Driving through the scarcely crowded roads of Madras, a 1937 Sunbeam Talbot gleaming with its silver armour in the southern sun, caught the attention of Dr Ravi Prakash and his friend. Dr Ravi then still a medical student was visiting Chennai from Bangalore.
“It was 1979 and I was in Chennai for the races”, remembered Dr Prakash, “While I was admiring the car with my friend he exclaimed that he saw the car in the news papers that day!”
It was up for sale!
What are the Odds! “We turned around the car and headed to the owner’s house in Chennai. It was 1130 hours in the morning. General Mahadevan appeared at the door in his tall stature. He retired as the head of Northern Command of the Indian Army.
The lovely silver Talbot was purchased from Lord Mountbatten!
“While we discussed the intricacies of his possession, I cautiously inquired about the price of the car”, said Dr Prakash. “40,000 INR” came the reply!
“I had already spent 11,000 INR to book a Mercedes in Bangalore. There was no way I was going to be able to buy this vintage beauty. Despite seeing the dismay on my face, he very kindly invited me for some beer. Mrs. Mahadevan made some delicious snacks while we talked about cars. Afterwards, he courteously walked me down to bid goodbye.”
“The vintage car collection began with me. I used to race in my earlier years. My parents were supportive. I had some good seasons and some good victories and seeing her son’s picture in the newspapers made my mother proud.”
“Back home in Bangalore, later that day in the evening I called the General for his hospitality. His wife picked up the phone. Just when I was finished thanking her for the generosity, I was informed that the General had been hospitalised. He fell from the stairs while retrieving his steps back home from our farewell”
Mrs Mahadevan said “Since the General had one too many beers in the early hours of the morning, while he was returning home after seeing you off, he slipped and is hospitalised in the Command Hospital. I am taking food for him now.”
“I felt very guilty. I visited him in hospital. We organised a driver for the lady to travel back and forth from the hospital and left my car behind for her convenience. I took a train back home”
A few months later I received a telegram about the general’s demise. I visited the family for last rites. Another few weeks ahead, I got a surprising letter from the General’s wife. The words read “Come pick up your car!”. I was in a dilemma because I never discussed the final price or negotiated with the General. I did not have that kind of money I was still a student After gathering some decent funds from my expat friends I braved my way to Chennai.
She welcomed me with the car keys and documents. Just about when I pulled out the packet with the little money that I had borrowed. She outrightly refused to accept it and exclaimed “The general has gifted it to you!”. I couldn’t accept it like that! She very graciously continued to refuse the remuneration.
I drove into Madras and bought a TV 21 inches and VCR player. Went straight back to her house and installed it for her as a thank you for her and the General’s generosity. It cost me about 20,000 INR. I took the beautiful silver Talbot and drove it back home to Bangalore with much joy.
That is how my journey with vintage cars started
Q) How did you come about the idea of forming FHVI ( Federation of Historic Vehicles of India) ?
FIVA (Fédération International des Véhicules Anciens) is the world body.I t is worldwide federative association of historic automobile clubs. From 2012, I started connecting with FIVA for affiliation. I finally met Patrick Rollet . We then got Karnataka vintage club as a member. It was the second club after Mumbai club that became a member of FIVA. We had help from several experts like advocate Vikran Singh and Diljeet Titus who helped us draft and thus form our federation of historic vehicles . This federation itself is now recognised by FIVA. We have been hosting events to get the interest of vintage car owners across the country by hosting rallies and events like the international Royal classic drive to Mysore where we had entrants from UK, Sri Lanka, all over India with Mr Patrick Rollet as a guest. We have also had Ahmedabad and Jaipur events.
It was a popular reckoning among the members to host a special event for Vintage motorcycles as plenty had already been done for four wheelers.
There is a world motorcycle event that happens every year and this time we decided to be part of this amazing event which already has 62 countries as part of it. This is the first ever event exclusively for vintage two wheelers in India. 200 Of them, coming together on one ground.
What should bike lovers expect to see at the International Historic Motorcycles show in Bangalore?
Vintage bike lovers or bike lovers in general will find this event a treat ! We have dug out bikes that have never been seen in public. Collectors who have been keeping these bikes preciously away for their-eyes-only will be seen with their gems at the UB City on 1st and 2nd June. There will be many Biker heads in Bangalore this weekend
