The car, with its breathtaking beauty, was the cynosure of all eyes at the DLF Vintage Car Rally, organised by the Heritage Motoring Club of India, in association with DLF.
Revellers enjoying the last of the winter sun in the atrium connecting DLF Promenade and DLF Emporio were greeted by a sight so beautiful on Sunday afternoon that several jaws visibly dropped. For around 3 pm, the lady in red strutted inside the compound with the grace and poise befitting a queen. In fact, unable to control themselves, many literally pounced on her to take selfies.
"I do not feel jealous at all. I have become used to the attention that I get because of her. My heart swells with pride when people walk up to me and congratulate me for having her in the family," beamed Ashok Gupta, the proud owner of the lady in question: 1936 Rolls Royce 25/30HP.
The car, with its breathtaking beauty, was the cynosure of all eyes at the DLF Vintage Car Rally, organised by the Heritage Motoring Club of India, in association with DLF. A bevy of 28 vintage beauties, dating as far back as 1925, sashayed down the road from Gurgaon to Delhi, settling in the open area of the mall for Delhiites to admire them.
The 1936 RR was originally made by H Mulliner and company and was later restored by renowned British coachbuilder Garywales in the United Kingdom. For the last seven years, the car has been the apple of Gupta's eyes, who spends at least Rs 20,000 per month on the basic upkeep of the vehicle.
"It is my most prized and loved possession till date. Though I have had a huge collection of vintage cars over the last one decade, this beauty continues to steal my heart," he said fondly. The Delhi-based businessman, who is a self-confessed lover and collector of rare cars, further said that every week, Sunday is fixed for his beloved and he takes personal care when it comes to servicing of the car, which is done every month.
His son Chirag chipped in that the car was a white elephant. "It is a guzzler. Imagine paying Rs 4,000 for a 10 km ride. It is an expensive affair, both in terms of money and time, but is worth every penny spent and every second devoted. These cars are like art, they need to be preserved, admired, and loved," averred Gupta junior, who has taken after his father and own a 1972 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, which was also a part of the rally.
Till recently, Gupta owned as many as 24 vintage cars, including Pontiac 1953, 1956 Beetle, with some of them even featuring in Bollywood movies such as 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'PK'. Now left with only two after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all cars older than 15 years to be taken off road, Gupta said the move was harsh for relics like his.
"The NGT should have been considerate towards such cars, at least, because they do not cause as much pollution. Besides, we hardly take them out, keeping in view the financial issues involved," he added.
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