AGRA, Feb 7: With the rumble of their powerful engines, and their shining chrome adding glitter to a pleasant Saturday, the Maharanis of the auto- world that ruled the roads in the past, lined up at the Modern School in the heart of the city for the final day of the pre-judging event on the eve of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally’s 59th edition.
The shining sun and the pleasant weather added to the enthusiasm of the participants and also the visitors who had come to witness the cars, while, around a hundred vintage and classic cars of different types arrived for the pre-judging that included American classics like the Ford Mustang, Lincoln, luxury ride of the yesteryears Packard, and others like the Oldsmobile.
Exclusive wheels also included the Bentleys, Rolls Royce Boat Tail, which used to be the choice of the royals back in the day.
Popular cars like the Chevrolet Impala, the old Land Rovers, Willys Jeep and several roadsters, also arrived, leaving the visitors awestruck, while many took pictures with the beauties of the yesteryears.
Sharing his thoughts about the event, a participant said that the annual event, The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally is something that the car collectors and the enthusiasts eagerly wait for, and start preparations months ahead of the rally.
Judges in the pre-judging event properly inspected all the components, condition of the engines, the restoration quality of the cars, and the authenticity of the works done.
Some of the finest and rare set of wheels that caught eyeballs on Saturday included the several Mercedes models that were the choice of the affluent people in the ’70s and the 1980s.
Volkswagen Beetle, Studebaker, Fiat and some other classics added more flavor to the event. The judges had to speed up the process of inspection with cars waiting in queue, with participants all geared up for the rally on Sunday.
Interestingly, the judges on the occasion are those who have had a long association with the rally, as well as automobile experts, who specialise in the vintage and classic car domain. They checked minute bits about the cars, with attention to every detail, with all the knowledge, which in itself is a unique thing.
Participating vehicles are judged on various parameters, with points for the condition of their engines, body, restoration, original condition, and other aspects like instrumentation, wheels, tyres and the chassis. Every point counts, as it eventually adds up in the race to winning the prizes under different categories.
As per the format defined and structured by the judges, these parameters carry points, with more stress on the actual running condition of the vehicle, and its mechanical status.
One of the experienced judges, Gyan Sharma said that several rare and distinctive cars will be taking part in the rally this year. He appreciated the hard work and efforts put in by the owners, participants for maintaining the cars.
According to an expert, these cars are not just vehicles, but a part of automobile heritage. They are living examples of how people use to drive around in the past, when the technology was not that advanced and so many factors used to come into play regarding automobile maintenance, before things turned hi- tech.
Participants shared light moments with each other, recounting experiences while their cars were being inspected, a day ahead of the rally when they would drive together on the course set for the event.
(UNI)
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