I've been in love with old cars and bikes ever since I can remember. I’ve worked on many of these old beauties, and have loved every moment of it. I used to run a small restoration outfit in Guwahati, and did up some really interesting cars for some very colourful people. By and large, the owners of these classic and vintage cars & bikes knew each other. Some owned a garage full of these beauties, while others had just a single prized possession – but none of that mattered. It was a close community. When I moved to Delhi, I lost touch with these oldies for a while, but got acquainted with like minded people very soon – motorcyclists mostly. We went for some lovely rides. Things didn’t always go according to plan, as, invariably, a few of the old motorcycles broke down and we could never complete our run in the planned time-frame. But no one complained, it was one big picnic with a lot of bonhomie. Many of these riders also owned old cars, and soon got together to form a heritage automobile club. It was a great feeling, and I got to see some breathtakingly beautiful cars, some extremely rare machines, and some that I’ve had the good fortune to grow up with. They were common then, but are rare now. The initial rides and drives were fun, but then egos started getting in the way. The motorcyclists started getting a raw deal during these rallies. I remember, in one particular instance, the motorcyclists were all bunched separately during a stop for lunch. It wasn’t that they were segregated per se, but there was a clear division between the car and bike owners – in spite of the fact that many of the riders were founding members of the club. Things got even worse when it came to allotting hotel rooms. But the bikers weren’t the only ones to suffer this indignity. Those who owned ‘small’ and more ‘common’ cars like the Morris 8, Ford Prefect, Austins, Jeeps, etc., were made to feel like they were owners of lesser machines. Those who owned cars like the Rolls, Jags, Mercs, big Austins, MG’s, Chevys, Dodges, and the like, were all grouped together. We had all come together for the love of these old cars and bikes. The owner of an Austin Seven is as much an owner of a heritage motor as someone who owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom. True, some of the cars are way more expensive than the others – but how does that matter when you come together to celebrate our motoring heritage? I wish people would keep their inflated egos at home, and just enjoy the drive. The worst offenders are the people who have started collecting cars only recently because it boosts their social status. Those who’ve owned cars such as these for generations never behave in such a petty manner. And yes, the presence of ‘dealers’ in the fold has made it even worse. Instead of admiring a beautifully restored car or a motorcycle, they would simply ask an owner to name his or her price. It’s beyond their comprehension that these pieces of heritage are priceless. The owner may ask for a ludicrous price or may sell his car or bike for a song to someone he feels will look after it well. Money can’t buy everything – least of all things that are close to ones’ heart.
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