Vintage charm: Registered over 77 years ago, Austin 8 and Austin 40 among oldest running vehicles in Chandigarh

The records also list a Standard Gazel, manufactured by General Motors India Pvt Ltd and which was registered on September 3, 1970; besides a two-wheeler, Rajdoot, that was registered on May 31, 1967.

Jaswant Singh, a member of the Vintage and Classic Car Club, Chandigarh, said his father Balbir Singh owns the Standard Gazel. “I own a 1955-model Plymouth Savoy manufactured by Chrysler Corporation. It is registered with the Mohali RLA,” he said.

The Austin 8, Registered in 1945. (Express Photo)

Talking about the expense involved in maintaining a vintage car, Jaswant added, “It initially needs some maintenance, but once repair works are done, it just needs timely service like other cars.”

Baljeet Singh, secretary of Vintage and Classic Car Club of Chandigarh, who owns the 1948-registered Austin 40, said, “Club members showcase the vintage cars during various events in Chandigarh, including the Rose Festival in February and the Chandigarh Carnival in November. At present, only a few vintage LMVs are registered with the Chandigarh RLA. We have requested the administration to register more.”

An RLA official said that a car is considered vintage if it is at least 50 years old. An application for registration or re-registration of the vintage vehicle should be submitted under Form 20 of the RLA and every application shall be accompanied by an insurance policy; an appropriate fee as specified in rule 81 – which is Rs 20,000 for registration and Rs 5,000 for re-registration; a bill of entry in case of imported vintage motor vehicles; and old Registration Certificate in case of vehicle that was already registered in India.

As per RLA’s guidelines, a “Vintage Motor Vehicle” refers to any vehicle more than 50 years old, calculated from the date of registration after its first sale, including any vehicle imported into India, subject to the condition that such vehicle should be maintained in its original form and should not have undergone any substantial overhaul, which includes any modification in chassis or body shell or engine.

Apart from the mechanically fit and running vintage cars, there are many vintage cars in the city that are maintained as antique models but not driven around, and these are not registered with RLA.

Manmohan Singh Kohli, owner of Hotel Aroma in Chandigarh, said, “I have three vintage cars, two are 1930-1940 model Austins, and the other is a Morris Minor. These were previously registered with the RLA. Now we do not drive these around, but just bring them out for exhibition. For us, these cars serve as conversation-stirrers and induce nostalgia.”