Vintages set sights for Jaffna
The Vintage Car Owners Club ( VCOC), Sri Lanka’s Pioneer Motoring Club that succeeded the Veteran Car Club of Ceylon, in a bid to prove the “might” of Vintage Vehicles in Sri Lanka, is organising a drive from Colombo to Jaffna, in the “Oldest of the Old” motorcars of the Vintage Era.
This, no doubt, is a grueling challenge to the vehicles and its owners, as most of the participating vehicles are more than 75-years-old. Age has not deterred the VCOC members who have proven the reliability of their Vintage cars, with the annual drive to Galle, conducted for many years, and hence, the drive to Jaffna would prove yet another feather in the VCOC's cap. It would also serve to protect Sri Lanka's Motoring Heritage which one could be proud of, considering the large numbers of motorcars imported into this little isle.
The VCOC has embarked upon many programmes for the current year, with its main aim to secure “Heritage” status to the motoring past of Ceylon. It is a matter of National pride that, motorcars registered in the turn of the 20th century, are still in running condition, with humble thanks to the loyal owners who have protected these and, in most instances, having refused to sell these “national treasures” to foreign ownership, though offered princely sums very enticing to most owners. This is the commitment owners of these “Vintage Delights” share, and one would say the movement deserves its rightful place as a protected Heritage of Lanka.
It is also a proud fact that Ceylon was one of the pioneer countries to organise an “Old Crocks” Rally, way back in 1953, which probably may have been a first in Asia. It is recorded, the Rally began at Lake Spill Road at Galle Face and the “Crocks” went on a winding journey via the high- level road, ending at the Mt Lavinia Hotel, where they were greeted by the Mayor of DehiwelaMt Lav i n i a , M a j o r L . V. Gooneratne. This was the brainchild of H. C. Pieris and his colleagues Edward Mason, T. B. Murrel and W. R. Daniels, who went on to form the Veteran Car Club of Ceylon.
The Club has also expanded its membership with owners of motor vehicles registered from CE to EN category, which was introduced in 1940 and ended in 1956 with the “Sri” status coming into effect in 1957. One would recall the very first “Sri” Registration given to Sir John Kotelawela’s Cadillac, which was registered “1Sri 1”.
The drive to Jaffna would rekindle memories of a bygone era of motoring, where the peninsula was a hive of activity for most motoring franchise holders who maintained well- stocked Branch workshops to cater to the car loving public of the North, who had a distinct loyalty towards Austin and Morris motorcars at the time.
The event is planned for March, and the Club expects a large turnout of the A- Z series vehicles, along with the younger CE-EN generation of motorcars joining the event, to make it a historic event that would revive the “Romance of Motoring” of yesteryear.
Those keen on participating could contact Mahesh Mallawarathci on 0112 366 111 or Hercil Fernando on 0112 653 535.