Chevrolet Deluxe Deshmukh’s ‘second love’

 

 

AT 77 years young, Chandrakant Deshmukh remains a towering figure in the world of vintage automobiles and firearms, embodying the energy and enthusiasm of someone half his age. Founding President of the Cent India Vintage Automotive Association (CIVAA), Deshmukh has dedicated decades to preserving automotive heritage. His immense and in-depth knowledge of all types of automobiles, especially Jeeps, combined with his expertise in firearms is a rare combination. Deshmukh is a man who has travelled to every corner of the country in several automobiles. As he recalls, “I have widely travelled from East to West and North to South of India on all types of automobiles. I am a person who has tilled his farms with an Eicher 1956 model air-cooled single-cylinder engine, with two inverted springs in the front connecting the driving wheels to act as axles, which the modern generation may never have imagined.”

 

The veteran automobile restorer owns plenty of vintage beauties, but there is one legend too close to his heart. “Having owned Chevrolet Impalas, Mercedes, Fords, and Jeeps, I have a Chevrolet Deluxe of 1951 with a 2940cc petrol engine and weighing almost 1.5 tons. It is my second love ... the first one obviously being my wife,” said Deshmukh. His legacy is further continued by his son Abhijeet, who is equally fond of automobiles and firearms, and has several achievements in shooting. The founder member of CIVAA will be showcasing his legendary 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe at the Rotary-The Hitavada Vintage Car Rally, to be held in association with CIVAA at St Ursula High School ground on December 28. With these automotive beauties and his own impressive personality, the septuagenarian makes heads turn in admiration, wonder, and awe as he drive his vintage Jeep, classic Mercedes, or the iconic Chevrolet to his farms in Pardi on Katol Road with his family, son and grandchildren.