Bombay To Mahabaleshwar Motor Car Rally In 1906
An old 1906 German print of a rare motor car rally from Bombay to Mahabaleshwar. With an impressive assemblage of cars in 1906. This is undoubtedly a rare glimpse of a motor car rally of British-era Bombay (now Mumbai). The print is a cutting from a 1906 issue of a German sports magazine “Sport I M Bild.”. Translated the title reads- From automobile sport in India: Begin the reliability run Bombay – Mahabaleshwar and back January 1906. It is apparent the car rally was from Bombay to Mahabaleshwar and back.
An astonishing array of motor cars are lined up. When considering 1906 was just the dawn of automobiles. The participants seem to be Europeans, with a sprinkling of Indians. Also visible is a minuscule number of European lady participants with their dainty hats and parasols. None of them seem to be daunted by the long drive to Mahabaleshwar and back. What looks like an outline of a fire engine is vaguely visible towards the back. The rally seems to have been planned well even for impending emergencies. A great number of local Indian spectators can also be seen at the sidelines. Click on the photo for better view.
Read also Rare photos of one of India’s first women drivers and other transport miracles.
Did you know- the first road-worthy cars didn’t come with a steering wheel. Instead, they had a lever that not only looked like a joystick but also functioned like one.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#16)., Old Courthouse Street Calcutta – Two Old Postcards 1905., Parsi Beauty Mumbai – Old Postcard 1908., Maharaja of Patiala And His Chrysler Car – Old Photo 1929., Rare Nilgiri Mountain Railway Steam Locomotive Blueprint
