[AmarPaithankar]

Goa had its first ever vintage and classic car rally on the 1st of October 2016.

Having spent a considerable amount of my life in Goa, I knew the rich auto culture that Goa had. In the 80s and early 90s, one could easily notice Beetles, Pontons and Fintails dotting Goa's picturesque landscape.

It was but natural for me to drive down from Pune to attend this important event which had a majority of Goan entries.

One could see cars that were never seen before in any rally / event. Mumbai and Pune have such events regularly and many cars are regular entrants. This was not the case with the event in Goa.

Although some cars were driven down from as far as Nagpur, for me it was the Goan cars that stole the show, particularly the Lt. Governor's Cadillac which used to speed down DB road from Cabo Raj Niwas to the Secretariat and back in its heyday. This car has been restored to perfection after lying unused at the Fire station in Panjim for years. The other Cadillacs were also a treat to watch.

Cars like the Datsun and Volvo stood out in a sea of Beetles!

[AmarPaithankar]

Some more images of the event

I saw rare cars like the Ambassador / Morris Oxford for the first time

[AmarPaithankar]

A Standard Herald and Nissan Jonga were driven down from Nagpur

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by AmarPaithankar

A Standard Herald and Nissan Jonga were driven down from Nagpur

The Cent India Vintage Automotive Association (CIVAA) team also comprised a Mercedes 200 fintail Heckeflosse and a 1946 Ford low bonnet jeep. The only two wheeler was a BMW of the 1950's vintage. The fivesome won an award each for the longest distance travelled. And the 1964 Standard Herald won the Award for the Best Maintained Indian Heritage Classic car.

[ajmat]

Nice, if I am right, the blue Volvo was for sale in our classifieds. It was orange and needed a lot of work. Glad to see it restored

[AmarPaithankar]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Nice, if I am right, the blue Volvo was for sale in our classifieds. It was orange and needed a lot of work. Glad to see it restored

This blue Volvo which earlier wore an orange shade was owned probably by Dr. Menezes who also had a silver 4-door VW Golf.

[coloneljasi]

Originally Posted by AmarPaithankar

Although some cars were driven down from as far as Nagpur, for me it was the Goan cars that stole the show, particularly the Lt. Governor's Cadillac which used to speed down DB road from Cabo Raj Niwas to the Secretariat and back in its heyday. This car has been restored to perfection after lying unused at the Fire station in Panjim for years. The other Cadillacs were also a treat to watch.

I was there in Goa last week and had to fly back on the 30th, due to month end pressures at work. Really wanted to stay back for this rally, but couldn't.

The Lt Governor's Cadillac looks absolutely pristine, is it still owned and used by the Government of Goa? Would love to know more about this car and the other Cadillacs.

Goans really love their cars and it shows as you travel down the state's picturesque roads.

[anjan_c2007]

The day before - viz. 30/09/2016 , venue Paryatan Bhavan, Panaji. The owners giving last minute touches to their beauties.

















Above: Westinghouse headlamp fitted to the Dodge Power Wagon during restoration















Below : The pre-rally spottings on 01/10/2016 morning. The Fiat Super Select was parked in front of our hotel and belongs to Mr Arun Vasudevan. He had driven down from Bangalore.
The Cadillac Fleetwood (owned by a business house in Goa) and the Morris 8 (owned by Mr Krishna Kant Kamat) were soptted while moving to the Rally venue.

[anjan_c2007]

Pictures clicked by me at the Rally flag-off venue on 01/10/2016 viz. Paryatan Bhavan, Panaji, Goa:

[AmarPaithankar]

Nice too see the preparation images.

The other black Cadillac is probably owned by the Dempos who used it regularly in the 80s. It used to be parked in front of Dempo House situated near muncipal market, overlooking the Mandovi river.

I will post some more images today evening

[KartikeyaL]

Great pictures, it seems like more classics then vintage vehicles took part,
was hoping to see some Goa cars which took part in 21 gun salute rally.

[anjan_c2007]

More pictures from Paryatan Bhavan, Panaji, from where the Rally was flagged off:-

[anjan_c2007]

From the flag-off venue of Paryatan Bhavan, Panaji (01/10/2016)

[AmarPaithankar]

Remaining images of the Goa rally. In addition to the Beetles, I got to see a couple of Vincent cars that I never saw before.

Noteworthy entrants from the land of the rising sun like Datsun and Toyota made this event unique.

[anjan_c2007]

More pictures from the Goa Rally, 01/10/2016 flag-off venue , Paryatan Bhavan, Panaji