Hundreds of vintage and classic car collectors and restorers of such vehicles across the country have become apprehensive about the future of their rare collections as the Ministry of Road Transport has no policies to promote the preservation of such cars and bikes.
Vintage and Classic Car collection is a passionate hobby for those interested in the preservation of the country’s mechanical heritage. There is no dearth of car connoisseurs in the country.
“Whenever a vintage and classic car rally is held anywhere in the country, thousands throng to see the age old vehicles preserved in an immaculate condition by the owners,” Anjan Kumar Chatterjee, a car collector in Nagpur told The Pioneer.
Chatterjee, a lawyer by profession, was shocked to hear from the Ministry of Road Transport that the Government does not have any policy with regard to the preservation of vintage cars.
According to Chatterjee, the Government should think seriously to enact legislations and acts to preserve the vintage and classic cars which have been classified as Veteran (older than 1904), Edwardian (manufactured between 1905 and 1918), Vintage (1919 to 1938) and Classic (1939 to 1960). “We should have a rule to declare these vehicles as our Mechanical Heritage Property. This will help us in preserving these cars in their original condition and getting the spare parts without much hassle,” said Chatterjee.
Naveen Sree, a Pollachi based car collector, said that the vintage and classic owners were not asking for any financial package from the Government.
“The road tax for these cars could be waved off. Similarly, the annual insurance premium too could be brought down,” said Naveen Sree, who also pointed out that the owners of the vintage and classic cars do not use the vehicles for any commercial purposes.
“We go in search of these cars because of our love for engineering, innovation and craftsmanship. Restoring these vehicles to their original self is a challenge. Hundreds of foreign tourists drop in to see these collection of rare cars,” said Sree.
Car collectors across the country, whether it be Kanwardeep Singh of Sahranpur in Uttar Pradesh or Nizar of Pollachi Heritage Club, are unanimous in
their demand that the privileges and rights accorded to vintage automobiles in USA, Europe and Australia should be given to such vehicles in India.
Chatterjee also feel that import tax on vintage and classic cars should be scrapped. “These are all dream machines which are a blend of art and engineering. Each vintage car is equivalent to masterpiece works by great artists like Michelangelo,” said Chatterjee.
Interestingly, India has one of the largest and best collection of vintage and classic cars thanks to the former Maharajas and zamindars who used to import custom built machines.
“They never sold the rare cars and many of them are lying uncared for following the abolition of zamindari. Nilgiris, the hill station in Tamil Nadu has more than hundred such classic cars,” said Nilgiris based Vinod, an avid car collector.
Naveen Sree, a post graduate in business management who is passionate about collection and restoring of Indian vintage vehicles said the best of cars have been designed.
“These vintage cars are sure to inspire the young generation to come out with hitherto unthinkable designs and models. For that to happen we should have as many vintages and classics in our garages,” he said.