By Aakash Kumar New Delhi [India], Mar. 1 : On a bright Sunday (February 26) afternoon, when over 90 vintage vehicles and 25 classic motorcycles were displayed during the 51st edition of The Stateman Vintage (and) Classic Car Rally at the national stadium, there was something peculiar about a blue soft-roofed Studebaker, having name 'Killer'.
As soon as it made its way through into the national stadium, the final exhibition area, a kid shouted, "Look mumma, that's the killer car." But the question was "Who was killed by the 'Killer Car'?" Javed Rehman, son of Mujeeb Rehman, the owner of the car, finally revealed, "Nathuram Godse was using this car when he shot Mahatma Gandhi dead." The 1930-made to order Studebaker holds a six-cylinder, 3,500-cc engine to generate 35 BHP.
It can run up to a speed of 160 km/hr, as claimed by the owner. As per reports, the car was a made on an order placed by the Maharaja of Jaunpur in 1930. On January 30, 1948, Godse drove the Studebaker to Birla House, and shot three bullets in to Mahatma Gandhi's chest.
The car was sealed after that day and was auctioned in 1978. "In 2000, my brother Parvej Siddhiqui bought in 2000," tells Javed. "We conducted an open heart surgery on it. The last restoration of the car was done 17 years back. We made it from scratch. The car has a mileage of about four km/litre," he adds. Javed, who deals in diamond trading, however, refused to reveal the amount in which the car was bought by their family in 2000.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had in last week of February gave a nod to the rally, making these vintage cars an exception to its order banning vehicles older than 15 years from plying on Delhi roads.
"We go to rallies. We are aware of the NGT orders but we take this car on roads twice or thrice a month during night time.
If the car keeps on standing at the garage, it would add to the maintenance cost," Javed said. The event held on Sunday witnessed a spectacular rollout of classic, handpicked, vintage automobiles that were flagged off from Statesman House on Barakhamba Road by Naresh Kumar(IAS) chairman NDMC.
Source: ANI
