The historically famous premises of Alipore Jail in Kolkata – officially known as the Alipore Central Correctional Home, and now renamed the Alipore Museum – was host to the Vintage & Classic Bike Show by Classic Drivers Club (CDC) on January 14. The event was greeted with an overwhelmingly positive response, with around 6,000 people walking into the museum between 11am and 4pm, fascinated by the sight of historic vehicles in a historic setting.
For the first time in eastern India, a historic vehicle event was held in a museum. Aside from this, a unique aspect of the event was ‘CDC Shamman’ – a programme to honour the unsung craftsmen who toil unnoticed to keep historic vehicles in good shape. Three such individuals, who are craftsmen in different areas, were honoured by the club in recognition of their invaluable services towards the motoring community.
Ninety-five vintage vehicles, including 72 cars and 23 motorcycles, were part of this unique event in Kolkata. The following icons stole the spotlight:
- A 1930 Auburn 6-85
- A 1913 Stoewer C1 in the same family since new
- A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30, which was at one time used by the first President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad
- A recently imported Hooper-bodied Rolls-Royce
- A 1928 Studebaker President 8 limousine owned by the Cossimbazar Raj family since new
- A 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe whose first owner was the famous singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay
- A 1928 Ford Model A, which has been in the same family since new
- A recently restored 1958 Mercedes-Benz Ponton.
Additionally, various Fiat cars, ranging from the Millecento right down to the Premier President, were also present, along with other Indian heritage models like the Ambassadors of yore.
Meanwhile, among the two-wheelers, there was a 100-year-old Panther Sloper, which was one of the many unique motorcycles on display with a 1949-50 Norton Dominator and 1956 Triumph Twin for company. An equally impressive sight was a full range of two-wheelers from different eras.
