[GTO]

This weekend, Osianama will be launching 2 clubs - One for Vintage & Classic Cars, the other on Indian & World Cinema.

Initiatives will include events, exhibitions, discussions, master classes and seminars. The launch of the Club augurs a series of events in Mumbai, which will be followed by those in New Delhi and Bangalore, wherein automotive authorities will be invited for lectures and discussions on specific subjects related to the history, design & collections of vintage & classic automobiles planned in conjunction with exhibitions of rare photographs, paintings, prints and other artifacts.

The opening event this Saturday will include discussions on diverse topics, amongst which is French automotive coach building from the Pre-War period, its pre-eminence then, and why it lost its importance in the post-war situation as well as the shift of design leadership from France to Italy, and Italian design dominance after WWII.

Broadly, the topics of focus would be: From Citroen to Fiat, from Delahaye to Ferrari: how and why the leadership in automotive design passed from France to Italy.

• Saturday, 24th January is the Auto event from 10 am to 6 pm at Liberty Cinema (a beautifully preserved art deco delight) Mumbai.

• Speakers include Tom Tjaarda, Richard Adatto and Jean-Paul Tissot
Tom is a superstar in the world of design, with a couple of Ferraris, a Fiat, a Mercedes and De Tomaso to his credit, besides many many others (more info). Richard Adatto is a world renowned expert of pre-war French cars and author of many books on the subject. Jean-Paul Tissot is an authority of Delahaye cars, and author of many books on the subject.

• The star car on display is the 1939 Delahaye 135MS coming down specially from Jodhpur.

• A host of other French & Italian cars will be on display, including the 1932 Lancia Special (with racing history) and 1980 Ferrari 308.

• Panel discussions will include local collectors.

• Want to attend? Drop your details at rsvp@osianama.com. Liberty Cinema has 1200 seats, so there's enough room for enthusiasts.

Pics of the Delahaye and Lancia (Photo credit to Makarand Baokar):

[kasli]

Great and wish them success for the endeavour . much desired in our circles of a club which is more into the aspect of other things than events and tin collection.

Cheers

[ClassicStanley]

I am in India on my first visit and will be in the city on 24 January! would like to try to make this event and network a bit. How do I get an invitation? Thank you in advance for any help. What Lancia special is this? I don't recognise it at all as a model such a a Augusta, Aprillia, etc which is what was being made in the 30s. Is it one of the speakers cars?

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by ClassicStanley

I am in India on my first visit and will be in the city on 24 January! would like to try to make this event and network a bit. How do I get an invitation?

As regards to the invitation:
Drop your details at rsvp@osianama.com. Liberty Cinema has 1200 seats, so there's enough room for enthusiasts.

The Lancia is owned by a certain Distinguished BHPian.

[KPS]

Great to see that Karl is a Panel Member in one of the discussions. Wish him all the best.

This should be a nice event

Cheers

KPS

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by ClassicStanley

I am in India on my first visit and will be in the city on 24 January! would like to try to make this event and network a bit. How do I get an invitation? Thank you in advance for any help. What Lancia special is this? I don't recognise it at all as a model such a a Augusta, Aprillia, etc which is what was being made in the 30s. Is it one of the speakers cars?

As FINTAIL said, just drop a quick confirmation email to rsvp address, and you're good to go. Feel free to email/PM me for further questions. Looking forward to seeing you.

The Lancia is probably Astura based, as advised by marque experts although there are conflicting opinions. The car was raced in period, which is probably when it got this sporty body.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by ClassicStanley

I am in India on my first visit and will be in the city on 24 January! would like to try to make this event and network a bit. How do I get an invitation?

I'm pretty sure you can drop in directly at the venue. The more classic car enthusiasts in the audience, the better.

[Bulldogji]

Originally Posted by GTO

I'm pretty sure you can drop in directly at the venue. The more classic car enthusiasts in the audience, the better.

It promises to be interesting, but a wrong choice of date. Most people I know are out of town, this being a long weekend.

Liberty has a huge seating capacity, I hope they manage to fill it somewhat, looks bad for the speakers otherwise.

They also should have been more inclusive and spoken to enthusiasts well in advance.

And finally, formation of another club??

Expect more politics, but hopefully more events also, not just drives within the dusty lanes of our once beautiful city

All the best to Neville and his team, they are treading in dangerous waters hope they stay afloat.

[the mole]

Superb Initiative! Unfortunately being on a long weekend made some plans well in advance. More of such events are needed and I can think of no other jewel in the art deco crown of Mumbai which is more appropriate location than Liberty cinema. Don't miss this event guys!

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

It promises to be interesting, but a wrong choice of date. Most people I know are out of town, this being a long weekend.

Liberty has a huge seating capacity, I hope they manage to fill it somewhat, looks bad for the speakers otherwise.

They also should have been more inclusive and spoken to enthusiasts well in advance.

And finally, formation of another club??

Expect more politics, but hopefully more events also, not just drives within the dusty lanes of our once beautiful city

All the best to Neville and his team, they are treading in dangerous waters hope they stay afloat.

Yes, the long weekend is definitely a problem for many.

This isn't going to be a car club in the normal sense. The idea of this club is to encompass all cultural facets, auto is but one of nine proposed divisions. Other divisions include cinema, fine arts, books and poetry, photography, architectural heritage and more. The focus of the auto division will be more towards masterclasses, lectures, automotive themed film screenings and so on. If done right, it can potentially be very enjoyable for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject. If done right

[the mole]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Yes, the long weekend is definitely a problem for many.

This isn't going to be a car club in the normal sense. The idea of this club is to encompass all cultural facets, auto is but one of nine proposed divisions. Other divisions include cinema, fine arts, books and poetry, photography, architectural heritage and more. The focus of the auto division will be more towards masterclasses, lectures, automotive themed film screenings and so on. If done right, it can potentially be very enjoyable for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject. If done right

Karl may I suggest one thing! Make a calendar for the year and release it well in advance. You will certainly see the attendance going up for future events. All the best to you and your team and personally for your stint on stage

[kasli]

Some of the snaps of the cars present . An interesting concept which was attended by a few BHPians while I stopped by in the morning and later in the day . Managed to click a few snaps which I am posting
Cheers

[GTO]

Excerpts from the press release:

Osianama launches its Vintage and Classic Automotive Club at Liberty Cinema in Mumbai, an initiative to bring the world of automotive ‘cultural treasures’ to both, connoisseurs and students in the form of events, exhibitions, discussions, master classes and seminars. Automotive authorities across India and leaders in the fields of classic automotive design, history and restoration, were invited for Master Classes, Lectures and Panel Discussions along with a major display of French and Italian classic cars from the 1930-40s such as Lancia, Delahaye, Delage, Citroen and from the 1980-90s such as Ferrari, Lamborghini & Fiat.

These cars were displayed at the forecourt of the cinema. Complementing this display was an exposition of photographs, paintings, prints and other artifacts of French and Italian cars, along with a small but noteworthy selection of scale model cars.

Speaking on these issues were Karl Bhote (Moderator Karlosdeville ), Tom Tjaarda, Richard Adatto, Jean-Paul Tissot, Gautam Sen, Prof. Kirti Trivedi, Tarun Thakral, Fali Dhondy, Cyrus Gandhi, Dalip Singh, Behram Ardeshir and Neville Tuli.

Cars on display:

• 1919 Citroën Type A The first car that André Citroën manufactured following assembly line technology inspired by the Ford Model T. This car dates from 1919, Citroën’s first year of production

• 1934 Citroën Traction Avant 11CV (Designed by Flaminio Bertoni ) - Besides other technological innovations, the Traction Avant’s trend setting unitary construction soon set the standard for body construction techniques. This car dates from 1946.

• 1934 Citroën Traction Avant 15/6 (Designed by Flaminio Bertoni ) - The design of the Traction Avant was such that modulability was possible which allowed for a more powerful upmarket version featuring a relatively powerful six cylinder engine and a more elaborate and better equipped bodywork. This car manufactured at Citroën’s UK facilities dates from 1954.

• 1933 Bentley 3½ Litre (Coachwork by Antem) - As the norm of the time, luxury automobiles would be delivered in chassis form to a coachbuilder of choice for a body to be specified to the client’s taste. This example is constructed by French coachbuilder Antem – one of only two Bentleys from the firm. This particular car was displayed new at the Paris Salon of 1935.

• 1936 Delahaye 135MS (Designed by Joseph Figoni of Figoni et Falaschi) - Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever built, the Figoni et Falaschi coachbuilt Delahayes represented the pinnacle of pre-war French luxury cars. This car dates from 1939, and is one of five survivors out of a total production run of just 11 cars.

• 1932 Lancia Special Rebodied in period for competition. This particular car dating from 1932 has a storied racing history from Calcutta.

• 1938 Fiat 500 Topolino A (Designed by Dante Giacosa ) - Widely regarded as Giacosa’s finest work, the Topolino was designed as an austere affordable small car for the masses. This particular car is from the first year of production.

• 1957 Fiat Nuova 500 (Designed by Dante Giacosa ) - The new or nuova 500 didn’t follow a logical path of evolution from the initial Topolino, with its powertrain relocated to the rear. This car dates from 1961.

• 1957 Fiat Nuova 500 (Designed by Dante Giacosa ) - This car dates from 1971.

• 1955 Fiat 600 (Designed by Dante Giacosa ) - The 600 was a logical upgrade for a consumer looking for a more upscale and roomier alternative to the 500, but retaining its core strengths. This car dates from 1963.

• 1953 Fiat 1100 103 (Designed by Dante Giacosa ) - Launched as an all new car in 1953, the new 1100 was designed to be an ideal mid-sized family car, which evolved to become one of India’s most popular car for decades. This car dates from 1955.

• 1956 Fiat 1100 103 E (Designed by Dante Giacosa ) - Model refreshes every two to three years was already common place, with cosmetic changes introduced to differentiate the car from the previous model year. This car dates from 1957.

• 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT 1300 Junior (Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone ) - One of the iconic designs of the 1960s, the Giulia coupe was one of the most successful coachbuilt series production car designed and built by coachbuilder Bertone. This car dates from 1967.

• 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1750 GTV (Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone ) - The same body style had different powertrains and the more powerful versions are more desirable today. This car was one of the quickest coupes of that period. This car dates from 1969.

• 1966 Fiat 124 Spider (Designed by Tom Tjaarda at Pininfarina ) - Another brilliant coachbuilt special from the 1960s, this was based on the relatively conservative Fiat 124 sedan. A timeless design, the car remained in production for almost two decades. This car dates from 1980.

• 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB (Designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina ) - Ferrari’s best selling car at time of production, the 308 GTB was trendsetting in featuring a mid-engined V8 which became the mainstay of Ferrari’s portfolio for the next many years. This car dates from 1980.

[GTO]

Pictures from the press release:

[GTO]

Pictures from the press release: