Lucknow: The spirit of history came alive on the streets of Lucknow ahead of Republic Day as the Awadh Heritage Car Club organised a grand Vintage Car Rally, offering residents a glimpse into the golden era of automobile engineering. The rally commenced from Lohia Park and concluded at Paper Mill Colony, drawing enthusiastic crowds along the route.
The undisputed highlight of the rally was a rare 1923 Austin 7 Chummy, owned by Dr. A.P. Maheshwari, which captivated onlookers with its timeless charm. At 103 years old, the vehicle is considered a moving document of automotive history.
Dr. Maheshwari explained that the car was manufactured by the Austin Motor Company, founded in 1905, and played a significant role in shaping the global automobile industry. “The world’s first BMW car (Dixi) in Germany and Japan’s first Nissan car were both built under the licence of the Austin 7,” he noted.
Originally known as a compact family car, the open-top ‘Tourer’ model initially produced 7.2 horsepower. However, this 1923 version is equipped with a 747cc engine generating 10.5 horsepower, making it remarkably powerful for its era.
The car’s journey to Lucknow is equally fascinating. Brought from Mysuru, it remained in a scrap condition for nearly 50 years. Only the engine and chassis were salvageable, following which a complete ground-up restoration was carried out to revive the historic automobile.
More than two dozen vintage cars participated in the rally. According to organisers, the objective was not only to strengthen the club’s future roadmap but also to promote heritage conservation, social awareness and appreciation of classic engineering. The rally also served as a precursor to a larger, more elaborate vintage car exhibition planned for the future, which will showcase the brilliance of early automotive craftsmanship.
Women Drive the Spirit of Republic
Adding vibrant energy to the celebrations, the streets of Lucknow also witnessed the Times Women Car Rally, jointly organised by The Times of India and Navbharat Times. Held under the theme “Driving the Spirit of Republic,” the rally saw enthusiastic participation from women aged 20 to 68 years, including Shreya Solomon and Archana Pathak.
Participants, dressed in tricolour-themed attire, navigated city checkpoints in a treasure-hunt style format. The event was supported by partners including Eldeco Housing and Industries Ltd, SBI, HDFC Bank, Lucknow Development Authority, and several others.
At the prize distribution ceremony, Transport Commissioner Kinjal Singh, the chief guest, applauded the participants and encouraged greater participation of women in driving. Highlighting that only about 15% of driving licences in India are held by women, she said true empowerment is still a work in progress. “Women drivers are rarely appreciated. This rally challenges that mindset,” she remarked, expressing hope for even larger rallies in the future.
The twin rallies together turned Lucknow’s roads into a celebration of heritage, empowerment and patriotic pride, making Republic Day festivities truly memorable.
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