Wheels of Time: The EIMG Concours d’Elégance 2025 in Kolkata
Text & Images: Ambreen Hossain
On a serene winter Sunday, January 12, 2025, Kolkata’s Lake Club played host to an impressive historic vehicle event as the Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) presented the fourth edition of its Concours d’Elégance. With 90 well-restored historic vehicles on display, this year’s event showcased some very fine automobiles, cars, and motorcycles with delightful motoring histories.
The concours brought together a nice array of cars and two-wheelers, competing across multiple categories for 39 trophies. Vehicles were judged based on criteria such as authenticity, quality of restoration, historical significance, and rarity. Topping the list was the coveted ‘Best of Show’ title, awarded to a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe owned by S. K. Lahiri.
The Lake Club provided the perfect stage for this automotive spectacle. Its picturesque setting and seamless organisation, thanks to the efforts of club President Tamal Mukherjee, Joint Secretaries Subrata Guha and Debabrata Dutta, and other committee members, created a vibrant yet dignified ambiance. Intricate hoardings celebrating automotive heritage and meticulous arrangements contributed to the event’s success.
As EIMG Secretary Subhajit Kumar remarked: “The collaboration between EIMG and The Lake Club has become an integral part of vintage motoring culture in Eastern India, ensuring these magnificent vehicles remain celeb rated and cherished.”
The competition categories spanned several eras and styles, from pre-1930 vehicles to post-war classics. Each entrant brought its own slice of history, with unique design elements and restoration stories that spoke volumes about the passion of their owners.
A 1928 Ford Model A owned by Surendra Kumar Dugar won Best in Class for Vintage Cars Built Up to 1930, standing out for its impressive restoration and period accuracy.
A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 HP owned by the Karnani Family won Best in Class for cars built between 1931 and 1940 in the Pre-War Luxury category, thanks to its regal presence and painstakingly detailed restoration.
The highlight of the show was a remarkable line-up of eight Rolls-Royces, which captivated attendees with their elegance and timeless beauty. The line-up spanned several decades, showcasing the evolution of Rolls-Royce craftsmanship, with each model telling a unique story of luxury, performance, and timeless elegance.
The lineup featured a bespoke 1938 25/30 Rolls-Royce with half steering wheel design, highlighting the handcrafted details and chrome accents that left onlookers in awe.
A 1948 Buick Super 8, owned by Tamalika Naha, emerged as Best in Class among vehicles built from 1941 to 1950 in the Post-War Icons category, showcasing the streamlined elegance of late-1940s American design.
A 1961 Ambassador Mark I, owned by Baladev Mazumdar, was honoured as Best in Class for Indian Heritage cars, an important reminder of the nation’s motoring past.
This year’s event also shone a spotlight on two-wheelers, which often represent a more accessible yet equally significant part of motoring history.
A 1947 Ariel Red Hunter, owned by Harjit Singh Dhanjal, stole the show with its striking design and attentive restoration, while the 1940 Triumph, owned by Terrence Lobo, secured Second in Class. The 1936 James, owned by M.A. Moin, rounded out the podium with a Third in Class.
The Oldest Two-Wheeler Award went to a Panther Sloper, owned by Hossain, which set a high bar for vintage motorcycle enthusiasts given its rarity.
Restoration excellence was another major theme at this year’s Concours. The 1951 Austin A70, owned by Subhojit Ghosh, received the 'Restoration Award', while the 1937 Opel Cabrio, owned by Debaprem Chatterjee, was recognised with the 'Resurrection Award' for bringing a forgotten classic back to life.
Special mentions also went to themed awards such as the 'Sporty Playboy Award' for a 1947 MG TC owned by Himanshu Ajmera, and the 'Epitome of Elegance Award' for a 1946 Bentley Mark VI owned by Azam Monem.
Many of the vehicles on display were reflective of their times. For instance, the 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 HP combined the marque’s legendary craftsmanship with a 4.25-litre straight-six engine, delivering both luxury and comfortable performance. Similarly, the 1948 Buick Super 8 was powered by a trusty inline-eight engine, showcasing advancements in reliability and comfort for the era.
A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180a Ponton, owned by Prithvi Nath Tagore, garnered significant praise for its subtle restoration and meticulous attention to detail. This classic car exemplified the German automaker's transition to a pontoon-style body design, showcasing the refined style and elegance that would become hallmarks of the brand's design language for years to come.
Another standout was the 1992 Ferrari 348 TB, owned by Anish Podder, an iconic representation of Ferrari’s design from 1990s. The 348 TB is powered by a 3.4-litre V8 engine and was known for its aggressive, yet elegant design, with angular lines that gave it a distinctly modern look. It embodied the spirit of 1990s supercars, offering not only performance but also a bold, striking presence on the road.
The event underscored the growing importance of preserving automotive heritage. As Shrivardhan Kanoria, EIMG President, emphasised: “Every vehicle here tells a story, not just of its maker but of an era. Our mission is to keep those stories alive for generations to come.”
The EIMG Concours d’Elégance 2025 was more than a celebration of vintage automobiles; it was a tribute to the passion, dedication and craftsmanship that keep the wheels of history turning. As the historic cars and motorcycles rolled out of the Lake Club under the golden glow of the evening sun, one thing was certain – Kolkata’s motoring heritage continues to thrive with passion and precision.