Tag: events

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

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.

First Iconic Classic Entrants Revealed For Germany’s First Truly International Concours of Elegance

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The countdown to the Concours of Elegance Germany starts, with event set to commence in just under 150 days. Home to the world’s most revered and historic motoring brands, the first truly international Concours of Elegance will open with its Bavarian Tour on 22 July, with 25 stunning cars embarking on a meticulously curated four-day exploration of the very best that Bavaria has to offer.

Presented by prestigious German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne, Concours of Elegance Germany will build on the success of the prestigious Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace and the London Concours events, welcoming an exquisite array of automobiles to Gut Kaltenbrunn on the shores of Lake Tegernsee from 22-27 July 2024.

Among the cars on display will be truly exceptional examples of the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB4 and the 1967 AC Frua. Designed by Pininfarina and constructed by Scaglietti, two icons of the Italian automotive industry, there were just 156 right-hand drive models of the GTB4 ever made. Fusing US V8 horsepower and Italian styling, the AC Frua was also made in remarkably small numbers, with just 29 convertibles leaving the production line.

Detailed arrangements for the spectacular new international event continue at pace, with many more of the world’s rarest and finest collectible cars to be announced in the coming weeks.

Concours of Elegance Germany has already secured a line-up of prestigious partnerships that will contribute the extraordinary event. RM Sotheby’s, the esteemed Official Auction Partner, has confirmed that it will hold a highly anticipated sale on 27 July at the exquisite Gut Kaltenbrunn. Hospitality will be provided throughout the event by Official Hospitality Partner, Käfer – Germany’s most renowned purveyor of food and beverages.

Classic Driver, the German-founded platform, will serve as the Official Digital Media Partner, providing extensive coverage of the Concours of Elegance Germany across various digital and social channels. Automotive & Collectibles Media Partner, Octane Germany, will contribute comprehensive coverage in print, capturing the essence of the event from the run-up to the final moments. These partnerships, along with several others, underscore the significance of Concours of Elegance Germany, promising an unforgettable showcase of automotive excellence at Lake Tegernsee. In upcoming weeks, several other partners to the concours will be revealed.

Head of the event’s Hospitality Partner, Michael Käfer, commented: “We are truly thrilled to be supporting and hosting the internationally renowned Concours of Elegance in Germany, where the world’s biggest automotive collectors can congregate against the stunning backdrop of Lake Tegernsee. The event will be a celebration of the rare and exceptional, showcasing some of the world’s most elusive collectible cars. All of us at Käfer are very much looking forward to welcoming enthusiasts to witness a truly unforgettable showcase of automotive beauty and elegance, celebrated in true Bavarian style here at Gut Kaltenbrunn.”