Spectacular journey into the past: 55th Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally

11 January Kolkata witnessed a spectacular journey into the past as The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally celebrated its 55th edition at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Polo Grounds. On a bright Sunday morning, the city turned back the clock nearly a century, with more than 150 vintage and classic cars and motorcycles gracing its streets. Flagged off at 9:15 a.m. by Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command, the rally covered a 30-kilometre route from the Turf Club grounds through Shovabazar Grey Street crossing to Harish Mukherjee Road in south Kolkata. Pedestrians were enthralled as the timeless automotive masterpieces rolled past, transforming the cityscape into a living museum of motoring heritage.

The rally once again proved to be a landmark event for car and bike enthusiasts, offering not only a glimpse of Kolkata’s motoring legacy but also opportunities for photographs and close encounters with the vehicles. Dr Ananda Chanda hosted the event with enthusiasm, introducing each car as it set off, supported by crew members from The Statesman House. Adding to the festive spirit, the Nosey-Posey Crew ~ Suraj, Dipjyoti, and Madhurima ~ entertained the crowd with clown acts and humour. Among the standout vehicles was Ananda Chowdhury’s parakeet-green 1913 Gebrüder Stoewer, the oldest car in the rally. It was closely followed by SK Lahiri’s 1948 sapphire-blue Plymouth, fondly known as ‘Neelu’, and Anwesha Dutta’s 1963 Triumph. Other notable entries included the 1923 Panther Sloper, the 1940 Triumph 3HW, and several other rare beauties.

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Motorcycles also drew admiration, with the 1936 James Villiers, 1956 Vespa, 1951 Matchless, 1969 Jawa, and the iconic 1972 Rajdoot sharing the spotlight. Classic cars such as the 1985 Range Rover, 1989 Mercedes, 1987 Land Rover, and 1986 Mercedes-Benz added to the nostalgic spectacle. For many onlookers, seeing these vehicles on Kolkata’s streets was akin to reliving cherished memories, with cameras capturing every moment. Participants dressed in period costumes ~ sarees, umbrellas, and Victorian attire ~ added a surreal charm to the event, enhancing its historic ambience. Tollywood superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee, accompanied by the crew of his upcoming Kakababu film Vijaynagarer Hirey, graced the occasion.

“This rally is the oldest in India, and I first attended it as a child. Even today, I feel the same excitement as I return to this extravagant automobile celebration,” he said. Concluding the event, Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman, extended his gratitude to the Indian Army, Kolkata Police, sponsors, judges, participants, and the audience for their enthusiastic support. Vineet Gupta, Director of The Statesman Group, added: “The rally has been a source of pride for The Statesman for decades, and the RCTC grounds allow us to relive this dream with warmth and ease.”