Tag: classic-cars

A Spectacular Sunday At The DI EIMG Heritage Vehicle Display

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The Dalhousie Institute (DI) and Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) in association with Concourz Restorations joined hands to organise the third edition of THE DI EIMG HERITAGE VEHICLE DISPLAY on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

The event was held at the lawn and the courtyard of The Dalhousie Institute where a bevy of 75 heritage vehicles including four and two wheelers were displayed.

The member of DI along with their guests were in for a visual treat as some rare and exotic heritage wheels made the onlookers drool in admiration and envy.

Established in 2020, EIMG has since been anchoring the revival of the heritage motoring movement in Kolkata. Under the leadership of Founder & President Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria (himself a collector & restorer of national repute) and his team, EIMG has been instrumental in organising some of the most widely appreciated and admired heritage motoring events in the city.

These stellar events has provided the much needed impetus to heritage vehicle owners and restorers to pursue their passion with added zest to ensure that these beauties turn up at each event looking their best.

Founded in 1859, The Dalhousie Institute is a venerable social club with a rich legacy and heritage of its own. It was just a matter of time that these two organization – DI and EIMG – came together to create an evening of automobile magic.

This collaboration was made possible with the effort of Mr. Shubhajit Kumar, EIMG Secretary and a collector himself – who acted as the bridge between DI and EIMG.

Kanoria had handpicked 75 heritage vehicles which was part of this grand display. The vehicles were segmented into four different categories namely Vintage Cars, Classic Cars, Indian Heritage Cars and Two Wheelers.

All the vehicles selected for this event were spectacular in their own right with significant historical importance.

Eight vintage Rolls-Royces including a rare Bentley graced the display, which included three Rolls-Royces from the Shrivardhan Kanoria Collection itself.

Other notable cars on display included an ultra rare 1934 SS1 Sports, 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe, 1931 Chevrolet Big 6, 1937 Opel Cabrio, 1947 MG TC, 1950 Austin 8, 1958 Mercedes Ponton, and 1965 Hillman Imp.

The Thanksgiving Ceremony was conducted by EIMG President Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria wherein the beautiful mementos sponsored by Concourz Restorations were presented to the heritage vehicle owners and other important stakeholders.

In his thanksgiving address Mr. Kanoria said, “I would like to express my gratitude to the committee members of The Dalhousie Institute for their support and cooperation for making this event possible. Special mention to the Club President and Club Secretary. Heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Shubhajit Kumar for being instrumental for this collaboration between DI and EIMG. Lastly thank you to Telegraph T2 and Exide for supporting this event.”

The thanksgiving ceremony was followed by a sumptuous dinner hosted by EIMG President Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria.

Photographs by Mohammed Adnan Aslam

EIMG Vintage Car Fiesta 2024 Usher In The Heritage Vehicle Season In Style

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The Town Hall of Calcutta threw opened its doors to the public on March 22, 1814. Since that day, the Roman Doric style two-storied building, which stands in a rectangular block with two porticos, supported by rows of pillars has remained witness to many important gatherings of historic importance. Fast forward 210 years to a wintry Sunday morning of December 1 and this grand edifice stood testament to yet a marquee heritage vehicle event – the flag off of the EIMG Vintage Fiesta 2024 – presented by Club De Golf.

Now in its fourth year, the EIMG Vintage Fiesta 2024 was organised by Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) – a community of serious heritage vehicle collectors from all across Eastern India – the line up for the EIMG Vintage Fiesta 2024 included as many as 60 rare heritage two and four wheelers which were selectively handpicked by EIMG Founder & President Shrivardhan Kanoria, himself a restorer and collector of national repute.

By 8.30 AM, the vehicles started to arrive and aided by the team of EIMG marshals led by Ms. Siddique Cowper, these vehicles were parked in a predetermined sequence in front of the majestic Town Hall. What a sight it was to behold with these horseless carriage basking in the winter sun.

Once the lining up of these heritage vehicles concluded, it was time for EIMGians to share some camaraderie, exchanging notes and valuable information about these ageless beauties, over a hot cuppa and some delicious packed breakfast arranged by fellow EIMGian Ajay Kejriwal.

There were several noteworthy heritage vehicles which participated in this vintage gala. Few worth mentioning were Shrivardhan Kanoria’s 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine and a 1948 Bentley Mark 6 owned by Azam Monem, both stunning cars making their Kolkata debut; a beautifully restored 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Saloon owned by Tamalika Naha, Ananda Choudhury’s 1913 Stoewer (the oldest participating car and a huge crowd puller), SK Lahiri’s 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe (formerly owned by legendary signer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and fondly referred to as Nilu by its present owner), a very popular 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster owned by Saikat Dutta, Shubhajit Kumar’s 1963 Standard Herald, a 1956 Land Rover owned by Sumit Periwal, Kunal Banerji’s 1926 Studebaker Erskine, Debaprem Chatterji’s 1950 Austin A40, and a 1940 Triumph owned by Terrance Lobo. But the one that really stood out among the galaxy of heritage stars was Kanoria’s ultra rare 1934 SS1 Tourer.  A real headturner!

Post a quick briefing session by the EIMG President and the group photograph, it was time for these heritage motors to be flagged off from Town Hall for the final destination – Club De Golf in the New Town. Imagine a convoy of 60 heritage vehicle driving down the majestic Red Road flanked by the Maidan on one side. It was a sight for the City of Joy to watch as these beauties elegantly rolled together towards New Town.

It is worth mentioning that on this day alone, each of these heritage vehicles clocked around 60-70 kilometres on their odometers (garage to garage) which is an incredibly great deal for these vehicles and a testimony for the superlative effort put in by the owners who have kept the fire burning in their hearts.

After reaching Club De Golf located inside the picturesque New Town Golf Club, the heritage vehicles were displayed for a vintage rendezvous with their Club members and visitors. A thanks giving ceremony followed where each of the owners were felicitated with a memento for upholding the legacy of heritage motoring. Present on this special occasion was Ms. Akansha Pandey, Owner – Club De Golf and Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria, Founder & President – EIMG among few other dignitaries. 

This was followed by a fascinating auto quiz which made all the EIMGians put on their thinking cap. It was brilliantly organized and proved to be a great learning experience for everyone present as many unknown trivia and facts about cars were revealed. The icing on the cake was the sumptuous cocktail brunch hosted by Club De Golf for all the members of EIMG.

Photographs by Sourish Meryson

Times Are Changing – Preservation Beats Restoration At World-Class Concours

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For the very first time, a ‘preserved’ car has won Best of Show at a world-class concours event – a moment of huge significance for the historic vehicle movement.

At last month’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2024, the coveted Trofeo BMW Group – overall award for Best of Show – went to the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 by Figoni, owned by 27-year-old Belgian collector Thibault De Meester.

“The huge significance of this moment is that a car which has been largely preserved, rather than restored, took the highest accolade,” says Tiddo Bresters, President of FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic vehicles).

“It clearly highlights the trend towards preservation over restoration, a shift that FIVA has long championed. We are proud to say that FIVA has been a frontrunner in the battle for preservation and authenticity, having launched our FIVA ‘Best Preserved Vehicle’ award at Pebble Beach in 1999. Nor is the Villa d’Este result a one-off. In 2023, a Duesenberg SJ that was last restored more than 20 years ago won Best of Show at Villa d’Este, and now this perfectly preserved 1932 Alfa Romeo has confirmed that attitudes have changed.”

Bresters concludes: “Looking ‘brand new’ isn’t the point – the importance of a car is in its history; its authenticity; its place in our automotive heritage. It’s extremely encouraging to see this appreciation of a well-preserved car spreading through the highest echelons of the historic vehicle world, as well as through the bedrock of the classics owned, maintained and enjoyed by the millions of enthusiasts we represent around the globe.”

FIVA now looks forward with great interest to Pebble Beach 2024. Whether or not a ‘preserved’ vehicle takes the top prize there in August, FIVA – in partnership with the Hagerty Drivers Foundation – will again be presenting trophies during Monterey Week, at both The Quail Motorsports Gathering and Pebble Beach, awards that have been renamed ‘in honour of Dr Frederick Simeone’, the preservation award judge and automotive historian who passed away in 2022.

Donington Park Roars Into Life This May

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Donington Park roars into life on 4 and 5 May when hundreds of superb historic racing cars descend for the Donington Historic Festival, one of the highlights of the classic motorsport calendar.

This family-friendly event showcases everything from Touring Cars from the 1960s, 70s and 80s and stunning 1950s and 60s sportscars, GT cars and sports-racers to venerable pre-War sportscars – some more than 100 years old in a jam packed timetable. There are even three races dedicated to Ferraris. And, despite the age and rarity of the cars, the highly competitive drivers don’t hold back, the resulting high-octane track battles delighting the crowds of spectators. Each day of DHF 2024 offers its own unique blend of world-class classic motor racing, and many of the races are two-driver, so require pit stops and driver changes, which only adds to the excitement!

The track action isn’t confined to the racing. This year the Festival celebrates the 100th anniversary of Bentley’s first win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with lunchtime track displays of significant historic racing machines from the iconic marque – including 2003 Speed 8 chassis 004/1 and 2000 EXP Speed 8 Le Mans GT prototype chassis 002/1. Also at lunchtime, 100 classic and collectors’ cars from the nearly 60 car clubs displaying at the event will parade round the Donington Park circuit. On the Saturday these will be led by a group of Ferraris, followed by a contingent of Honda NSXs which are paying tribute to Formula One legend Ayrton Senna and, on the Sunday, a group of classic Ford Mustangs will proudly lead the club parade, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the world’s first ‘pony car’. There’s even action in the sky, with flypasts from a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight each afternoon.

Off-track there’s plenty to do and see at the 2024 Donington Historic Festival. 2003 Le Mans-winning Bentley driver Guy Smith – who is also racing at the event – will take part in a Q&A session alongside Howden Haynes, Data Engineer for Team Bentley during their 2001-2003 Le Mans campaign, giving the audience the lowdown on Bentley’s return to the epic endurance race after a gap of 70 years. And Touring Car fans can find out more about the world of Touring Cars, with Q&A sessions with 2012 World Touring Car Champion and 2020 Scandinavian Touring Car Champion Rob Huff and Colin Turkington, BMW’s most successful racing car driver of all time and four-times British Touring Car Champion. Both Colin and Rob will also be racing at the weekend – the calibre of drivers at the Donington Historic Festival matches that of the priceless racing cars!

Festival-goers can also explore the open-access race Paddock and get up close to all the racing cars and the historic Bentley competition car display, grab some video of amazing engine noises and bag a selfie with their favourite machine. While there, they can also check out the Mustang 60th anniversary display, shop at the trade stands, visit the British Historic Kart Club’s display and raise money for charity by taking a Dream Ride on local roads in one of the classic and supercars that the Sporting Bears Motor Club is bringing along. Visitors can also take a pitlane walk and visit the car club displays in the Infield and on the Melbourne Hairpin and chat to the owners about their much-loved vehicles.

The Festival is also hosting an art exhibition, featuring the work of some of Britain’s leading motoring and motorsport artists. And there’s a display of memorabilia from the Donington Park archive – plus visitors can meet ‘Old Tom’, a 92-year-old steam oller which worked on the construction of the original Donington Park track!

New MG Cyberster To Lead 100 Years Of MG Celebrations At Salon Privé London

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The dramatic new MG Cyberster electric sports car will lead celebrations for 100 years of the famous MG brand at this week’s Salon Privé London Royal Hospital Chelsea spectacular, which runs from 18-20 April. It will be one of the first public opportunities to officially see the new car up close, ahead of its official market launch this summer.

The new MG Cyberster is the spiritual successor to the famous MGB Roadster of the 1960s. A two-door, two-seater convertible, its all-electric powertrain takes MG into its second century in head-turning style. The Chelsea showcase is particularly fitting as the MG Cyberster was designed just a few miles away, at the firm’s London design centre in Marylebone.

Overseen by chief designer Carl Gotham, the MG Cyberster draws from the company’s heritage with a flourish, with key features including a low nose and distinctive rear haunches, plus ultra-modern touches such as a Kammback tail and striking scissor doors.

The new MG Cyberster will be offered in two guises. Even the single motor version produces a fiery 340PS, for 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds – performance the original MGB Roadster could only dream of. The range-topping dual motor all-wheel drive MG Cyberster will produce a ferocious 544PS, for 0-62mph in just 3.2 seconds.

The MG Cyberster in dual-motor all-wheel drive guise will easily become the fastest-accelerating, most powerful production car ever to have worn the iconic MG badge.

Even the choice of colours will be evocative. The vivid Dynamic Red launch colour will be joined by New English White – a contemporary interpretation of Old English White – plus Camden Grey and Cosmic Silver. There will also be a premium option, an intense Inca Yellow.

“Like the original MGB Roadster of the 60s, the MG Cyberster is a two-door, two-seater convertible with a design inspired by MG’s sporting history,” said Guy Pigounakis, MG Motor UK commercial director. “However, its fully electric drivetrain and high-tech interior marks a new era for the brand and is a figurehead for the next generation of electric motoring.

“Salon Privé is the perfect setting to introduce the MG Cyberster to a wider audience and allow guests to closer inspect our halo model. We’re looking forward to being part of this prestigious event and joining some of the world’s greatest marques on display.”

Other attractions at Salon Privé London include a tantalising selection of new cars from the world’s finest manufacturers, and a series of themed days that celebrate 50 years of the Porsche 911 Turbo, Magnificent McLarens, a world record parade of Aston Martin Valkyrie with AMV Owners Club and Supercar Saturday in partnership with SCC Private Members club.

The famous Salon Privé London Concours de Vente – where every classic car being judged is for sale – also returns for its third year, showcasing rare cars from some of the world’s finest dealers. This year’s celebrity judges include Yasmin Le Bon, Amanda Stretton, Edd China and James Elliott, who will decide the class winners and the Prix d’Honneur on Friday. On Saturday, the People’s Choice and Pensioner’s Choice will also be decided, and there will be a special public celebration for the Prix d’Honneur winner.

Naturally, the traditional Salon Privé lifestyle and luxury will be evident throughout the Royal Hospital Chelsea event, with the best in high-end jewellery, boats, helicopters, food and drink plus plenty more to fascinate its elite guests.