Vintage and classic car rally reaches Peshawar

PESHAWAR: The entertainment-starved Peshawarites were quite impressed and excited with a closer look at the world’s oldest and classic cars, which reached city on Sunday.

The 7th Karachi to Khyber Vintage and Classic Car Rally was jointly organised by Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP), Land Rover and Vintage & Classic Car Club Pakistan.

The caravan of around 25 classic cars departed from Karachi on November 11, which was joined by 20 other cars from Islamabad, 25 cars from Peshawar and others. The rally had stopovers at Gambut, Rahimyar Khan, Multan and Lahore.

Those in the crowd, especially car lovers, were inspired and amused by the unique glimpses of an antique and oldest collection when the rally reached Garrison Club Peshawar. Advisor to Chief Minister for Tourism Abdul Munim was the chief guest at the function held the event at Peshawar.

Numbers of visitors along with 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 the world that we have a rich cultural heritage and also helps to project a softer image of Pakistan to the world that we love peace and tourism,” said Mohammad Tariq Khan, Secretary Sports, Tourism, Culture, Archaeology & Museums and Youth Affairs Department. He was accompanied by Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Managing Director, TCKP and other dignitaries.

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

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, which will make the event extra-ordinary and appealing for the visitors.

Talking to media, the Mushtaq Ahmad Khan said that TCKP had the honor of organising unique events & festivals for the public. The main goal of this event is to provide a platform for all classic car enthusiasts in the country and to attract the more visitors to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vintage Car Club Pakistan Asim Durrani said that the Vintage & Classic Car Club of Pakistan was the only club in Pakistan that acknowledged and paid respect to the cars of the old era and arranged events to create a common platform for classic car fans. After one night stay at Peshawar, the rally will leave for Khyber Riffle Mess, Landikotal, today (Monday).