Delhi’ites are in for a mesmeric spell as grand old beauties of automobiles are all set to dazzle on the city roads at the 57th edition of The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally to be held on Sunday.

The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally is an annual event that takes place in Delhi and Kolkata. It’s one of the oldest continuously run events in India and the sub-continent. Commenced in 1964 in Delhi, the rally was taken to Kolkata in 1968.

Iconic vintage and classic cars include 1936 Rolls Royce, 1926 Studebaker Erskine, 1906 Renault Freres, 1935 Rytecraft and 1938 Mercedes, 1937 Wolseley, 1932 Baby Austin, 1938 Adler,1937 Dodge, 1929 Austin 7 Tourer, 1919 Citroen Torpedo, 1913 Stoewer, 1912 Standard Coventry and many others.

Over 140 vehicles are participating in the 57th edition of The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally. The major attractions of the event are an assembly of vintage and classic cars, followed by a drive through the city where cars are assessed for originality and performance on the road section, a display of period and fancy dress, a grand parade, and live music.

Rolls Royce, Bentley, the 1914 John Morris fire engine, owned by the Rail Museum, smaller vintage and classic cars, and outstation cars will be among the other highlights of this year’s event.

The rally will be flagged off from The Statesman House at the heart of the National Capital at Barakhamba Road at 10:30 am. Soon after, the participating vintage and classic cars will head to JP Hospital, Greater Noida via Mahamaya underbridge and then will take a U-turn to reach the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium near India Gate at 12 pm. The prize distribution ceremony will be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 3 pm.

Owners of the vehicles eagerly await the Rally every year as it gives them a unique opportunity to drive their well-maintained machines of the bygone era on modern roads.

The Rally will open a window for the people of the National Capital to get a glimpse of an enchanting era through vintage automobiles.

The people of Delhi could witness scores of four-wheeler engineering marvels displaying their graceful grandeur while cruising along the roads of their city and its suburbs. The entire occasion will be a feast for the eyes of car enthusiasts and vintage automobile lovers.

Speaking during the second day of the prejudging session on Saturday, Aniruddha Mittra, chief marshal from the panel of judges of the Rally, said, “Over 140 vehicles will be participating in the Rally this year.”

These vehicles are categorised as vintage, classic, post-war, and others, he added.

He said Marmon (1927) and Oakland (1927) are both rare cars that will be participating in the Rally.