The classic car drive from Delhi to Karnal was a glorious spectacle of masterpieces on wheels

It was nostalgia evoked on NH 44 with 30 vintage cars and rare bikes rolling down the 140-km stretch from Delhi to Karnal. The classic car drive was organised by the Heritage Motoring Club of India, Delhi, in association with Noormahal Palace Hotel, Karnal

About three dozen classic beauties on two and four wheels evoked nostalgia on the National Highway 44 between Delhi and Karnal on October 19.

As part of the second edition of the classic car drive organised by Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI) and Noormahal Palace Hotel, Karnal, old cars and rare bikes that are seldom seen in public, were pulled out of their garages, painting a pretty picture through the 140-kilometre route on the Grand Trunk Karnal Road, via Sonepat, Panipat and Murthal.

Owners from across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Noida showcased their vintage grit at the wheel, says Diljeet Titus, the president of HMCI. Last year, the car drive was held in July and the monsoon rains had its share of fun and charm for the dozen participants. This year, the number was more than double with 30 participants.

There were 20 restored cars, all dated pre-1970, bringing back treasured memories of another era. The glorious spectacle included a 1919 Citroen Roadster, the only model seen in India. It belongs to Kaleem Khan from Jamia, whose family has been running a car restoration workshop in Nizamuddin since 1948.

My father bought the car in a scrap condition from a Nawab’s family in Bareilly 15 years ago. There is a charm in restoring old cars,” says the third-generation restorer, who has 35 antique cars including a 1925 Chevrolet. In the past three years, Kaleem took the 1919 Citroen to a few rallies in Delhi and Gurugram. This time, he drove the small convertible two-seater single-door sports car of yore for pure enjoyment. “The 105-year-old beauty cruised at 40kilometres/hour with a service car following it as this was one of its longest drives,” he adds.

“Automobiles are a world of passionate experts, and for all our members, classic old cars define design, character and heritage,” says Diljeet. “The idea behind the long drive was to raise awareness and sensitise the public about the importance and value of heritage. People are drawn to everything new and modern, but they should not forget to appreciate and be proud of the old things,” he adds.

Every vehicle has a story to tell. Diljeet took his 1938 Buick which was earlier owned by the Travancore royal family, and later, by Kunnath Ayyath Balakrishna Menon’s family, the producers of India’s first indigenous car, Aravind. Two decades ago, Diljeet’s father bought the run-down Buick from a rubber plantation owner in Thiruvananthapuram and restored it.