[anjan_c2007]

The Statesman Vintage & Classic Rally, Kolkata, is being organised on 19th January, 2020, at the usual venue Eastern Command Sports Stadium, Fort William, from 0800 hrs onwards.

Apart from the usual entries, some surprises and first timers are expected. Since the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Command, Indian Army, it is extremely important to carry your identity card and the pass that The Statesman issues at its office at Stateman House, 4, Chowringhee Square, Kolkata, for all interested.

[anjan_c2007]

Some images from 18/01/2020-the judgment of Concours D'Elegance day. Many, many more to follow.

[anjan_c2007]

To start with a few more pictures from the Judgment Day 18.01.2020

[anjan_c2007]

More from the Judgement Day 18.01.2020

[anjan_c2007]

Some more from 18.01.2020



















This 1933 Austin 7 was driven from Ranchi to Kolkata by road to participate. The accompanying black Scorpio with a JH number is alongside. The owner Mr Gurmukh Singh Kokhar posed for a photo with other participants.















This 1948 Plymouth was owned by singer, music director and film producer Hemant Kumar Mukhopadhyaya since new. He sold it to Mr Swapan Kumar Lahiri, the present owner in 1970 and the car is with him since then. The bonnet motif has a lamp which still works. It still uses the 6 V electricals and one can be surprised to find a 6 volt battery under the bonnet.

Fiat Super Select WBJ 2513 is also owned by Mr S.K. Lahiri. A young, dynamic Judge while judging the Super Select had in the 2019 event here, told Mr Lahiri to change the taillight glasses as the Super Selects did not come with red reflectors. Old habits die hard with me. I had to butt in and tell the Hon'ble Judge that for the first time ever since 1962, Fiats had tail lights with reflectors since the dawn of the SS era. The Judge was taken aback and told me to show him pictures. He moved away very fast to another car (perhaps again searching for reflectors there ??).

























Premier Automobiles all, from the 1940's, 1960's and 1950's.





This black Dodge Kingsway Deluxe from 1956, belongs to the Commissioner of Kolkata Police since new. It was in regular use till the early 1980's. Even now, they use it during ceremonial ocassions. Mr Sourav Ghosh from the Kolkata Police drove this car.

[anjan_c2007]

"The Statesman Man", Mr Suman Bhattacharya, who as it's Secretary oversaw the successful organisation of the event.





The list of two and four wheelers participating in the Rally and the prizes and sponsors.





























(many more pictures to come )

[anjan_c2007]

More images from the Judgement day 18/01/2020





































The Yankees from the Sanjoy Ghosh Garage have started arriving as in the images below!

[sdg4wheels]

Nice Pictures and indeed it is a pleasure to watch Time Flying By in front of the eyes.

Icing on the cake to me was the Rolls-Royce in the chariot form.

Also the Dodge Kingsway Black one registered as WBE 1962 is still the official car of the Police Commissioner of Kolkata. The car I have heard is still maintained the Government as it is the official car.

[anjan_c2007]

The next lot of pictures from Judgement Day (contd)





























































This black Mercedes Benz W 115 in the last few pictures (more to come) is a Pakistani Army staff car and was used by Lt General A.A.K. Niazi, the Commander of East Pakistan Army Command. It was captured by the Indian Army during the December 1971 Indo-Pak war and is since then a property of the Indian Army. It was used as the official car of the GoC in C, Eastern Command and was Navy Blue in colour when I had seen it in 1981, as the official car of Lt General A.S. Vaidya, then GoC in C, Eastern Command. General Vaidya was the Chief of the Army Staff soon after. The car is still maintained by the Eastern Command and is used during ceremonial ocassions.

[anjan_c2007]

The next lot of images from Judgement Day





















































The above 1921 Rolls Royce is from Satyanarayana Temple, Howrah. One can view it on this link:-

https://www.alamy.com/1920-hooper-li...237581913.html

[anjan_c2007]

I am sorry for not being able to upload more images on time. This was due to some unavoidable reasons. However, I will like to continue sharing more images of the event. We are still into Judgment Day and yet to enter the Rally Day viz. 19/01/2020. I hope to do so soon.

The Judgment Day continued :-

[anjan_c2007]

More from the Judgement Day (continued)











Mr Suman Bhattacharya from The Statesman - the man behind the rally.



















































The last picture shows a Premier Automobiles Limited (PAL) products line-up ! The leading car a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe (WBC 8615) was owned by music director, singer and producer Mr Hemant Kumar Mukhopadhyaya, till 1977. The present owner is Mr Swapan Lahiri, who has preserved the 6 Volts electricals and almost every bit of its originality. The bonnet mascot pilot lamp still works. It was featured in Times of India on 19.06.2020 as a newsitem, to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Late Hemant Kumar Mukhopadhyaya.

[anjan_c2007]

Pictures (continued)






















































Attachment 2020580

Attachment 2020581