The grounds of the historic Calcutta Cricket & Football Club (CCFC) on a typical December morning are usually defined by the rhythmic thud of leather on willow and tactical shouts of football practice. But on December 28, the 1792-established institution traded its usual sporting soundtrack for the refined hum of historic engines.
The CCFC-EIMG Vintage Car Display 2025 transformed the rear parking arena into a living museum, marking the first official affiliation between the club and the Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) — a Kolkata-based association of heritage vehicle collectors and restorers dedicated to preserving and showcasing vintage and classic automobiles through curated exhibitions and rallies.
“It was a day where the ‘timeless machines’ of Kolkata’s roads met the ‘timeless heritage’ of its oldest sports club,” said Shrivardhan Kanoria, Founder and President of EIMG.
Kanoria, who has done his MBA from England, and is a globally recognised collector and restorer, with wins at the Oberoi Concours, Cartier Travel with Style & 21 Gun Salute Concours, inherited his passion from his late father, the pioneer Shashi Kumar Kanoria. For this event, he hand-picked 35 automotive jewels that represented the pinnacle of historic motoring.
Members and guests who usually flock to the club for fitness and camaraderie found themselves captivated by the mechanical artistry on display. Among the 35 vehicles, several “show-stoppers” drew significant crowds. For EIMG, this served as the fourth of the eight motoring events for their vintage season. For CCFC, it was a reminder of the club’s role as a custodian of culture beyond the pitch.
As the sun climbed over the grounds, the sight of members discussing engine strokes and coachwork instead of batting averages signaled a resounding success.
“The show featured 35 hand-picked vintage and classic cars. Notable entries included a Bentley and Rolls-Royce from the Shrivardhan Kanoria collection. A 1938 Rolls-Royce belonging to Avik Naha, a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe belonging to SK Lahiri, a 1934 Rolls-Royce belonging to Krish Ajmera, among other beauties. This display is the fourth event out of eight motoring events EIMG has targeted for the current vintage season in Kolkata. Due to the success of the collaboration, both CCFC and EIMG expressed a desire to make this an annual event,” said Shrivardhan Kanoria.
The synergy was so palpable that the key stakeholders confirmed the intent to make this a permanent fixture on the club’s calendar.
The collaboration was sparked by Himanshu Ajmera, a member of both CCFC and EIMG, who acted as the primary bridge to bring these two historic worlds together, along with participating in his beautiful 1949 MG TC. His Company, Accord Capital Markets Pvt Ltd, even sponsored the show.
From CCFC’s side, Entertainment in-charge Vivek Bhasin and his co-executive committee member, Gagan Arora played their part well. Under the expert eye of Shrivardhan Kanoria, the display was curated not just for variety but for historical significance.