciplined nature of judging - I counted six stations earmarked for a participating vehicle to be scrutinised! 2016 is a landmark year, celebrating 50 years of the event. The event was held on the 28th of Feb last month.

Entries to the event I am told are restricted to older cars, and smaller, newer more popular cars as seen in other events are not encouraged in an effort to maintain exclusivity. Having said that, many cars not participating do come just to visit.

This was the first time I was attending, hitching a ride with BHPian Shivraj in his daily-driver 1934 Ford Model B.



Here are some pictures of most of the cars attending.

No Statesman event would be complete without a host of baby Austins - I counted at least 7, maybe I missed a couple.

This was probably the oldest of the lot, a 'Chummy'














A couple more later models too were in attendance.






Awini's 1927 Austin 12/4 finally made her debut. In the family from the 60s and under restoration probably shortly after that :D the car has turned out superb. A rare bodystyle with coachwork by Mulliners, Awini has kitted the car with a host of very cool period accessories.









In contrast to the other 'people's car Austins' was this pair of VandenPlas Princess'.




1939 Bentley 4 1/4 litre MX, #B79MX. I believe what makes this car even more special is that I'm told it was the only James Young Sedanca built. Ordered new for the royal family of Nabha, more recently the body was reworked in an attempt to create more sporty lines.











1948 Bentley Mark VI Standard Steel Saloon, #B148AK, ordered new by Darbhanga, was the other Bentley present.

I counted an impressive 8 Buicks attending, including a trio of 1940 models.
















Stunning 1938 Cadillac V16 was visiting from Bombay.


Early Chevy Tourer, around 1926 or 27.


1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster


Early Citroen tourer must have been the oldest car at the event. We missed seeing the 1914 Morris Fire engine this time which is otherwise a regular participant.


1959 Daimler SP250/Dart was an entry from Jaipur.


1952 Daimler DB18


A later Daimler limousine


1947/48 DeSoto


1947/48 Dodge was ex Nabha, and a very original car prior to restoration




A pair of colourful 1954 Dodge Kingsway convertibles. Growing very quickly in desirability along with their DeSoto and Plymouth counterparts.




1955 Dodge Kingsway


1956 Dodge Kingsway


Pair of prewar Fiat Balillas.


1960 Fiat Spyder was featured in the hit Rajesh Khanna song Chala Jaata hoo


Trio of Ford Model As

A pair of Ford B Tourers, and a Sedan





A pair of English Fords, a Consul and Prefect



A rare Frazer - these are rarely seen at events.


A beautifully presented Hillman.



Shivraj's other entry, a Hillman Minx DHC. Pretty rare in this bodystyle.


Jaguar Mark II with modernised bits including bumpers and wheels



Jaguar Mark V


1951 Jaguar XK140 DHC, ex Pataudi



A few Jeeps were in attendance, including a lone Station Wagon



1935 Lagonda M45 (ex Bikaner) has attended almost every Statesman event since the 60s, and proudly carries the stickers

1937 Mercedes 170V Roadster



Another Mercedes 170V, with full length ragtop


Mercedes-Benz Ponton


Mercedes-Benz Fintail 190 W110


1946 Mercury V8


1949 MG YT


A later MG Midget


Early Morris Minor saloon would have excited Kartik:)


Pair of Morris 8 Tourers



Morris Minor high light convertible


1946/48 Oldsmobile


Overland Tourer


1934 Packard 8 ex Datia attended from Bombay


1938 Packard was formerly campaigned in Preservation Class, now restored


Peugeot 403


Unusual to see a trio of 1930s Plymouths




1947/48 Pontiac


Renault Dauphine was a unique entry


This Riley is a regular in Delhi events

1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Hooper Tourer, #23TG, Kaslia from new.
This highly original car has been with the Kalsia family from new, and has been undergoing restoration for decades. Mechanically the car is nearing completion, with the chasis being driven around the property. Next I suppose they will tackle the cosmetics.






1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30hp, H J Mulliner Landaulette, #GTL9


1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp, Windovers Sports Saloon, #GWX1


1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30hp, Salmons Sedanca DHC, #GXM5


Singer Roadster


Early Standard Herald convertible was spotted visiting in the morning


1930 Studebaker Commander, in Awini's family since new.


1930 Stutz Series M


Sunbeam Roadster


A pair of VW Beetles were seen, not sure if they participated



Wolseley DHC


A lot of enthusiasts visit the event in their recent classics too. We spotted this neat late BMW and Jag, as well as this Morgan replica





Flag-off was, if I'm not mistaken, by the Chief of the Air Force. The new Suzuki standing outside proudly bore plates "IAF 1"


While this Mitsubishi Lancer had a large participation sticker across, we can be sure it was not a participant:D


Prizes are a big deal for the event, and they have beautiful trophies in comparison to what I am used to seeing at our end. Multiple prize-winners are understandably proud of their achievements.



A very nice touch was allotting a fixed spot for each participant, identified by the competition number. Given our space crunch we don't have such luxuries in Bombay though.


In conclusion, as most enthusiasts always say, the best part about these events is simply meeting old and new friends and having a jolly good time. An impromptu picnic seemed to be having the most fun. No place to sit? Pull the seats out of the Ford, and problem solved.:D

Thanks Karl, This car has a mix of parts from 1930 to 1933, here is another picture from the rally.

Wow. This is some great coverage ! When I started viewing the thread, I was secretly wishing the presence of a BMW E30 M3 even though the car is 1985-1992 compared to likes of other ol' timers which were clearly the highlight of the event. Lo and behold, my prayer was answered and it was red in color too! The E30 M3 is one of the greatest cars ever produced which is why it is also my avatar on this forum. Knowing that I can probably serendepetiously spot one in Delhi has made my day. Also, I am no Sherlock Holmes but my guess is that the Mitsubishi Lancer took the number from the VW beetle which you weren't sure was in the event or no :D

Glad to see a Herald attending these 'major' events again! :thumbs up
That's NOT a convertible though, just a saloon with roof taken off and a "kaenchi" (scissor) top fitted! :)

But even then, its a welcome sight; pity I couldn't make it for this event- or any Statesman one (yet) for that matter!

What a super collection of cars. Amazing to such a number of high quality Buick's.

Thanks Karl for the wonderful report and pictures. Did share it with the KVCCC Group to make them appreciate the quality of cars in the other parts of the country.

Cheers

KPS

Great coverage and, by and large, a wonderful collection of cars. Apart from the few awful, cringe-inducing examples, like the silver Mark II / S-type Jaguar - a splendidly awful example, with the ghastly alloy wheels and those incredible bumpers! In direct contrast to the Lagonda and Stutz which capture the grace of the period so well.

Beautiful cars each one of them. The Fiat 1960 Spyder looks startlingly modern in its stance. That would be a nice car to drive in cool weather on a lazy day.
The Heralds were nice little cars too in their time.