[Team-BHP] Federation of Historic Vehicles of India – Grand Heritage Drive 2020 (Rann of Kutch)

The Federation of Historic Vehicles of India in association with FIVA, official partner UNESCO , with support from GVCCC (Gujarat Vintage and Classic Car Club) organised their most recent event where a group of 13 Vintage and Classic cars, drove over 1400 kilometres spread over 7 days through the state of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The participants included a woman driver, children as young as 4 years and grandparents as old as 80 who took up the gruelling challenge with vigour and valour!

The event was flagged of by the Honourable Governor of Gujarat Shri Acharya Devvrat Ji. The gritting excursion ventured into the far edges of the country, navigating through exotic landscapes. These included the steep slopes of Mount Abu, the vast open salt pans of the Rann of Kutch, the coastal shores of Mandvi and the meandering back roads through Gujarat’s isolated villages. All this, while soaking in and savouring the flavour of royalty of the Princely States as they visited the Royal Palaces of Idar, Gondal, Wankaner and Bikaner and hosted with the gracious hospitality of the Royal families themselves.

The unanimous love and passion for motoring is the driving factor in enabling the great effort put in by the organisers, participants and the hosts from across the country contributing to the Historic Vehicle Movement of India.

The opening weekend started off with the GVCCC’s annual Heritage Car and Bike Show. The event boasted of a grand display of 80 Historic Cars and 30 Motorcycles belonging to private collectors. The event was a great success with the Honourable Governor of Gujarat himself, Shri Acharya Devvrat, flagging off the drive.

Some of the vehicles that participated in the drive included a 1933 Chevrolet Phaeton, 1940 Lincoln Zephyr, 1947 MG TC, 1948 Oldsmobile, 1956 Chevrolet Belair, 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 1956 Triumph TR3, 1967 Humber Hawk, 1970 Peugeot 304 and a 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood.

The grand voyage was an immersion of history not only for the onlookers but for the participants as well, getting private tours by the Royal families of the great 11th century Dilwara Temple as shown by HH Maharaja Daiwat Singh Ji of Sirohi, the Dowlat Villas Palace and private vintage car collection of Idar as shown by HH Maharaja Bhagirath Singh Ji , HH Maharaja Narendra Singh Ji , Rajkumar Suryavir and Prince Karin Singh of Idar. The stunning Palace of Wankaner being restored after the earthquake and private Vintage Car Collection as shown by Prince Yuvraj Kesaridevsingh Ji and Princess Yogini of Wankaner and a grand finale at the gorgeous private collection of Gondal as shown by HH Maharaj Shri Jyotendrasinhji Vikram Singh Ji & Yuvarajkumar Himanshukumarsinji of Gondal. World Heritage Sites like the 11th century Rani Ki Vav and Modhera Sun Temple built after 1026-27 CE with their architectural opulence left onlookers in awe.

Though every moment of the journey was a highlight in itself, acquiring special permission for the very first time to enter into the salt pans, 30 km from the Pakistan border to watch the stunning sunrise over nature’s magnificent creation, the Rann of Kucth, was mesmerising and awe inspiring. A sight, that was truly a humbling experience.

At the end of the drive, keeping in mind the responsibility towards the environment, FHVI, in order to offset the carbon footprint, planted tress on behalf of every participant in the Sundarbans, West Bengal, to help with the conservation of Tigers. Each participant was handed over a certificate, that would help track their trees. A great example to set for events across the globe.

The entire event speaks of brotherhood, camaraderie and fellowship all weaved together by the unconditional love for motoring. A great achievement on the part of the Federation of Historic Vehicles of India, its members and participants, for giving the world of Historic Motoring a new leaf in history books.

There’s no better depiction of the people, the country and the historic vehicles of our incredible India!

This magnificent adventure would not have been possible without our esteemed sponsors Advaith Hyundai, C. Krishnaiah Chetty & Sons, Akshar Travels, GVCCC and Classic Chase.

Written by Sanjay Sukumar
Photo Credits: Milind Kale and House of Creation, Jaipur

Photography Credits: Milind Kale, House of Creation, Jaipur

Flag Off by Honourable Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat

Participants Posing for Photo

Honorable Governor of Gujrat Shri Ararys Devrat being driven by Dr. Ravi Praksah, President FHVI

Dr. Prakash in enjoying a light moment

Participants in front of an MGTC

Cars Lining up before the drive

Participants posing Sun temple, Modhera

Dr. Prakash Adressing the gathering

eTree Certificate given to participants to offset the carbon footprint of the drive

Beautiful Momento Given to Participants of the Drive

Group Photo with Governor

Architectural Marvels seen enroute

Photography Credits: Milind Kale, House of Creation, Jaipur

1. Convoy through the Dowlat Villas Palace at Himmatnagar

2. Rupali Prakash driving her 1966 MGB GT at the Rann of Kutch.

3. 1947 MG TC against the Dowlat Villas Palace

4. Mr SVS Gupta in his 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air

5. Mr Vinod Hayagriv driving the oldest car of the drive the 1933 Chevrolet
Eagle Phaeton through a flock of sheep on route to Rajkot.

6. Miroslaw from Poland driving the 1970 Peugeot 304 Cabriolet

7. The 1912 Indian belonging to Mr Subodh Nath at the GVCCC Gujarat Heritage Car and Bike Show

8. Mrs Triveni Hayagriv at a guava pit stop in her 1933 Chevrolet, en route to Mount Abu.

9. Mr Abhishek Nath’s 1948 Oldsmobile at the Dowlat Villas Palace

10. the 1947 MG TC at Himmatnagar

11. The 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia being driven up Mount Abu

12. The fabulous display of Historic cars and bikes at organised by GVCCC at the Heritage Car and Bike Show in Ahmedabad.

13. The MG TC at the Bikaner Palace in Mount Abu

14. A special section was designated for all the cars participating in the FHVI Grand Heritage Drive 2020 (Rann of Kutch) at the GVCCC Heritage Car Show.

15. A beautiful display of Historic Bikes at the GVCCC Heritage Car and Bike Show

16. Rupali Prakash in the 1956 TR3 at the Bikaner Palace in Mount Abu.

17. The Chevy Bel Air and Impala at the GVCCC Heritage Car and Bike Show.

18. The convoy leaving Mount Abu and headed to meet Maharaj Daiwat Singh of Sirohi at Kesar Bhawan

19. The 1966 MG GT.

20. The Bel Air, Alfa, TR3 and Humber lined up the GVCCC Heritage Car Show.

21. The 1938 Chevrolet Master Deluxe on its way back from the Modhera Sun Temple.

22. Dr Ravi Prakash driving the 1956 TR3 on the salt pans at the Rann of Kutch.

23. Dr Ravi Prakash and Sabena Prakash driving the MG TC with the 1979 Cadillac driven by Mr Deshprabhu and 1967 Humber Hawk driven by Tilak Thomas following behind.

24. The 1938 Chevrolet Master Deluxe

25. The cars lined up at the Rann for the sunrise.

26. The Alfa Romeo and MGB GT against the sunrise on the Rann

27. Tilak Thomas driving his Humber Hawk followed by the Bel Air and Chevrolet

28. The cars fueling up at the gas station

29. The Alfa Romeo at Dowlat Villas

30. The TR3 at Tent City

The original article appeared in Team-BHP.com – Read it here