The iconic red walls along the Judges Court Road in Kolkata, which once housed the famed Alipore Central Correctional Home, recently welcomed hundreds of visitors to marvel at the sight of classic and vintage cars and bikes.

The century-old establishment once again served as host to the Vintage and Classic Car and Bike Show organised by Classic Drivers Club (CDC), which entered into its second edition. The show is also recognised by the Federation International des Vehicules Anciens, which is the worldwide federative association of historic automobile clubs.

As the Sunday crowd stepped through the towering doors of this renowned symbol of societal order and rehabilitation, eager for a glimpse into the lives of inmates, their eyes were drawn to the vibrant signage that read, ‘The Alipore Museum & Classic Drivers Club Presents The Vintage & Classic Car & Bike Show.’

As one entered the courtyard through the gate, their eyes were immediately drawn to a stunning display of vehicles—cars elegantly arranged in a semi-circle on the left and bikes lined up neatly in the center. To the right, another delightful sight awaited, captivating both seasoned car enthusiasts and the young, eager crowd.

The excitement didn’t end there. As one walked past the exhibits on the right, another collection of motorcycles came into view. Stepping back and entering a side lane that led to a former jail storage space, visitors were greeted by a line-up of classic cars, featuring icons such as the Hindustan Motors Ambassador, Contessa and Willys MB.

The corridors were bustling with the murmur of the crowd that crossed the 6,000 mark by 3pm. Sound of camera clicking resonated through those thick walls. People from far-off places had come to lay eyes of these historical masterpieces that were still in optimum shape.

A man in his early 70s moved from car to car in a wheelchair, guided by his granddaughter. He paused in front of a 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, lost in nostalgia, while his granddaughter snapped a selfie in front of the magnificent machine.

The automobiles had come from far-off places like Jamshedpur to give a glimpse of history. A total of 89 vehicles were exhibited including 64 cars and 25 motorcycles.

The Ford Model A (1930) and Chevrolet Fleetmaster (1947) stood proudly among the elegant line-up, their gleaming chrome reflecting the soft afternoon sun. Nearby, the Morris Minor (1951) and Austin 7 Ruby (1935) evoked memories of a bygone era, while the unmistakable curves of the Volkswagen Beetle (1958) drew curious onlookers.

As visitors moved through the display, the Rolls-Royce 20 HP (1923) stood as a testament to British luxury, positioned beside the sleek Triumph Spitfire (1963), a symbol of spirited motoring.

The two-wheeler section was just as mesmerising, with the legendary Yamaha RX 100 (1985) capturing the hearts of many, alongside the timeless Royal Enfield Bullet (1960s) and the Italian charm of the Vespa VBA 150 (1956). As the afternoon crowd swelled, nostalgia filled the air, with every turn revealing another masterpiece that had once ruled the roads, now standing as tributes to automotive history.

Speaking to Motoring Trends on the condition of anonymity, a car mechanic responsible for the upkeep of some of the cars said, “It is not easy to maintain these jewels, as original spare parts are hard to find, especially in the classic segment. Moreover, duplicate spare parts have flooded the market, hindering the performance of these powerful machines. I recently sourced a monogram for the owner of a 1962 Ambassador, which was transported from Bengaluru for a whopping INR 15,000 after a six-month search.”

He noted that the cars are taken to the roads at least twice a week and the engines are powered each day to keep them in running condition.

Besides the exhibition, an award ceremony was held at the auditorium to honour the owners, though it was strictly limited to CDC members. The event also included a special programme recognising the unsung craftsmen who work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain historic vehicles in pristine condition.

As the sun set over the historic walls of Alipore Jail Museum, the echoes of admiration lingered in the air. The event was more than just a showcase; it was a celebration of automotive heritage, craftsmanship and nostalgia. With each gleaming car and roaring bike, the past came alive, reminding everyone of the timeless charm of these mechanical marvels.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Citroen India, in partnership with its dealership La Maison Nanavati, has completed the handover of 51 Citroen C3 CNG vehicles to the Luthra Group. The ceremony took place at the Luthra Group’s headquarters in Surat.

The delivery is part of Citroen's strategy to expand its presence in tier-II and tier-III markets by providing mobility solutions to businesses and individuals.

The Citroen C3 CNG is designed for high-usage environments and daily commutes. The model includes several features tailored for the Indian market, integration of a factory-fitted CNG kit to manage running costs. A suspension system tuned specifically for local road conditions. Provisions for cabin space and air-conditioning systems designed for high-ambient temperatures.

The handover to Luthra Group represents the brand's focus on cost-efficient transportation. By targeting the regional business sector, Citroen India aims to strengthen its footprint in Gujarat and the broader Indian mobility market.

The C3 CNG is positioned as a solution for users requiring reliability and low operating expenses without compromising on ride comfort.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, a regional rural bank, for vehicle retail financing partnership on new cars, pre-owned vehicles and commercial vehicles.

This collaboration marks the 50th retail finance partner for Maruti Suzuki India. The partnership is intended to use the bank’s network to provide credit options to a range of customer profiles, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.

The partnership aims to increase the accessibility of Maruti Suzuki products through, tailored finance schemes designed for rural and regional customers.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Our partnership with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank marks a significant milestone as we onboard our 50th retail finance partner. This reinforces our commitment to making car ownership simpler and more affordable for customers across India. By expanding our reach through this strategic alliance, we aim to empower buyers with competitive, customer-friendly financing solutions that enhance the overall purchase experience. We remain focused on delivering seamless, tailored finance options, and this collaboration strengthens our vision of providing the Joy of Mobility to aspiring Indian consumers.”

Yadav S. Thakur, Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, said, “At Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, empowering customer aspirations is at the heart of everything we do. Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the automotive industry, is a strategic step towards enhancing our service offerings and delivering greater value to our customers. This collaboration aligns with our 'Customer-First' mission, enabling us to provide accessible and affordable vehicle financing solutions. We look forward to helping more individuals and families across the country realise their dream of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kia India has started production of the latest generation Seltos at its manufacturing facility in Anantapur. The company has confirmed that prices for the mid-SUV will be announced on 2 January 2026.

The Anantapur plant, established in 2019, serves as a hub for both the Indian domestic market and international exports. The facility uses automation and a local workforce to manufacture the Seltos, which was the first model produced by the company in India.

The new model is built on Kia’s K3 platform, which has been engineered to increase structural rigidity and improve suspension damping. The vehicle has grown in size compared to its predecessor to increase cabin space and stability. It has 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.  

The exterior design follows the ‘Opposites United’ philosophy, featuring a ‘Digital Tiger Face,’ LED projection headlamps, and alloy wheels with neon brake callipers.

The vehicle integrates several digital interfaces and driver assistance systems. It features an upgraded Kia Connect 2.0 suite with over-the-air (OTA) software updates and a proximity unlock function.

In terms of safety, it gets 24 features as standard, while ADAS Level 2 offers 21 autonomous features to assist the driver. The Kia Seltos SUV comes with three engine options – 1.5-litre Petrol producing 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque, 1.5 T-GDI Petrol producing 160 PS of power and 253 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 116 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque.

Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual (6MT), intelligent manual (6iMT), IVT, 7-speed dual-clutch (7DCT) and a 6-speed automatic (6AT). The model will be sold in four trims – HTE, HTK, HTX and GTX – with additional option variants and an X-Line styling pack.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director & CEO, Kia India, said, “The roll-out of the All-New Kia Seltos marks a proud milestone for Kia India. Seltos has long set benchmarks in the mid-SUV segment, and this new generation represents a bigger, bolder, and more progressive evolution shaped by insights from Indian customers. With production now underway at our Anantapur facility, our teams are fully geared to ensure customers can take delivery of their all-new Seltos without long waiting periods. We are confident the all-new Seltos will once again redefine expectations in the segment and strengthen Kia’s leadership in India."

“The new Seltos looks fantastic. The Anantapur team, together with our supplier partners, have done an outstanding job in delivering our customers a great looking, significantly bigger, technologically progressive and safe vehicle with impressive functionality and connectivity,” he said.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Stellantis-owned French automotive brand Citroen India has inaugurated its 126th point of sales and service (POS&S) facility in Chennai, continuing the expansion of its network under the ‘Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into The New’ strategy.

The new 3S (Sales, Service and Spares) facility is located at Chitlapakkam, near Chrompet. It is an extension of the partnership with VTK Automobiles, which now operates five Citroen touchpoints in the city. The outlet functions as a ‘Stellantis Brand House,’ allowing customers to access both Citroen and Jeep brands within a single space.

Since the announcement of the Citroen 2.0 strategy, the brand has increased its network by 48.6 percent. Over the last six months, the company added 43 points of sale through its network expansion programmes. Citroen expects to reach a total of 135 outlets by the end of the year, with further operations planned for the north, west, and east of India.

The strategy focuses on several pillars – deepening the domestic supply chain for India-centric products. Expanding the dealer footprint into Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations. Using digital tools and unified spaces for sales and aftersales services.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, “The expansion of Stellantis network further with VTK dealership in Chennai marks another important step in Citroen and Jeep India’s network growth strategy. Chennai is a key market for us, and this upgraded facility will enable us to serve our customers better with a seamless sales and ownership experience. Aligned with our Citroen 2.0 strategy, we remain committed to strengthening our dealer partnerships and building a robust, customer-centric network across the country.”

Kumar Priyesh, Director Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “We have grown our network by almost 48.6 percent since we announced the Citroen 2.0 strategy and have been able to expand our operations in different parts of country: adding tier 2/3 locations while further strengthening in Metro/ Tier 1 cities. Through project Visitar, Network Expansion Program and expansion in new geographies we added over 43 POS in the last 6 months and are already in advanced stages to start additional operations in North, West and Eastern parts of the country and expected to close the year with 135 POS for Citroen.”

Sree Venkata Teja Kethineni, Dealer Principal, VTK Automobiles, said, “We’re happy to partner to this pivotal shift in automotive retail, proudly representing Jeep and Citroen. Our dual-brand strategy empowers us to deliver a truly elevated and distinctive experience – whether customers seek rugged performance or refined sophistication. With passion, professionalism and personalised care at the core, our team is committed to exceeding expectations and upholding the global standards these iconic brands represent.”

The facility includes a service centre equipped with diagnostics and digital tools. Staff members are trained across both Jeep and Citroen product lines to provide technical support and product information.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!