The 1904 vintage car during the rally in Shillong on Sunday. A Telegraph picture

Shillong, Nov. 16: “Ring out the old, ring in the new...” There is still some time left for the particular joyous chorus to rend the air as another year nears its end.

But in the Meghalaya capital today, the old virtually took over from the new as a bevy of beauties from the bygone era rolled down its roads and became the cynosure of all eyes at a vintage car rally.

Among them was a 1904 Ford T model which Richard Attenborough rode in the film Gandhi. Honsen Lyngdoh, who owns the car, had purchased it for only Rs 250 from a British national. Lyngdoh continues to maintain the car, which is over 100 years old, with much care.

“The British gentleman, whom I remember as Creed, had in 1960 priced the car at Rs 500. But after I paid the amount, he returned Rs 250 to me”, Lyngdoh said. The vehicle ventures out only once a year, during Christmas. “During winter, alcohol has to be poured into the radiator to get it started.”

Organised by Antique Wheels of the Northeast, the rally saw many jeeps used in World War II. As many as 30 vintage vehicles including some from Guwahati and Tezpur featured in the rally. A Harley Davidson motorbike and jeeps like the Ford A, Dodge weapons carrier and Jaguar mark 4 rolled down the streets of the Meghalaya capital today. As the vintage cars chugged off from the old Assembly at Police Bazar, the new vehicles made way for them, with traffic coming to a standstill.

Ashoke Lyngdoh, the secretary of the Antique Wheels of the Northeast, said the rally aimed at bringing together all the ancient vehicles on to one platform. Vehicles from Tezpur, Jowai, Guwahati and Kohima also featured.

Darshan Sing Laloo and B. Plain of the Jaintia Hills purchased two vintage cars from the Indian Army, which were used during World War II, due to lack of proper communication facilities in Jowai. “Around 32 years back, I shelled out Rs 3,000 to possess a vintage jeep,” Laloo said.

Y.S. Shullai, who owns the only Harley Davidson motorbike in the Northeast, said despite the cost regularly incurred for the maintenance of the vintage vehicle, he is happy to keep it considering its antique value.