LAHORE: The Vintage Car Rally on Tuesday provided Lahorites a maiden opportunity to watch some 40 classic vehicles rolling in front of them on the city thoroughfares.
There was Roll OB of 1936, Austin 10 of 1941, a Jeep of 1942, Humber Pullman of 1949, Chevrolet of 1950, Willys Jeep of 1952, Austin Princess of 1958 and Fiat of 1959. A Mazda of 1970 was the `youngest’ vehicle taking part in the rally that was part of the ongoing Lahore Shopping Festival.
The rally started from the parking area of Liberty Market and culminated in front of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry building after passing through Gulberg’s Main Boulevard and Jail Road.
Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhud Ahmad Khan was the chief guest at the starting point where scores of families had gathered, with youngsters capturing the classic vehicles in their cameras, slightly delaying the start of rally.
Rana Mashhud said on the occasion the festival had given a lease of life to the residents of the city who were looking for such beautiful functions. He said the Punjab government would continue to support all such events aimed at strengthening the economy of the country.
The participants were greeted throughout their route by people who had gathered along Gulberg’s Main Boulevard and Jail Road in good numbers. At the culminating point, the participants were received by the chamber officials and given shields.
Rally sponsor and Trafco Tracking Chief Executive Tahir Malik told Dawn the event would be an annual feature of Lahore. “The response of Lahorites was tremendous and encouraging. We will arrange Vintage Car Rally in March next year,” he said.
“Owned by the family of Nawab of Bahawalpur, the Austin Prince of 1958 model was used by Queen Elizabeth during her maiden visit to Pakistan in February 1960,” said Malik.
CURIOUS ONLOOKERThe start of the Vintage Car Rally on Tuesday proved to be a unique experience for a four-year-old.
Ahmad Wasay, a pre-nursery student, had come to the rally along with an uncle who was briefing him on each vehicle while taking their photographs.
“Chachu! Yeh pehlay slow motion mein kiyoun chal rahi hain? Race mein tao slow motion baad mein hota hai (Uncle! Why are these vehicles moving in slow motion first? Cars in race are shown later in slow motion,” asked a bit surprised Wasay.
The car racing enthusiast had watched several races on sports channels. Cars took the start with high speed even at a race he watched last evening.
“It is real, child. In fact, old people and old cars move slow,” responded his uncle.