[suhaas307]

On a gloomy and overcast Friday evening, the Karnataka Golf Association’s expansive and manicured greens played host to some of the rarest and most desirable vintage and classic automobiles that grace the city of Bengaluru.



Collaborative efforts by the stakeholders, including Godrej Properties and the Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club, and of course, the Golf Club, ensured that “Vintage Friday at the Golf Club” was a resounding success. The largest stakeholders, i.e. the owners and caretakers of these priceless machines, braved through unforgiving Friday evening traffic and endured a brief yet punishing spell of rain to make this rally possible.

For the uninitiated, it was decided by the organizers that the automobiles participating in the event would be segregated basis (1) the countries of origin and (2) the eras during which they were produced.

[suhaas307]

The American origin pre-war and post-war automobiles lined the entrance of the Golf Club’s driving range, flanked on the left by Ford’s pre-war production cars ranging from Ford’s Model A variants including a lovely pick-up version (Model AA) that started America’s love affair with utility vehicles and revolutionized the American automotive market.









Pre-War vintage car enthusiasts were treated to an absolute spectacle in the form of Ford’s range of Model A cars as mentioned previously, including the Ford Model AA with a loading dock flanked by wooden planks.





A beautifully specified black Austin 8 Tourer with a khaki soft top, light cream leather upholstery and matching white wheels stood next to the Model A Fords.



A solitary Willys Jeep stood at the far end of the pre-war vintage car collection.





An Adler Trumph Junior, a 1930s Standard Coventry and a 1938 Standard Flying 12 completed the line-up of pre-war vintage cars.





To the right of the Club’s Driving Range were a series of post-war vehicles that included the fourth generation Chevrolet Belair 4-door sedan from 1959, complete with large wrap-around front and rear windscreens and the iconic teardrop tail lights.





In the esteemed company of the Bel Air also stood a mechanically restored 1946 Studebaker Commander coupe wearing its original paint, complete with all its stars and stripes just as it left the factory right after the war.











Another restored Studebaker, a 1949 Champion sedan, clothed in its period-correct green paint and appropriate brightwork, graced the event.





The Studebakers sandwiched a gorgeous 1956 Dodge Kingsway Delux that had received a fresh coat of paint after it was acquired by its current owner two decades ago.





A dark purple Chevrolet Fleetmaster from the mid-‘40s also made its presence felt, amongst the post-war American vintage machinery.

[suhaas307]

As we sauntered along, we were greeted by noticeably smaller and lighter British sports cars that proved to be a delightful juxtaposition against the large and borderline ostentatious American coupes and sedans of a similar era.







The glory days of the MG automobiles were on full display, as a gaggle of MG TC Sports Tourers from 1946 in their signature paint schemes were present, also accompanied by a yellow Austin Sprite Mark II soft-top sports-tourer from the mid-‘60s and a gorgeous Jaguar Mark II sports tourer wearing trademark British Racing Green paintwork.







Three Morris cars, including a Tiger 1100 and a Minor Series M from the early ‘50s were also present, along with a 1948 Morris 8 E Series.





A Humber Super Snipe Mark I, complete with its serpent horn slithering over the driver’s side fender was amongst the few larger British cars that were present at the rally.





A turquoise blue Hillamn Minx Estate rounded up the collection of British post-war automobiles at the rally.



Representing the Indian post-war classic and vintage car collection at the rally were two beautiful Hindustan Ambassadors, one being a Mark 1 and the other, a Mark 3. A tastefully hot-rodded Premier Padmini was also present, with period correct registration, bronzed alloy wheels and Hella rallye auxiliary headlights.





A beautiful black Citroen CV11 Traction Avant from 1947 was the only French car present at the rally.





Incidentally, the owner of this gorgeous post-war vintage Citroen mentioned that this particular example happens to be one of the few Citroens that were manufactured in India and specifically for the Indian domestic market. A fine example that has been restored and lovingly maintained by its enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner.

[suhaas307]

Amongst the Italian cars present at the Club was a Fiat Delight 1200 that could easily pass off as a Padmini to the untrained eye.



However, a very red and very low-slung Fiat 1200 convertible sports car was also present, effortlessly encompassing the very definition of the phrase “red blooded Italian sports car”.



Needless to say, this seemingly hot-rodded Fiat convertible would not get confused for anything else.

No vintage and classic car rally would be complete without a Volkswagen Beetle, and there were four of them present at this rally!



With due respect to the other Beetles present at the show, the one that stood out the most was the gorgeous Super Beetle convertible / speedster, with its chopped / lowered windscreen and go-fast silhouette.





Accompanying the Beetles were two examples of a Volkswagen Microbus Bay Window from the early ‘70s.



Another prominent Volkswagen present at the rally was a mid-late ‘60s Karmann Ghia.





The Karmann Ghia is Volkswagen’s 2nd mass-production car after the Beetle, and their first 2+2 coupe sports car. The original Karmann Ghia is widely regarded as one of the cars that helped inspire and eventually spawn the design and production of the early Porsche 911.



The show-stopper that graced the Golf Club’s driving range was undoubtedly the late ‘80s champagne-gold Porsche 944 Turbo.







The Porsche 944 Turbo was the spiritual successor of the late-Seventies / early-Eighties Porsche 924, and remains one of only four transaxle Porsche variants developed by the company during this period.



The 944 Turbo was well ahead of its time and is widely regarded as one of the best handling sports cars ever developed by any automobile manufacturer.



This pristine example appears to have been lovingly taken care of by its current owner and sports the extremely desirable speedline-style of split-rim wheels that are iconic to this car and the brand in general.



Porsche’s neighbours back in Stuttgart, Mercedes Benz, were also represented at the rally, through a range of sedans, including a W123 280, a W201 190d from the ‘80s-‘90s, a 219 ‘Ponton’ from the late ‘50s and a gorgeous black 220SWB with the most scrumptious red leather upholstery and door cards.







While the Ponton is the stand-out example amongst the Mercedes cars present, our hearts fluttered for the beautiful and perfectly specified 220SWB.



Rounding off the collection of post-war German cars was a delicious DKW Auto Union 1000 SS wearing period-correct blue paintwork.







The Auto Union 1000 SS was one of the last production luxury compact cars produced by DKW Auto Union before the brand was acquired by Volkswagen which subsequently resurrected the dormant Audi brand.

[suhaas307]

Those that prefer the two-wheeled variety were also treated to a small yet interesting line-up of motorcycles and scooters.

















A few of the more notable exhibits were a blue Vespa 150 complete with a wicker-basket mounted on its derrière, a cream coloured Vespa 150, two Lambrettas from the ‘60s and ‘70s respectively - both LL150 in two-tone paint schemes, a Rajdoot Yamaha RD350 from 1987 and a couple of Royal Enfields including a 1967 Bullet with a matching sidecar to name a few.

Admittedly, the turn-out for this event was underwhelming. However, a special thank-you ought to be extended to each and every single vintage and classic vehicle owner who strive to uphold the rich heritage and legacies of these wonderful automobiles, while keeping the flames of their torches burning bright in the face of impending adversities.

[KarthikK]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[dass]

Wonderful nostalgic pictures.

Are these shows open to general public? How does one get notified of these happening around the city in advance? I have my workspace in the vicinity and yet had no inclination that something like this was happening right around the corner

[RT13]

Gorgeous! A few weeks ago, I was at the vet when these were being carefully ferried down the road. I figured KGA was hosting a big rally but couldn’t get details at the time and then it completely slipped my mind.

Stunning cars in a perfect setting.

[arun1100]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing, Suhaas!

Originally Posted by dass

Wonderful nostalgic pictures.

Are these shows open to general public? How does one get notified of these happening around the city in advance? I have my workspace in the vicinity and yet had no inclination that something like this was happening right around the corner

Please do follow the Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club's Insta page for regular updates. This event was a private one for members only. However, usually you can gain entry (mainly from security/ privacy perspective) if you enter the event by accompanying any of the members in their cars.

[GreenerPlanet]

Originally Posted by dass

Wonderful nostalgic pictures.

Are these shows open to general public? How does one get notified of these happening around the city in advance?

Same here.

If these events are open to public and publicized atleast a day before, they would bring in large crowds and spectator wise atleast - there would be no complaints of an underwhelming turnout.