From Austins To BSAs, Heritage Galore At Goa’s First Vintage Car And Bike Fest

It’s not often that Goa’s streets are flooded with traffic. And it’s definitely rare for the constituents of this crowd to be some absolute beauties from times past. But this was precisely the story over the weekend, as Goa Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) came together to put up the day-long Vintage Bike and Car Festival 2016 in Panjim. 

The first-of-its-kind event witnessed promising participation with a total of 83 cars and 40 bikes showing up for the flag-off at Paryatan Bhavan on Saturday. Following a two-hour rally, the vehicles were later parked at the INOX Courtyard for an exhibition that attracted visitors in the thousands, according to the organisers.

From a 1921 Citroen and a 1930s Austin to a 1941 Ford Artillery Truck  and a 1959 Mini Morris, the car pavilions displayed automobile heritage from across almost a century. Notable bikes among the present included more than half-a-dozen Lambrettas, a BSA duo and a drool-worthy Honda 400 with an in-line four-cylinder engine.

Buoyed by the success of the event, the state’s minister for tourism, Dilip Parulekar, is rooting for it to become an annual affair: “It is overwhelming to see such a huge participation at the Vintage Bike and Car Festival 2016 and it should be an annual event that will boost tourism in the state of Goa.”

The car and bike owners were also conferred prizes across various categories for their machines. The aforementioned 1921 Citroen was recognised as the best restored vintage car, while a 1942 Norton 16H took home the honours in the two-wheeler category. Winners in the classic cadre were a 1961 Fiat 500 D and a 1965 Lambretta LI 150. 

A 1964 Standard Herald and a 1962 Jawa were the indigenous winners on the occasion. Prominent among other winners were a 1968 Volkswagen 1600 L, a 1952 Lambretta, a 1946  Ford Jeep, a 1965 Mercedes Benz and a 1965 VFJ Jonga. A 1941 Ford Artillery Truck, a 1962 Escort Runabout, a 1959 Morris Mini Manor and a 1958 BSA shooting star were also among the awardees.