The Lake Club/ Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) Concours D Elegance 2024 was held in the city with great enthusiasm. More than 100 Vintage, Classic and Indian Heritage Cars and two wheelers took part in the show that was held in Lake Club.

Both club members and car enthusiasts gathered at the venue to appreciate the beauty, elegance and impeccable maintenance of the old beauties. Eight vintage Rolls Royce cars added glamour and beauty to the show. Four Rolls Royce of Mr Shrivardhan Kanoria, curator of EIMG, two of which are more than a century old, attracted huge crowd. They are a 1923 built Rolls Royce 20 HP and 1925 make Rolls Royce Phantom I while the other two are 99 year old 1926-make Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and 1938-make Rolls Royce 25/30. Mr Kanoria said the sole purpose to organise the show is to inspire the owners to maintain their prized possession.

“ The owners of old are coming to the show and winning prizes and this is encouraging to maintain their vehicles in the best way possible. You do not find a single car that has not been properly maintained,” he said adding earlier The Statesman used to organize The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally which is an annual event.

As there are 4/5 shows every year, the car owners get more enthusiasm to look after their vehicles the best way they can.” It is interesting to note that vintage and classic cars are attracting more younger people many of whom do not own vehicles but attend the shows regularly and have amassed knowledge about the old cars. Vintage cars are parts of history and they are maintained meticulously across the globe.

The Shashi Kanoria Memorial Trophy, best of show went to a Rolls Royce owned by Mr Avik Naha. The Sanjay Ghosh Memorial Trophy, second of the show went to 1948 make Plymouth Deluxe owned by Mr SK Lahiri. This car was used by famous singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay for many years. These two trophies have been named after two of the finest car restorers in Bengal, Shahi Kanoria and Sanjay Ghosh who had died some years ago.

The Momen Sahab Memorial trophy, third best of the show went to Mr Rajiv Ghosh, owner of Ford V8. The oldest car on display was a Stoewer owned by Mr Rajiv Ghosh. Mr Saurjya Prasad Mitra won the prize for best restoration for his 1937 Ford 7W 10. Mr Nitin Shrestha won the best in category for his 1937 Ariel motor cycle. Altogether 38 prizes were given. The judging was done by Mr Shrivardhan Kanoria and his Concours Restoration team.