Among six vintage vehicles — five cars and a two-wheeler —registered in Chandigarh, ‘AUSTIN 8’, manufactured by Austin Limited, is the oldest car registered with the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA) before Independence.
According to the RLA, Chandigarh, the Austin 8 was registered as a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) on January 25, 1945.
Austin 40, (middle) Atul Kapoor, owner of Austin 8
Other vintage cars registered with the Chandigarh Regional Transport Authority (RLA) include an Austin 40, registered on May 25, 1948; a Fiat 1100, manufactured by FCA India Automobiles Private Limited, registered on April 1, 1956; a Morris Minor 1000, produced by Morris Motors Limited, registered on February 24, 1964; and a Standard Gazel, manufactured by General Motors India Private Limited, registered on September 3, 1970.
Also, a two-wheeler “Rajdoot”, was registered with the RLA on May 31, 1967.
Jaswant Singh, a member of the Vintage and Classic Car Club, Chandigarh, said, “My father Balbir Singh owns a Standard Gazel registered with RLA, Chandigarh. I own a Plymouth Savoy 1955 model, manufactured by Chrysler Corporation. It’s registered with the Mohali RLA.”
Divulging how expensive it is to maintain a vintage car, Jaswant Singh said, “Initially, it needed some maintenance, but thereafter it just needs timely service like any other car.”
Baljeet Singh, secretary of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Chandigarh, who owns a 1948-registered Austin 40, said, “Club members showcase their vintage cars during different events in Chandigarh, including the Rose Festival in February, and Chandigarh Carnivals in November.”
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Another vintage car
“At present, only five vintage LMV cars are registered with the Chandigarh RLA. We have urged the Chandigarh administration to register more vintage cars,” Baljeet Singh added.
Talking about the registration of vintage cars, an RLA official said, “A 50-year-old car is registered under the vintage car category.”
According to the RLA, for the registration of vintage vehicles, an application for the registration or re-registration of a vintage vehicle shall be made as per Form 20 and every application for registration shall be accompanied by a policy of insurance; an appropriate fee as specified in Rule 81, which is Rs 20,000 for registration and Rs 5000 for re-registration; a bill of entry in the case of imported vintage motor vehicles; and old Registration Certificate in case of already registered vehicle in India.
As per the RLA’s provision, a Vintage Motor Vehicle means any vehicle classified under vintage vehicle category — L1 and L2 categories for two-wheelers and M1 category for four-wheeler — which is more than fifty-year-old from the date of first registration after the first sale, including any vehicle imported into India, but subject to the condition — such vehicles should be maintained in its original form and should not have undergone any substantial overhaul, which includes any modification in chassis or body shell or engine.
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The State Registering Authority will issue a certificate for a Vintage Motor Vehicle registered by it to the owner.
In addition to mechanically registered vintage cars, the city is home to several antique models. These are not registered with the RLA and are not driven.
Manmohan Singh Kohli, owner of Hotel Aroma in Chandigarh and a vintage car owner, said, “I have three vintage cars, two 1930-1940 models, an Austin, and another is a Morris Minor. These were previously registered with the RLA. Now, we do not drive them; we bring them out for exhibition.”