Vintage Car Ride in Kolkata

While the tales of culinary adventures and cultural tours in Kolkata are famous world over, it’s the royal history that will leave you truly enamoured. A former capital of British India, Kolkata even today carries remnants of the erstwhile European influence. Vintage cars are not just a professional business here; utmost care is taken while passing on these family jewels.

Vintage Cars are Treated as Heirlooms

The residents of Kolkata are passionate about their cars, and this is seen in the way some of the old families have preserved cars that once belonged to their ancestors. The Eastern Motor Sports Association (EMSA) is the most famous name that comes to mind when one discusses vintage cars in Kolkata. Heritage Motor Club of Indian is another institution that helps in the preservation of vintage cars. Not all the cars are privately owned though; there are many car rental companies that give you an option to rent out vintage cars and have your moment of royalty. The top vintage car rentals in Kolkata include BookAClassic.In, Eco Rent-A-Car and Grewal Corporation, among others.

This experience, however, comes at a price. For INR 20,000-60,000, you can have your pick of a vintage wheeler and flaunt it all across the town for a day.

Explore Kolkata in a Unique Style

The rare 1946 Auburn Tourer, a Rolls Royce Limousine, the 1946 MG TC Midget, a Ford 1946, the Chevrolet Phaeton and a 1906 Renault Frères—these are only some of the gems you’ll see on the roads of Kolkata, and you know each one has a unique story to tell. The 1906 Renault Frères is probably the oldest car in the city, and belongs to the transition period between horse-drawn carriages and motor cars. Another one is said to have belonged to A.A.K. Niazi, the Pakistani general during 1971’s Bangladesh War, before it was seized by the Indian Army. A Rambler used in Bengali cinema was restored too. One of the cars, a gleaming brick-red 1926 Auburn once belonged to one of the oldest and most prosperous Bengali aristocratic families of Kolkata, known for their business acumen and proximity to the British. The Wanderer once belonged to Subhash Chandra Bose. The 1947 Chevrolet FleetMaster State Sedan once belonged to the last Maharaja of Bikaner. Could anything be more fascinating that reliving these little pieces of history?

Why Rent A Vintage Car?

We recommend a self-drive tour of Kolkata simply because you will not have to rely on public transport and taxis to get from place to place while enjoying the heritage wonders in the City of Joy. A dream holiday deserves the best, and a classic car self-drive tour around Kolkata is just what you need to add that touch of exoticism to your trip. Picture yourself winding your way through the narrow roads, with the wind blowing through your hair, while you sit back and enjoy the stunning beauty of the city and the countryside. Sounds blissful, doesn’t it?

Taking a tour of this heritage city and its magnificent buildings, dome-shaped museums, antique palazzos and elegant villas in one of these beauties is quite an experience in itself. Don’t forget to take tonnes of pictures!

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Protima Tiwary

An Army kid in pursuit of culinary nirvana, Protima Tiwary is a freelance travel writer by day and Dumbbells and Drama, a fitness blogger by night. High on love, life and sugar, she is mildly obsessed about cupcakes and to-do lists, and loves her long runs like a fat kid loves cake. While she fumbles towards fame as a writer, she believes living life with a little bit of flair and exaggeration makes things interesting.