PESHAWAR: Young and old car lovers took a great interest in the world’s oldest and classic cars during a show at the sprawling Garrison Services’ Club here on Sunday.

“The 7th Karachi to Khyber vintage and classic car rally” was jointly organised by the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP), Classic Land Rover, and Vintage & Classic Car Club Pakistan (VCCP). The caravan of around 15 classic cars departed from Karachi on Nov 11, which was joined by 25 cars each from Islamabad and Peshawar and others.

The rally stopped over at Gambut, Rahimyar Khan, Multan, and Lahore. After participating in car show on Nov 16 at the Polo Ground Lahore, the rally headed to Islamabad on Nov 19 and finally reached Peshawar on Sunday (Nov 20). After one night stay at Peshawar Services Club, the rally would move on from Balahisar Fort (Frontier Corps HQ) to Khyber Rifles Mess in Landi Kotal.

Adviser to the Chief Minister on Tourism, Abdul Munim, was the chief guest of the event in Peshawar, said a press release issued by the TCKP here.

The crowd, including young car lovers, was inspired by the unique glimpses of an antique collection of cars when the rally reached the Garrison Club, Peshawar. A number of visitors along with the staff members of TCKP and Classic Land Rover thronged the venue to accord a warm welcome to the participants of spectacular seventh Karachi to Khyber vintage car rally.

“The aim of the event is to show to the world that we have a rich cultural heritage and to project a softer image of Pakistan to the world. We love peace and tourism,” said by Mohammad Tariq Khan, secretary tourism, culture and youth affairs department.

The participating vintage and classic car models ranged from the 1940s to 1980s. Around 15 classics cars from Karachi participated in the rally which was joined by other 10 cars from Lahore, 25 from Islamabad and as many from Peshawar.

The unique cars collection included Hupmobile, Rolls Royce Silver Wraith (1939), MG TD (1950), Humber Hawk (1957), Ford Thunderbird (1960), Ford Mustang (1964), Austin Mini (1967), Alfa Romeo, Mercedes 108s, MGB, Austin-Healey, MGA Roadster, Chevrolet Corvette (1982), Peugeot 404, Mini Clubman 1275GT and others, making the event extraordinary and appealing for the visitors.

Talking to mediapersons, TCKP managing director Mushtaq Ahmad Khan said that TCKP had been organising unique events and festivals for the public. He said that the goal of this event was to provide a platform for all classic car enthusiasts in the country and to attract more visitors to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

VCCP president and CEO Asim Durrani said that the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan was the only club in the country that acknowledged the cars of the old era and events to create a common platform for classic car fans.

Published in Dawn November 21st, 2016