Family Heirlooms On Wheels

 

 

 

A WORKING 1922 Harley Davidson J-model with a side-car is eye-catching even for those who may be a vintage automobile enthusiast but the looks of very beginning of ‘bike industry’, that too alive and roaring with full shine and shimmer is truly a treat to make us wonder about the old days. Rajesh Gupta, a 64-year-old transportation business owner, possesses the original masterpiece straight out from Milwaukee, USA since its conception in 1922. The bike was first purchased by Rajesh’s grandfather, and now is under the ownership of his son Ramchandra and Laxman Gupta. The bike is registered under the number CPB 309, which is special in terms of defining where the bike was imported from. “We haven’t made any changes in the bike and it still retains its original shining military green colour,” informed Rajesh.

 

The bike’s hand-operated gear lever, foot operated clutch and the company fitted side-car makes it extremely unique and eye-catching; it boasts a 988CC V-Twin engine producing a whopping 7.7 horsepower. “This vehicle is extremely close to my heart not because it is an old motorcycle, but because a part of the family’s legacy is preserved for nearly a century in the bike,” said Rajesh. Rajesh is also proud owner of ‘Rajmata’ which used to ferry passengers from Nagpur to Hingna by Rajesh’s father. The vintage passenger traveller will also be on exhibit during the Rotary-The Hitavada Vintage Car Rally on December 28 at St Ursula ground.

 

The vehicle is a Chevrolet Bus, registered as BYY 1140 and was manufactured in the USA. “My family has been the first and only owner of this bus. It was originally purchased by my father Late Laxminarayan Gupta, and today it is lovingly maintained by my sons, Ramchandra and Laxman, making it the third generation of our family to take care of this vehicle,” Rajesh informed. “For us, it is not just a bus, but a cherished family member.” The bus is powered by a 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine producing 29.4 horsepower, and can still be started by manually cranking the engine with a handle. It also features a wooden steering wheel and can seat 25 passengers. “This bus was the very first vehicle of my father’s transport company, LN Gupta Transport Company, and our family continues to remain in the same business. The bus is considered no less than a goddess to us and we are extremely proud to keep it running even today. All maintenance and servicing work is done at our own workshop,” Rajesh added. “Vintage vehicles are a symbol of our history and engineering heritage. Preserving them is not just about maintaining machines, it is about honouring the stories, memories, and generations connected to them,” Rajesh signed off.