KOCHI: Not many in Kerala can boast of an original look-alike of Cheverlot Bel air, the way entrepreneur Baburaj and his son can. This vintage 1957 model which was purchased by the father-son duo from the illustrious Tata family in 1990, surely speaks volumes of the classic cheverolet model which caught the world by storm towards the middle of the 20th century.
“We had an eye on this model for some time. When we purchased the car, it was quite in working condition. But it had looked like a run-down model. There was a lot of work involved,” shares Baburaj who purchased the car for Rs 30,000. Today, a potential buyer has sought Rs 20 lakh for the car. Baburaj’s son, who is a die-hard vintage car fan ... had the turquoise blue colour paint customised. Ever since the restoration, it is the first time that the vintage beauty is being exhibited at the Heritage Motor Show 2016, which concluded in Kochi on Sunday.
Apart from the Ben air, the other attractions of the show are Britain’s Maurice minor which is a special version of the Maurice motors and a pioneer model in many ways. A version of the Hindustan 14, which has been handed down to three generations is the only vintage car at the show which has remained within the family.
The 1919-make Fiat, a dashing black model which definitely takes the viewer to a trip through memory lane with its old, quintessential style, is the oldest in the bloc at the Vintage Show. There are other varieties of the FIAT at display like the Milecento true to its name (Mili: 1000, Cento: 100 (century). The Dodge Kingsway, Volswagon Beatle, the first model of the Skoda and SIMCA are a class of its own.