After the recent success of their Goodbye 2021 Breakfast Meet, Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) was back with yet another exquisitely curated event in the form of The Lake Club – EIMG Concours D’Elegance 2022 in association with ACE Commercial which was held on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at The Lake Club, Kolkata.
While the City of Joy has been witness to innumerable vintage and classic car events in the past, a few of which have been successfully organised by EIMG over the last couple of years, however, this particular event occupies a pride of place for being the city’s first ever Concours D’Elegance.
The mere mention of the term ‘Concours D’Elegance’ among historical car enthusiasts conjures up the image of a very special automotive event. Like several objects of beauty and admiration, not surprisingly, the term ‘Concours D’Elegance’ is also French, and translates to ‘competition of elegance.’
According to sources, the first such events were held in France when carriages were still in use, and later shifted to automobiles in the early 20th century. Those early Concours not only celebrated automobiles, but women’s fashion and food as well. Prizes were awarded in all categories, and the celebrations extended over several days. Today, some critics of those early dismiss them as mere ‘beauty contests’. Judging was entirely subjective, which gave birth to the term ‘French judging’, which is still considered by many purists to be true Concours judging.
Fast forward to March 2022, and EIMG sets the temperature soaring in Kolkata with an array of stunning automobiles which took part in The Lake Club – EIMG Concours D’Elegance. Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria, Founder and President of EIMG handpicked 80 heritage vehicles and classified them into seven different categories inspired by the world-renowned Pebble Beach and other internationally acclaimed Concours D’Elegance held globally. The cars were judged by Kanoria himself assisted by his Concours Restoration Team on the basis of authenticity, restoration, maintenance, historical importance, and rarity.
While each of the 80 participating heritage vehicles on display at the EIMG Concours D’Elegance came with considerable history and interesting anecdotes from the yesteryear, however, worth a special mention are Ananda Chowdhury’s 1913 Stoewer (oldest car of the show), Hossain’s 1923 Panther, Sanjay Agarwal’s 1926 Fiat, Sanjay Ghosh’s 1932 Ford V8 (the maestro’s favourite), Azam Monem’s 1937 Rolls Royce (an exquisite car), Golam Momen’s 1938 Rolls Royce (a showstopper and the Best of Show), Rupak Ghosh’s 1947 MG (a marvel), Siddharth Swarup’s 1947 Wolseley (a very original car), Abhishek Jaiswal’s 1938 Mercedes (this came all the way from Ranchi for this event), Sanjay Ghosh’s 1947 Chevrolet (a stunner), S.K. Lahiri’s 1948 Plymouth (owned by a true blue enthusiast), Sarojesh Mukerjee’s 1959 Ford Zephyr (latest addition to Kolkata) and Saikat Dutta’s 1963 Triumph Spitfire (a head turner) that left the audience mesmerised.
Although not participating in the Concours D’Elegance, however, the two cars which drew admiration from onlookers were Shrivardhan Kanoria’s 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 and Rekha Kanoria’s 1931 Chevrolet Big 6.
Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria, Founder and President – EIMG, commented: “Such shows are the call of the day when it comes to enjoying this Heritage Vehicle hobby. I feel it as an integral responsibility towards this movement and hence put in my time and effort towards organising these events, throughout the year, for the benefit and encouragement of the Heritage Vehicle owners of Eastern India.
Organising an event of this magnitude can’t succeed without the support of your team. I would like to thank Mr. Shubhajit Kumar, Secretary – EIMG for coordinating with our venue partner and Ms. Siddique Cowper & team for marshalling the event. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Dharmaditya (Julia) Patnaik (ACE Commercial) for sponsoring the beautiful mementoes and trophies and Mr. Diljeet Titus (founder of The Titus Museum) for hosting a gala dinner for the participants and EIMG team.”
“For the past three years, The Lake Club has been collaborating with EIMG in organizing this vintage and classic car & bike show for their members and guests. This annual event has steadily gained in popularity becoming one of the most awaited events in the Club’s calendar which witnesses a great turnout of exotic heritage cars, as well as a huge footfall of both members and guests, making this the best heritage motoring event in Kolkata. I’m grateful to Lake Club for their continued support”, Kanoria added.
Californians like to regard Pebble Beach as the most prestigious heritage car show in the world. We Kolkatans are undoubtedly much more reserved in our acclaim, although the ‘zest and fervour’ that was witnessed The Lake Club – EIMG Concours D’Elegance 2022 was perhaps parallel to the best heritage car show anywhere in the world. California might have its Pebble Beach, London its Salon Prive’, Lago di Como its Villa d’Este, but Kolkata’s first Concours D’Elegance certainly has the potential to become as illustrious in years to come.
This marquee event will hopefully inspire other Kolkata based heritage motoring clubs to organise more Concours D’Elegance, but like Neil Armstrong, EIMG will always be known for doing it first.
Photographs courtesy Sourish Meryson and Deepanjan Sarkar.
Power Drive 