Dazzling display of vintage cars

There was unusual excitement at the parking lot of Amethyst Café in Royapettah on Sunday as people posed around 39 vintage cars that they had probably seen only in the movies. The event was the Madras Heritage Motoring Club’s Vintage and Classic car display. Some of the vintage cars included Austin Chummy 1926, MG TB 1939, 1957 Standard Super 10, Dodge Brothers 1932, Austin 7, MercedesBenz Ponton 1959 and the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. 

Out of the 39 cars on display 12 belonged to AVM Studios and some have been a part of many landmark movies. For instance, the MG TB 1939 was featured in Sivaji and another Chevrolet that was seen in Gemini. 

For these vintage car aficionados, the cars are more than just machines. “They are family,” says Anita Subramaniam, who owns a 1946 Austin. She recalls how her grandfather’s car is still a vital member of the family. “There are so many memories of the car. My grandfather used to drop in at our school in it. Even today, my school friends remember him and his car.” All these beautiful vintage machines are well maintained, still operational and almost as good as new. Their owners say maintaining them is a major responsibility. 

VS Kylas, Founder-Secretary of the Madras Heritage Motoring Club and owner of Morris Eight 1946, says that these cars require a lot of attention and the club puts them in touch with members who know how to handle vintage vehicles. “I try taking them out once or twice a month. Driving them here is not easy and the only time that’s suitable for a spin is a Sunday morning.”