Bringing a wave of nostalgia to its vibrant lanes, Kolkata witnessed the 53rd edition of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally on Sunday morning. Approximately 120 retro beauties, in myriad hues on the vibgyor scale, paraded through the city of joy, turning its streets into a delightful trip down the bygone lane once more.

Flagging off from the Eastern Command Stadium at 11 in the morning by Lt Gen. Ram Chandra Tiwari, GOC-in-Chief, Eastern Command, the four and two wheelers covered a route of 14.6 kilometres, touching MG Road Crossing in the north and Ashutosh Mukherjee & Justice Chandra Madhab Street Crossing in the south. A multitude of onlookers and spectators filled the scene, their cheers resonating as the vehicles cruised by.

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On proud exhibit was a 1928 Ford Model T from The Statesman’s collection. Once part of the Editors’ possessions in days of yore, this vintage gem underwent a meticulous restoration courtesy of Rajiv Ghosh.

The vibrant parade of vintage wheels turned heads at the rally, stealing the spotlight like a cast of charismatic characters on a classic cinema screen. Leading the pack was the scarlet 1906 Renault Freres, the rally’s elder statesman, meticulously restored by the trophy-laden Shrivardhan Kanoria. Ananda Chowdhury’s parakeet-green 1913 Gebrüder Stoewer, SK Lahiri’s sleek blue Plymouth, the cherry-red 1963 Triumph Spit Fire 4 once owned by Jackie Shroff, joined the ensemble of automotive stars.

The lineup read like a script of automotive royalty – the elegant Austin Sheerline, the majestic 1921 Rolls Royce, the timeless 1937 Morris, the sleek 1938 Adler, the striking 1923 Panther Sloper and the quirky 1952 Cycle Master. And, let’s not forget the Vespa (which might remind you of Gregory Peck’s ride in Roman Holiday), asserting its presence with charm amidst the timeless allure of classic metal.

Adding to the spectacle, many drivers took the theme to heart, stepping out in period costumes that transported onlookers to the golden age of black and white films. It wasn’t just a rally; it was a living, breathing showcase of history on wheels, where each vehicle played its role with flair and panache.

Talking to The Statesman, Prof (Dr) Ananda Chanda, who has been in the Judges panel for 11 years at the rally, described the parameters of judgement. “There are two categories – Stationary and Mobile section. In the Stationary category, we check for authenticity, the mechanicals, and the coachwork and interiors. In the Mobile section, we assess performance by evaluating whether the vehicle covered all the designated points along the route within the specified time and entered through the designated gate,” he explained.

In attendance were Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, minister of agriculture of West Bengal, expressing gratitude to The Statesman for orchestrating the rally. Maxwell Gaylard, a former Australian diplomat, savoured the rally as a first-time guest. Labelling the event as “lovely”, socio-political activist Chandra Kumar Bose added his accolades to the gathering. The audience got a dose of musical magic, courtesy of Miss Jojo and Ditipriya – performances that turned the stage into a symphony of merriment.

The Judges panel, led by Raja Mukherjee, declared the prizes after a suspenseful period of anticipation. The Statesman Trophy for ‘Best Overall Performance by a Car built between 1940 and 1975’ was bagged by the 1947 Wolseley 14 driven by Vikram Swarup. The Statesman Chairman Trophy for ‘Outstanding Classic Car of Europe Origin 1934-1975’ was won by the Rolls-Royce-driving Shrivardhan Kanoria. The Dainik Statesman Trophy for ‘The rarest Marque on Display/participating was received by the Opel-driving Rajiv Ghosh.

Expressing gratitude, Mr Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman, extended his thanks to the Indian Army, the Kolkata Police, sponsors, judges, participants and spectators for contributing to the success of the 53rd edition of the rally.