There is something intensely amazing about a century, whether on the cricket field with a bat and ball, in the cardio system in the case of the human body, or with cars on the road and in restored beauty – a century is worthy of a celebration. Both by participants and others involved, onlookers, bystanders, organisers, supporters, opponents – everybody.
It’s not just about survival, but about survival worthy of a milestone, because very few entities reach this landmark. And that’s especially the case when the said entity is an automobile manufacturer, going back into the history of the internal combustion engine. Take a look in history, and you can clearly see how hundreds, maybe even thousands, of automobile brands globally have simply vanished – not because they were good or bad, or because of any tangible single set of reasons, but they simply were not able to last the distance.
So what do you when you have the iconic Chevrolet brand celebrating its 100th? Especially in India, where, well before the Germans came and took over the mantle, a Chevrolet was the ultimate aspirational vehicle? Many movies would give you an idea of the popularity of this brand then. Go back to the Tanuja / Rajesh Khanna blockbuster of the early '70s, Haathi Mere Saathi, where a Chevrolet Impala convertible emerges eventually as almost the biggest star of the movie – MRZ 2233 – up against the biggest stars of the time, and a fleet of elephants too. Cinematic dreams apart, the Chevrolet was what American aspirations were all about. For another generation of post-Independence India, it was about dreaming of going to the US, and then returning to India with massive American cars, preferably Impalas.
So, on a pleasant Sunday in October, Chevy, in India, organised a vintage and classic car rally. Over 25 gaily decked out Chevys of all shapes and sizes, but mostly big, from the early 20’s through to the 70’s, were brought together at the Claridges, from where they went on a grand tour of the city.
We’ll let the photos do the talking for the bowtie.
