FHVI's Royal Classic Car Drive to Mysore

The recently formed Federation of Historic Vehicles of India (FHVI) held its inaugural event on 30th Sep and 1st October, with 50 classic cars being flagged of from the magnificent Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore. FIVA (Fdration Internationale des Vhicules Anciens) president Patrick Rollet participated with his wife Julie as well as Peter and Suzie Noble, the famous couple, entered in their 1924 Lanchester. A Sri Lankan contingent also took part in cars provided or arranged by Dr Ravi Prakash, the president of the FHVI. Thanks to Doc, this writer and his wife were also very kindly loaned a 1947 MG TC.

The participants with the cars lined up at the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore

Mythological figures entertained participants at the start of the Royal Classic Car Drive to Mysore

The drive from Bangalore to Mysore with some nicely-planned halts was, of course, nice, but it was the grand parade through the historic city of Mysore that was the highlight. Thousands turned out to view the vintage and classic cars and the enthusiastic crowd response makes me believe that historical car events if organised and publicised well, have serious potential and a great future in India.

The classic convoy consisting of 50 vehicles en route to Mysore

This writer and his wife participated in a 1947 MG TC kindly loaned by Dr. Ravi Prakash

The grand parade culminated at the Indo-Saracenic style Mysore Palace, which was illuminated with over 100,000 bulbs. The local authorities also got the elephants that are used during the Dussehra festival, to come out and pose with the cars! All participants stayed at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel in Mysore and with the 50 historic cars parked there, it was a stunning sight. The participants were invited for lunch to the Mysore Race Club and dinner was at the Windflower Resort. On both occasions, the cars were strategically parked in a dramatically panoramic manner. Overdrive hopes we have many more such historical car events in India.

The parade through the streets of Mysore attracted huge crowds

The participants were greeted warmly and welcomed with cheers and even flowers

Thousands turned out to watch the vintage and classic car parade in Mysore

The elephants that are used during the Dussehra festival posing with the cars at the Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace was illuminated with about 100,000 bulbs and the display of cars in front of it was spectacular

Magic of Mysore Palace and Classic Cars

Thousands came out to see this sight

Scenes from a bygone era were recreated during the Royal Classic Drive to Mysore

All participants stayed at the Lalitha Mahal Palace in Mysore and the parade also started from here

The Lalitha Mahal was specially lit up for the event and it was a fantastic setting for parking and displaying the classic cars

Peter Noble and his wife Suzie took part in their 1924 Lanchester

A 1933 Graham leads the classic convoy through the streets of Mysore, the royal city

Classic cars look best in sepia-toned B&W photos

A pagal gymkhana was held in the Lalitha Mahal grounds and Bob in the 1947 MG TC was amongst the fastest in the cars made before 1950 category

The flexing of muscles by the Ford in the gymkhana drew lots of cheers

Dr Ravi Prakash blazed around the track in his 1961 Jaguar E-Type

Dinner at the Windflower Resort was served in shamianas fronted by the classic cars

The MG driven by Bob and his wife Madhu ran flawlessly

Images: Sanket Patel