11th February to 20th February 2000


The rally has attracted over 14 international entries and shall also see participation of some of the best Vintage and Classic cars from India. Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Dodges, Mercedes and other venerable cars are gracing the rally.

The event which flags off from Delhi shall take the participants and their classic cars of the yesteryears through the glorious past of the Indian culture. Along the spectacular route the participants will relive the splendours of the 'Raj' and shall experience the royal luxurious lifestyle. An evening at the Rambaugh Palace with HH Bhavani Singh, Maharaja of Jaipur. A chance to dine with HH Gaj Singh at the Umed Bhuvan Palace at Jodhpur and then with HH Arvind Singh at Shiv Nivas Palace at Udaipur. The participants will also dine with Mr.Pranlal Bhogilal the president of VCCCI and see his unique collection of cars at Ahmedabad. This is one complete journey full of adventure, luxurious lifestyle together with superb comfort and modern facilities.

The International participants include Paulwood with a Rolls Royce (1914), Colin Crabbe entering a Vauxhall (1920), Philip Stickland with a Bentley (1925), Trevor Ingrey with a Bentley (1926) and a Rolls Royce SilverGhost (1909) that belongs to the National Motor Museum of Beaulieu, UK and driven by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (past president of FIVA). The 1909 Rolls Royce is also the oldest participating car. A Bugatti Type 3 owned by Clauide Teisen will also compete.

CMD Lines of U.K. is the official carrier for shipping the cars to India and Air India is the official Airlines for this event. All the cars are covered by United India Assuarance who are the official Insurers for the event.

The largest collection of Vintage cars in the world is in India, owned by Mr. Pranlal Bhogilal. The Vintage and Classic Car Club of India was founded by Mr. Pranlal Bhogilal with the objective of preserving this rich heritage of cars in the country.

There are about six Indian entires competeing in this international event. Among the Indian participants include Nishat Dossa's 190 SL Mercedes which was previously owned by Jawaharlal Nehru, 135 Dodge Bros. Limousine - entered for the event by Air India and driven by Subhash Goregaonkar, a 1947 Cadillac, another 1947 Oldsmobile that was earlier owned by HH of Udaipur (the present Maharaja use to go to the Mayo College, Ajmer in the same car).

Those who are passionate about Vintage cars shall not only get to fiest upon the participating cars, but shall also be able to see the valuable collection of cars in various cities along the rally route.

Mumbai roads will see these cars roll in all their splendour on Sunday 20th Feb 2000 when they participate in the annual Castrol VCCCI Vintage Car Feista. Castrol has been sponsoring this event for over 20 years now and it has become one of the most eagerly awaited event for Vintage car lovers. Besides the foreign entries, over a 100 rare and unique cars and motorcycles will be participating as Indian entries, with cars from Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. The Mumbai rally will include 15 cars from Mr.Pranlal Bhogilal's extensive collection, and a rare Rolls Royce (1929) - 20 HP belonging to Fali Dhondy, which is coming on the road after a gap of 30 years. Besides the cars, at least 25 motorcycles will also be on display with Nitin Dossa's 1910 Triumph being the oldest entry. The Castrol VCCCI rally will be flagged off from the MMRDA ground (Opp.Vidhan Bhavan) at 9.00 am. Vintage car enthusiasts will be able to see the cars on display between 7.00 and 9.00 am at MMRDA ground and thereafter again at Indian Express Towers Car Park (Nariman Point) between 1.00 PM to 9.00 PM. The cars will also be on display briefly at Palm Grove Hotel, Juhu between 10.00 AM to 11.30 AM