India’s favorite tourist destination is all set to host the 2018 Goa Vintage Bike and Car Festival on April 29. People are always coming to Goa for the mouthwatering food, the gorgeous beaches, the clean air and cool sea breeze and the nightlife. If you happen to be in Goa this weekend then you’re in for a treat. Especially if you’re an automobile aficionado.
A great experience for lovers of vintage automobiles
The 2nd edition of this festival has been curated by Ashvek Vintage World with the support of the VCCFI (Vintage and Classic Car Federation of India). The organizers are GTDC. The rally will see at least 60 vintage cars, 50 bikes, and scooters making their way to the Inox courtyard on Sunday morning. Starting at 10 am, vintage bike and car owners, users, collectors, and fans from across the country will cruise down the streets of Panjim. The parade will be led by 25 Harley Davidson bikes.
The rally is a celebration of Goa’s rich automobile history. People from all over the country will be at the Inox courtyard just to be a part of this grand event. After all, it’s not every day that one gets to see so many classic automobiles in one place.
The event will exhibit some of the best vintage automobiles to be seen in India. These classic vehicles will be put into different categories as well. Interesting modern classics like 2 SL Mercedes from the late 80’s are expected along with a couple of Mazda Miatas. Morris’ and Mercedes Benzs from all eras will also be part of this year’s event. “The other vehicles that will be part of the festival are BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons, Lambrettas to name a few,” says curator of the festival, Pradeep Naik.
He adds that the crowd puller will be the 1886 Benz Motorwagen (replica ) brought from Ashvek Vintage World in Nuvem.Invented by Karl Benz in 11886, the Benz Patent Motorwagen is widely regarded as the world’s first automobile that was designed to be propelled by an internal combustion engine. Only 25 wagons were built between 1886 and 1893.
Cruising around Panjim city
The vintage automobiles will be flagged off from the Inox Courtyard at 10 am. These will be led by 25 Harley Davidson motorcycles traveling through Campal, around the Miramar beach circle, back into Panaji, along the famous Mandovi river promenade. The cars and bikes will arrive back at the Inox courtyard and be on display till 6 pm. The event is open to all at no cost. So come by and check out the classics from every era.
At the end of the day, there will be a function to award prizes and certificates in various categories of vintage vehicles. Some of the categories will include the oldest automobile, most appealing and the rarest.
To make it easier for participants to bring their prized automobiles to Goa, the GTDC has tied up with the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. They are also offering special concessional rates for accommodation at their hotels and guest houses for participants coming in from out of state.
Information credit – The Navhind Times/ Autocar India
ItsGoa/APR/KDGP
