Calcutta-Collector/Restorers-Shashi Kanoria Shashi Kanoria is one of the first serious Collectors in Calcutta, moving from his love for racing to the vintage and classic cars in his early twenties. It was a family hobby cum business that has seen some of the finest cars pass their way. In the late 60's Vintage Rolls and their likes were being sold off or junked as their was no demand or appreciation for them. He tells of them being sold for R15,000 to R70,000, that today would be worth on 20-100 Lak in the same condition!
We had a similar situation in the 50's when there was relatively little interest in vintage cars in Canada and enthusiasts, (a good Ford Model A & V8s costing $25-100) were able to fill their garages and barns with some really great cars for next to nothing and a number of them found appreciative homes for them in the U.S where their was a much greater interest and deeper pockets. Three of my better cars, a 33 Ford coupe, 29 Chrysler model 66 & 32 Studebaker-Rockne roadster found their way South. A few of the collectors felt that the cars should stay in Canada but that was the reality at that time. I have heard similar comments here and while I applaud the efforts of the Statesman Newspaper to bring about legislation to prohibit the export of vintage cars the fact remains that many of these cars would have been scrapped.
To me the current issue is to recognize that our "Common Man's Cars" are fast disappearing and effort needs to be made to raise their profile and to lobby the government to open up the importation of much needed parts. The thread on establishing Judging Standards for Concours Events has been lively, informative, and very relevant to todays needs. Spark on TEAM MEMBERS!
Shashi renewed his old love affair about 10 years ago and drew upon some remarkable cars that he had carefully stored. Some of them he has re-restored to absolute perfection, others still in their as found condition have been meticulously restored such as his 1924 Rolls Royce that had belonged to the Maharaja of Udipur. While it didn't receive the recognition here at the Statesman Rally as it should have, it did receive it by it's new owner receiving one of the ten Trophies awarded at the fabulous Cartier Car Show in Bombay last fall.
He has a small garage/works that holds a number of his personal collection and the challenge he has faced is to find good skilled tradesmen and then to keep them busy the year around. Subsequently with his very astute eye and long standing connections has been able to find some great cars to restore and pass on to those who have the appreciation but not the skills, commitment, and time to undertake their own restorations.
It is indeed a Win, Win situation and for us who share the passion, half the fun is getting there and for Shashi the challenge of bringing back from the scrap yard a piece of our history and then return it to it's original glory. Being a full time Hobby he is very much a hands on person involved in every detail. He has a very artistic eye and my only comment is that sometimes he "guilds the lily" a little too much. However he is not alone and easily undone.
Like Sanjay, a close friend that helps out whenever needed, Shashi's family have the same passion with his son, Shrivardhan having been the other part of the team. I have heard of many collectors who unfortunately do not have other younger members of the family to carry on, and are now beginning to sell off some of their cars. I wish I was a few years younger and then I could put myself for adoption!
Their oldest car, both in age and ownership, is a 1906 Renault that was found in one of the back sheds on their Tea Estate in Darjeeling that is not only very rare but has been well restored apart from the leather seats that appear to original.
Lots of photos to post and will start with a few of the Renault and their works.
1. Shashi, his wife, my wife Jharna & Shrivardhan
2. 1906 Renault
3. 1923 Rolls Royce & 1914 Worsely.
Cheers |