Gearing up in Thane

Some of the vintage cars that will be on display

When we call up Nitin Dossa, executive chairman of Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), he is on his way to meet Vivek Phansalkar, the Police Commissioner of Thane. The reason is that Dossa wants to extend an invitation to the top cop for the vintage car rally that WIAA organises every year, which will make its debut in the satellite city this weekend. "We felt that we were neglecting the suburbs, and Thane has never seen an automobile event as big as this," Dossa says about the decision to shift the rally.

He adds that some of the models that will be on display date back to the 19th century. There is a Mercedes model from 1896. There's a Ford car from 1899. Dossa says, "We also have the Rolls Royce that Lord Mountbatten used to ride in, apart from an Alvis [a British company] that won at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the world's most prestigious car show."

Nitin Dossa

He adds that there are many cars from Raymond chairman Gautam Singhania's collection, too, and that there is an ongoing exhibition at the Raymond showroom in Thane. "You can spend an entire day there seeing the cars for the works of art they are. So, I'd urge people to attend," Dossa says.

He also says that this being the WIAA's centenary year, there is a big event planned in Mumbai in September where super cars will be showcased. But that's for later on since right now it's Thane's time to regale in the majestic beauty of these ancient vehicles.

ON February 23 for the rally; exhibition is on from 9 am to 6 pm
AT Eleganza Mall, Raymond's Mill Compound, Thane.
CALL 22041085

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