[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

Good news is that a rally is being planned from bombay to poona culminating in the poona rally.When? sometime in march.More info from the Poonawalas?

March? Here we go again... But better late than never (last 2 years no rally in Pune). Gives me time to polish the Beetle!

[karlosdeville]

Here are some pictures from my side.

The chief guest was Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister of Tourism. Impressively, he drove the entire route himself, behind the wheel of Nitin Dossa's 1947 Cadillac.



He was presented with this lovely model of a Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow.



In his cavalcade was this curio - a modern day London Cab, except it was made in China!



The Police Band was an absolute delight as always, they really add so much flavour to these events.



Stylish Alfa Romeo that I am seeing for the first time.




The BSMotoring Padmini special 'SB1100' joined in the festivities.



All part of the Kadam collection, out in full force.



Hormusji Cama's impeccable 1959 Chevy Bel Air



I was lucky enough to join Pheroze Mehta in his 1947 Chrysler for the event. Pheroze went on to win the lifetime achievement award.



Superb 1954 Dodge Kingsway convertible



The Bhagats, regular participants, brought their Hillman donning bright new colours



Lovely assortment of Buicks








This 47/8 Super sedan won the concours prize for Classics.

[karlosdeville]

Ford Model T from 1915 was the oldest car in the rally. Freshly restored, it was entered by Vijay Mallya.



Hormusji Cama's 2 door Model A Ford




Very smart looking Ford Club Coupe was a new entrant.




Imposing Lancia DiLambda of BHPian yashruia



Assortment of Mercedes





MGB cabrio is apparently in very regular use.



Pair of well restored Nortons.




Pair of Packards. The maroon car was recently restored.




Handsome Pontiac sedan of Nitin Dossa



Hormusji Cama's Rolls 20HP



My all time favourite, Rolls Phantom II Continental





Superb Standard 14, marred by the black bumpers this year.



Immaculate Triumph Twenty One 'Bathtub'



Newly restored Triumph Spitfire has turned out superb in this eye catching shade of green.



Smartly prepared Vijay Super scooter

[karlosdeville]

Here are some of the VWs that brightened up the show. My pick was the red saloon by far - really came out very well.













Looking forward to the Pune event now.

[KPS]

The Blue Ford Club Coupe has come out very well. One hardly gets to see such a body style, I doubt if we have a similar car in South.

The Messerschmedt looked very well restored and quite a unique car.

Mr. Mehta's Windsor looks in top condition. I would have preferred a dark colour as it would have highlighted the heavy chrome much better. If you see Amal's black Dodge, the chrome just stands out. The Windsor with all that chrome on a dark colour would have been outstanding.

I just love the Alfa. The front indicators are so unique thought the back is a bit plain.

The BS Motoring Padmini looks very neat and I like it. The overall proportions of the car looks very good.

Cheers

KPS

[Bulldogji]

I am told 26th march cars leave for an overnight stay at fort jadhavgarh in poona,sunday a fiesta in poona followed by lunch at Vits Balewadi.Karl, why only the beetle? The Fiat guys will surely disown you ..

[Cyrus43]

Hormusji Uncle, We know of his "German" side too. BTW, Karl, my German friends have nicknamed me Karl-Heinz for some reason. They say it is my German name!!

[Bulldogji]

Hi Cyrus,Thank god Herr Karl-Heinz was not studying in London seventy years ago.Even if he is german on his mothers side surely the FIAT side deserves a drive to such a beautiful location?

[Cyrus43]

Agreed. Now can you help me get one of my cars shipped from India to the UK as I sorely miss them!!

Also, any more information on the Pune rally? As I shall try and get dad to drive MRY 3112 for it.

[Bulldogji]

But why? IN the U K you can have lots of fun renting vintage and classics to drive around.And do tell dad to join in 3112.Will post any updates as soon as i recieve them so hope dad reads this site often.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

I am told 26th march cars leave for an overnight stay at fort jadhavgarh in poona,sunday a fiesta in poona followed by lunch at Vits Balewadi.Karl, why only the beetle? The Fiat guys will surely disown you ..

Jadhavgadh is a super location, I attended an event there by Zigwheels last year. The setting is pretty with ample open space - downside is that it is fairly outside the city, so very low chance of general public dropping by to have a look. The route will also demand your vehicle to be in proper working condition right through. No problem for Bulldogji

I get the chance to bring Fiats to our meets every month - Beetle is being ignored!

[harit]

The VCCCI (SM) event was a huge success. A very important reason was the weather. This time many cars that won a prize in judging deserved it as they did complete the run, again mainly due to the cooler weather.
As usual there were a few niggles, but these are unavoidable when you have a one man show. And that too without a sponsor.

I could not be present physically because of a demise in the family, but I did send my cars because I do care for the vintage fraternity. I did enter 4 cars, paid entrance fees for ALL, 2 cars failed at the last moment inspite of best efforts. These are old cars after all. Though there was no sponsor and yet the event was quite good, more participants than ever did pay their entrance fees, but again there were exceptions. Discriminatory practices as ever.

Not only was the weather good (cool), I was told that dinner was also appreciably good quality food, though veg(so what), catered by a renown caterer. So we must also appreciate the positive sides of the event.

The rally was a bit chaotic, I believe that towards the end of the flag-off cars were flagged off two at a time! But still somehow they managed to evaluate and give prizes for performance! I believe that this time the maximum number of cars ran the entire route. Excellent.

Another point to applaud was the judge and his judging. Seriously, he was a man of integrity as far as his performance in judging was concerned. When a certain car came to him for judging, he declined as he himself had restored that particular car. What honest and good character. In last year's event the judge, when presented a particular car, commented that he had himself restored iit, so he need not inspect. That despite the car having changed owner and more than a year had passed since him having restored that car. That judge always has his own agenda. The judge this time set an example on what good and fair judging should be like. Therefore, here I must counter Bulldoji's comments on judging at this event. Please realise that there are different aspects to it. The judge judging the concourse /restoration normally does his job sincerely, judging cars presented to him for restoration, originality, authenticity etc. At the first Haig event after prizes were announced, one prize was left out and the judge at that time was furious, till it was announced that indeed one prize was left out by mistake. Fortunately that mistake was realised before the event was over. So what about Bulldogji's comment? Well you see, the prize winners are determined before the event, it is known who MUST win a prize(includes, deservedly you), who is LIKELY to win a prize, and who CERTAINLY will NOT win a prize(like ME). So when a judge has done his good work, sincerely and honestly, VCCCI must create/fit prizes for those who should also get a prize in their opinion. That is where we have categories specially created like oldest driver, unique car, performance etc. for which the judge does not decide, VCCCI does. So, you see, your comments are actually directed at VCCCI(Smilie). I did once get the prize for unique car for my Lancia because we had guests from Pakistan and Moisin was asked to give a prize to the unique car he selected. He gave it to my Lancia. In subsequent events, this prize was determined by organiser, some years ago he gave it to himself!!!! (Mods, why limit a post only to two smilies?) This time I have got feedback that as long as I post like this I will not be awarded a prize. So be it.(Smilie).

Also, I cannot but comment on the comperes love and affection for me. (Smilie). When my Lancia was to be flagged off, he mentioned " the owners daughter", he could not mention my name as he was chocking with emotion (Smilie). There is a limit to running ones agenda and to jealousies, specially when one is running a public event under the auspicies of a club of memebers.
As a member of VCCCI, I would like to ask why there was no sponsor for this years event. At the last event we had a sponsor in Parle-Bisleri, and there was a big announcement by a WIAA office bearer that next years(2011) event would be a still bigger and better show. So how and why did the baloon get deflated? In fact this time many participants did not get the water bottle at the start, and only some got it after asking.

At the condolence meet for Pranlal Bhogilal at WIAA/VCCCI/WCMI meet, there was a discussion that there should be no prizes. Nitin Dossa clearly stated that the judge was already invited and all arrangements were finalised, so that could be considered for the next event. But about performance, many of us clearly understood that this could be done away with even for this event. And that all participants would be given a memento. There were many tbhpian's present, let me see if any will corroberate this by posting publicly(Smilie). But at the event again performance prizes were announced. Many of us know that VCCCI prizes are political, but many also take them seriously, so best to do away with them.

I stand fully behind my posts concerning VCCCI and what is going on there. So far I have not received any rebuttal upfront, just vibes, and I know that I am not putting up any untruths. It took Egypt 30 years to rebel, I do not have 30 years. Here also it is high time for change. Sooner, the better.

Cheers harit

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Stylish Alfa Romeo that I am seeing for the first time.

I believe this was the same Alfa Romeo used to compare the modern Alfa (I believe the Brera) that was brought down for a certain high profile Fiat official. The story was featured in Autocar, remember?

[Bulldogji]

Harit, of course you are free to counter my comments.. just as I am free to stand by mine,to retierate that our judges are just not knowledgeable about all makes and models.For example.often I have heard our self stylied experts stating that post war rolls and bentleys NEVER came with metallic paint.Even after telling them that I have copies of build sheets confirming metallic shades..Cars are judged for cosmetics and the owner/restorer sales pitch.How many cars have been judged for mechanical excellence? which should be done AFTER the car completes the whole route?But end of the day we have a lovely time meeting friends and having fun.I only feel sorry for those who come with the intention of going home with a prize.Anyway, lets agree to disagree on judging standards here.

[Prabal]

Whether there's a Changing of the Guard or the Guard changes itself (okay himself, if someone so insists!!) before the laments are addressed (what an unexciting world it would be, when perfect!), but I'm glad the event happened in the right season this year. Wish I could have made it to Bombay on time. Maybe, the constellations shall be kind on me for the event in Poona!