| Have you ever wondered what it must be like to | | | | gleamed, with liveried chauffeurs and sometimes |
| own a classic car? A car that is a marvel of | | | | even the family patriarch taking a turn at the |
| human ingenuity and a testimony to manmade | | | | wheel. |
| excellence? Have you ever wondered why | | | | Then times changed. Newer models arrived and |
| beautiful cars are compared to beautiful women? | | | | took centre stage and production of these grand |
| Why they are cherished and even cosseted by | | | | classic cars dwindled, finally stopping altogether. |
| their owners more than the wives are? Have you | | | | Now these beautiful vintage cars are only to be |
| even pondered over the pride that the owner of | | | | found in classic car shows. These are periodically |
| such a classic car might feel? Ownership of classic | | | | held all over the world and car enthusiasts flock |
| and vintage cars is not for everyone. Not only is | | | | to them. To get a glimpse of these wonders of |
| it an expensive hobby, but finding and owning | | | | engineering and to vicariously enjoy the thrill of |
| vintage automobiles is a rarity. They are objects | | | | possession, these car shows are always popular |
| of passion and a connoisseur’s delight. It is an | | | | and are usually well attended. There are car |
| entry into an exclusive clique, one which only a | | | | magazines and online websites which cater to |
| select few can be a part of and the rest can | | | | such car buffs, who reel off facts and figures of |
| aspire to. | | | | the year of manufacture, the engine capabilities, |
| The opulence of wooden dashboards, the luxury | | | | the number of cars in existence, horsepower...et |
| of hand tooled leather seats, the sheer pleasure | | | | al. In fact there’s often a carnival like festive |
| of an almost silent yet powerful engine humming, | | | | atmosphere at these classic car shows. Stalls are |
| the quaint sounds of horns from a bygone | | | | set up hawking different products, there’s |
| era…it is a remnant of a time when the frenetic | | | | cotton candy in one corner and an emcee with |
| pace of life was more leisured, when things were | | | | mike in hand, spurring the crowd to cheer and |
| simply enjoyed and pleasures were reveled in. Its | | | | applaud every car as it takes a stately turn at a |
| ironical actually, that cars today are bought for | | | | sedate pace around a track. One must remember |
| speed, efficiency and maneuverability, yet these | | | | that these cars are not just objects of |
| very same elements were not really factors a | | | | admiration; they need to be examples of mobility |
| few decades back. At that juncture in time, cars | | | | as well. All engines must be in working condition |
| were bought for the wow factor, to enjoy the | | | | with original parts. |
| experience of moving at a leisurely speed from | | | | Every year the calendar of classic car shows is |
| one point to another, its size meant to impress | | | | choc a bloc with shows that are annual or even |
| with its grandeur. Traffic was minimal so one | | | | biennial events all over the globe. Car owners, car |
| trundled along at sedate speeds on semi empty | | | | lovers, enthusiasts, dilettantes or even families out |
| roads often just a little faster than a boy on his | | | | for a Sunday… all are welcome to these |
| bicycle. Ohhs and ahhs would follow in its wake. | | | | extravaganzas. The cars reign supreme hogging all |
| These classic cars were lovingly tended by their | | | | the attention and for those few hours, all |
| owners, polished for hours till the accessories | | | | attention remains riveted on them. |