The Weekend That Was!

Images: Deepanjan Sarkar

Those who know, know that in the recent past, the City of Joy—as Calcutta is called—has seen a bit of a revival in the historic vehicles movement. A few years ago, proud owners would yank off the covers of their grand old ladies, get them done up till they were in tip-top shape for the once-a-year event that was The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally.

Nowadays, the wheeled beauties from the grand old years of motoring need not wait for a full 364 days for the planet to go around the Sun before they see the light of day. There are several club events or drive-outs that pepper the driving season that lasts from around mid-November to early March. Perhaps the only thing that was missing from the calendar was a Concours D’Elegance in the same style and grandeur as the Cartier Concours or the 21 Gun Salute events. Well, not anymore. On March 13 this year the beautiful grounds of Calcutta’s Lake Club played host to the city’s first ever The Lake Club – EIMG Concours D’Elegance in association with Ace Commercial 2022.

Organised by the Eastern India Motoring Group or EIMG and led very ably from the front by the group’s founder and president, renowned restorer Shrivardhan Kanoria, the event saw a lovely gathering of nearly 80 motorcars and motorcycles from different decades, spanning nearly three quarters of the world’s automotive history, beginning with the 1913 Stoewer.

At over 108 years old, the spic and span Stoewer was judged the Oldest Car of the Show at this ‘By invite only’ event. The collection also included five magnificent Rolls-Royces, a very original 1928 Ford Model A, an immaculate 1932 Ford V8, a pretty rare and very pretty 1926 FIAT and a beautifully restored 1938 Mercedes-Benz which had been brought all the way from Ranchi. The post WWII genre also saw some interesting cars, including a 1964 Ford Anglia, a 1948 Plymouth and a brought-back-from-the-dead 1947 MG TC.

Exotics, however, weren’t the only things on display. Sharing lawn space with the exotics were the more humble Austin Sevens—there were no less than three, at least one Morris Minor, a Standard, a handful of Jeeps and even Indian classics like the Hindustan Ambassador. There was a fine display of motorcycles too, which included a 1940 Triumph, a 1923 Panther Sloper and a 1947 Ariel, among others. Given the sheer variety of automobiles on display and how spruced up they all were, judging was no mean feat.

“Judging the vehicles personally was a very important responsibility, which I undertook, and awarded the deserving vehicles,” said Kanoria, who was also a member of the jury. The Best of the Show was given to the 1938 Rolls-Royce of Gulam Momen while, in a fabulous step towards acknowledging those who have contributed to the cause of historic vehicles in Eastern India, 80 mementos were handed out. The total tally of awards handed out at the end of the event was 29.

What helped immensely though was the sheer enthusiasm and energy that participants brought to the event. Even though the event format was static, with no road section or driving involved, the spirit of healthy competition ensured that each participant did his or her best to make sure his or her vehicle was in a condition worthy of presentation at a show.

As for the event itself, Kanoria himself would like to dedicate it to the memory of his father—the late Shashi Kumar Kanoria, who was also a renowned collector and restorer of historic vehicles. “This event, curated by me, is my contribution to the vintage and classic car fraternity of Eastern India and is definitely dedicated to my father.”

He also thanked The Lake Club for sharing in the enthusiasm of the owners and participants in coming forward with a wonderful venue for such a classy event, which was followed by a gala dinner hosted by Delhi’s renowned collector Diljeet Titus.

With the curtains closing on the Concours D’Elegance 2022, the season for enjoying the company of these grand old ladies of Calcutta comes to a close, as we head into the heat of summer to be followed by the inevitable humidity of the monsoons. None of which, however, will dampen our spirits as we prepare already for the Concours D’Elegance 2023. Until then!

Winners’ List