Starting today, on the 13th of August, 2023, the Thakore family spanning three generations is set to make history by attempting to become the first Indians to drive a 1950 car, registered in India all the way to London via road.
This remarkable journey will cover 12,000 kilometres and span across 16 countries. The ambitious endeavour has been two years in the making, involving meticulous planning and extensive restoration efforts that have sourced parts from various corners of the globe. The 73-year-old vehicle, lovingly named “Lal Pari” or “Red Angel,” has been meticulously prepared to take on this challenging expedition.
The expedition team is led by Daman Thakore, supported by Deval Thakore (Father), Devanshi Thakore (Daughter), Vinay Panjwani (Director of Photography), and Mukesh Bararia (Vintage Car Expert).
The moniker “Lal Pari” stems from cherished bedtime stories shared by our mother during our formative years. This journey is a dedicated effort to relive those tales of adventure. Notably, the name has struck a chord across different demographics and transcends geographical boundaries, resonating with individuals of all age groups. “Lal Pari” possesses a unique ability to bring smiles to faces wherever it travels, evident by its online presence with over 620,000 views on Facebook and an additional 120,000 views on YouTube.
The underlying mission of the expedition is to spread joy and facilitate people-to-people interactions in a world often burdened by stress. As we journey through various countries, we plan to visit vintage car clubs along the way. As a symbol of global unity and the interconnectedness of humanity, an exclusive silver hood ornament portraying the world-renowned Statue of Unity has been crafted by the esteemed jewellers, C Krishniah Chetty. This emblem will grace the hood of “Lal Pari,” conveying a message of unity amidst the challenges inherent in such a venture.
To facilitate this challenging endeavour, our journey will be supported by the “Lal Pari ki Saheli,” the first Made in India campervan. Moreover, the implementation of solar panels will aid in mitigating the electricity consumption during our stays.
Our expedition will commence from Ahmedabad and proceed to the Statue of Unity, then onward to the Gateway of India in Mumbai before our vehicles are shipped to Dubai. The journey will then traverse through countries including UAE, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium and France before culminating in the United Kingdom. Our pace will encompass approximately 200-250 kilometres per day.
Stay updated with their journey by following them on their social media handles: @mylalpari. For further information, contact Daman Thakore at +919825010119 or mylalpari@gmail.com.
