The Season Of Cars Begins!
Images: Ambreen Hossain
Winter and its Sundays go well together, like croissants and hot chocolate. You have an entire day to relax and, most importantly, a morning to rise late… unless you are an automotive enthusiast. For us in Calcutta, winter in January means the arrival of astonishing events on Sundays.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_01](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/1--POV-you-re-a-in-1951-Mercury-Sports-Sedan-.jpg)
At 6am last Sunday, I woke up to an unusual honk! An ahooga or the Klaxon honk, of course! I got ready and ended up in the back of a shiny car.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_02](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/2--A-luxurious-line-up-1.jpg)
It was the 22nd of January at Calcutta Rowing Club, where several epitomes of beauty were lined up for the Automotive Association of Eastern India's Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023. AAEI (Automotive Association of Eastern India) is a 119-year-old automobile association that regularly organizes events like this every year.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/3--There-was-joy-and-excitement-on-the-faces-of-the-participants-1.jpg)
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/4-There-was-joy-and-excitement-on-the-faces-of-the-participants-1.jpg)
This time it was 2023's first vintage and classic automobile event. Everyone was excited and intrigued. At the event, each and every car and bike looked nothing less than a piece of art. People seemed to have a variety of emotions on their faces; some were happy, some were tense, some were proud, some excited, and some were just sleepy.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_03](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/5--Lets-Set-Flag-Off-.jpg)
At around 9:30am, the flag-off was made, followed by an appreciation call from the event announcer respectively to every participating vehicle, which resulted in a very cheerful atmosphere. I heard the engine revving with the sweetest tuning, honks not so rhythmic yet gratifying. Some seamless, some loud, but perfect balance was maintained in our town.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_04](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/6-James-Villiers-1936--runner-up-in-the-vintage-bike-category-.jpg)
We experienced the aura of automobilia to the utmost level that Sunday. The cars and bikes, unique and ‘rare amongst the rarest’, were a part of this event, among which bikes with hand gear and tappet rocker shafts like the James and Panther Sloper also took part in this rally.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_05](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/7-Panther-Slopers-s-tappet-rocker-shaft.jpg)
Luxury cars with handsome and beautiful looks, enough to turn your heads, such as the Studebaker President 8 state limousine of 1928, Austin Big 7 of 1928, and Rolls-Royce 20/25 of 1936 were in the vintage category.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_06](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/8-Triumph-1963-Spitfire-surrounded-by-enthusiasts-of-various-age.jpg)
Among the classics, Mercury Sport Sedan of 1951 with exclusive Lincoln styling, the Wolseley 14/60 of 1948, Triumph 1963 Spitfire in red, Chevy's 1947 Fleet Master, a couple of Morris cars, and a variety of compact classic Fiats participated in this rally, along with other beauties.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_07](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/9--A-classic-beast-from-the-year-1951-Mercury-Sport-Sedan.jpg)
Every participant had to follow a particular route in order to complete the rally and come back to the CRC (Calcutta Rowing Club). A day prior to this scrutiny, an inspection was done in order to judge on various aspects like maintenance, originality, restoration, et cetera.
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_08](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/10-1947-Chevrolet-Fleet-Master.jpg)
Later in the evening, at around 6pm, the prize distribution was executed, followed by some appetizing dinner arrangements. Every participant went back home with a happy face and great enthusiasm for the upcoming automobile rallies.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/11--compact-family-car--Fiat-Millicento-1.jpg)
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/12-variety-of-fiats-1.jpg)
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/13---To-be-a-navigator--one-must-stay-calm-and-be-quick-at-the-same-time---Ambreen.jpg)
I personally really enjoy such eventful Sundays with friends and family. It's a perfect time to catch up with people of the same interest; therefore, I am looking forward to being a part of upcoming automotive events in Calcutta! Till then, vrooom! Ciao…
![AAEI_Kolkata vintage and classic car & bike rally 2023_09](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/01/14--vrooooom--Adios.jpg)
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