 When
it comes to upholding a legacy, Bangalore has always been a trend
setter. The recently held Vintage Car Rally, which highlighted the
need to preserve these priceless mechanical possessions, also emphasized
the need to bring back beauty to the city.
 It
was a fascinating line up of Gigantic Chevrolets, Jaguars, majestic
Merecedes, Triumphs, Austins, Morises, Willy jeeps along with Royal
Enfield and BSA motorbikes. To the amazement of the huge crowd that
had gathered on the cool Sunday morning of October 29, 2000, the riders
were also aptly dressed in period costume of the the 50's and 60's.
This glorious spectacle owes thanks to Karnataka Vintage and Classic
Car Club (KVCCC) for having organised this rally of old beauties
that had gathered together from all over
the state. The rally that flagged off at around 10 AM, cruised through
Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park, M G Road, St. Marks Road, Ulsoor and
Indira Nagar before terminating at White Field. The assembled crowd
along these roads cheered the cars and bikes all through. The owners
were in high-spirits and proudly paraded their possessions in public.
Papanna, who was on his 1936-make Jaguar with his family, was
heard saying, "This is one of the very few occasions we get to
drive our Vintage cars. This rally is a great occasion for the owners
who strive hard to maintain them all through the year."
 Notable
vehicles in the rally were Dr Ravi Prakash's 1918 Sunbeam,
Government owned Dennis fire engine of 1925, a Renault (1903) and
DB27 Daimler (1947). Dr Ravi Prakash, Secretary of KVCCC said, "Whenever
we hold an event, it is done with a purpose, and this time the purpose
was to restore Bangalore to its old and beautiful self". The placards
projecting from the cars displayed poignant environmental slogans
like-Keep Bangalore clean; Plant more trees and the like, all
reflective of rally's theme-Bring Beauty Back to Bangalore.
 There
were accolades for the best beauties, be it the car or the costume
of the person driving it. Afzal Sharief, who took part in the
rally with his Chevrolet, won the costume round. While Nanda Gopal
on his 1938 Mercedes became the first runner up, Sabeena on
her metallic Sunbeam bagged the second runner-up title.
Some cars needed rest in between the rally because of their age. A
Willy jeep (1952-make) was too tired at one point of the rally and
had to be towed by another Willy till it got back on the tracks. Altogether,
the rally was vintage fare for onlookers, taking them back to leisure-filled,
glorious days of yesteryears.
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12:18:29 PM 
