Kerala - Kozhikode   

Vintage cars sparkle at exhibition

— Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

PRICELESS: An Austin Seven vintage car on display at the ongoing Auto Fusion 2010 exhibition at the Swapna Nagari grounds in the city.

Kozhikode: The black and red Austin Seven is truly the Baby Austin of the 1930s. This U.K. model, displayed at the Auto Fusion 2010 exhibition at the Swapna Nagari grounds in Kozhikode, has been well preserved. Nothing has been changed, except the tyres and the seat. The original brass symbols and the staring headlights of yesteryear give the model a typical vintage look.

The car, manufactured by the Austin Motor Company in 1935, stands out among the vintage, classic and luxury cars at the ongoing exhibition, organised by AWH Engineering College at Kuttikattoor and the Kozhikode Corporation.

“It is difficult to maintain vintage vehicles. We had spent nearly Rs.2 lakh on the model for maintenance recently,” S. Bhanu, one of the three brothers together known as SAB for Sanker, Ajith and Bhanu, of Easwaramangalam in the city says.

The car was one of the popular models among the three-lakh odd cars the company rolled out from 1922 to 1939. “We had found the Austin in our garage in the 1960s. May be, our grandfather acquired the model from the British during his time,” Mr. Bhanu says.

The Singer 200 from the U.K. is another attractive oldie from 1946. Architect N.M. Salim is the proud owner of this petrol version.

A Willys jeep of Willy-Overland Motors of the U.S., manufactured in 1968, owned by Mridhul of Malaparamba is another highlight among the 10 vintage cars and numerous luxury automobiles at the grounds.

The student organisers had a difficult time scouting around for the owners of these prized models and later convincing them to let their vehicles be displayed for the public. “We assured them that the automobiles will be returned without any problem,” Mohammed Lubaib, a third year B.Tech. student, says.

A 1942 make of Landmaster (Hindustan Motors); a Morris Minor of 1951; a four-cylinder Fiat of 1956 and a Fiat Nouvelle 1100 are some of the other automobiles one should get a glimpse of.

A few Kozhikode-based companies have sponsored to display their two-door convertible Mercedes Benz SLK 350 and six-speed auto all-wheel drive Audi Q7.

Among the bikes exhibited is the 250 cc BSA of 1935. Manufactured in the U.K., this 2.5 HP model is still in good condition. The 3-speed shaft driver Lambretta LD of 1942 is another exciting package. Both are owned by the SAB team.

K.V. Sajuraj has displayed a Jawa model made in the Czech Republic in 1963. The mileage of this 250 cc bike is 12 km per litre. He has also displayed the 350 cc Triumph, a twin cylinder model, of 1941. Its mileage is 6 km per litre.

Another rare scooter is the Beluga, a 1976 model from Yamaha. It is perhaps the only one in the State, Avinash of Manikandan Automobiles, says.

A car altered for the physically handicapped is also on display. K. Mustafa of Malappuram has modified the car for operating the accelerator and the clutch with hands.

The automobile exhibition will draw to a close on Friday.

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