‘Dodge Kingsway

 

 

 

 

“SOME cars don’t just make heads turn, they tell a story of promises, identity and family pride,” feels Narendra Madhukar Atkare owner of the beautiful 1957 Dodge Kingsway. Among the many beauties gracing Rotary-The Hitavada Vintage Car Rally on December 28 at St Ursula School ground, the Dodge Kingsway will command effortless admiration from people. “The Kingsway represents a unique era of local assembly of American cars, offering iconic looks, a huge 4.0L engine and American engineering with right-hand drive, making it a beloved and sought-after classic in India,” said Atkare, a 50-year-old businessman. “For as long as I can remember, owning a vintage car wasn’t just a dream, it was a promise I made to myself and my family. Ten years ago, that promise came true when we found this vintage beauty.

 

The moment I saw it, I felt an instant connection, as if it had been waiting for us all along. Bringing it home wasn’t just a purchase; it was the beginning of a new chapter in our lives,” added Atkare on becoming the sixth owner. His love for the car grew after his family adopted the vintage car as their own. “Over the past decade, it gave us an identity. When on road, people stop, smile, and take out their cameras. Families request photos, children run toward it with excitement, and strangers admire it as if it holds magic. And the best part is seeing my kids’ faces light up when people say, ‘Wow!’ and start clicking pictures. Hearing them proudly say, ‘Daddy, people are taking photos of our car!’, is a moment that fills my heart every single time.” Kingsway has been more than a car for him, more like a lifestyle changer. “

 

This vintage treasure has brought fame to our town, but more importantly, it has brought warmth to our hearts. It turned us into ‘that family with the beautiful vintage car,’ and it created a bond between us and the community. Every honk, every thumbs-up, every compliment is a memory stitched into the fabric of our lives. “So the next time you see a vintage vehicle, pause for a moment, appreciate the passion behind its preservation and the love that keeps it alive. Celebrate those who maintain these treasures, not for fame, but to keep history rolling on the streets. “Let’s encourage more people to preserve, restore, and respect vintage machines, because in protecting them, we protect a part of our collective soul,” Atkare concluded.