The quiet charm of Pune’s Sunday morning was briefly replaced by the rhythm of Italian-engineered engines as the Bombay Fiat Club celebrated its second anniversary in traditional style. The gathering saw 118 meticulously restored Fiat cars channel vintage vibes. Founded in early 2024 to preserve the legacy of the Premier Padmini and its Fiat 1100 ancestors, the club has quickly become a cornerstone of the classic car community.
(Photo Jignesh Mistry)
We have no registration fee, no membership process. Your Fiat car is your entry pass to the club. This year we had 118 entries and this was perhaps one of the largest gatherings of Fiats in the country. This isn’t just a hobby; it’s custodianship -Sambit Patnaik, founder of Bombay Fiat Club
ADMIRING THE BEAUTIES: Various Fiat 1100 models (Photo Jignesh Mistry)
VINTAGE VALUE: A 1934 Fiat Balilla (Photo Jignesh Mistry)
The second anniversary featured a diverse lineup including the rare Fiat 500 Topolino, the elegant Millecento, Select, Super select, President, Padmini and the Premier 118 NE. Beyond the aesthetic appeal of gleaming chrome and pastel paintwork, the event served as a vital exchange for knowledge for rare parts and technical expertise.
HEAVY-DUTY OFFROADER: The Fiat Campagnola (Photo Jignesh Mistry)
Neville Gandhi, co-founder and an advocate, says, “The idea was to encourage these Fiat owners to get on roads and move the cars around. Many people came from Pune and Mumbai, and some even drove all the way from Goa and Hyderabad.
COLOUR ME YELLOW: The classic Premier Padmini (Photo Jignesh Mistry)
RARE AND PHOTOGENIC: The Fiat 500 Giardiniera (Photo Jignesh Mistry)
“My connection with Fiat goes back to 1994 through my uncle’s car. Unfortunately the car was sold. It’s a brand that you get used to. So, later, I bought a Premier Padmini, 1987 model and I am also restoring a friend’s 1955 Fiat. – Yogesh Raut, a participant
The event, celebrating the legacy of the Premier 118 NE cars, had 118 vintage models turning up in style (Photo Jignesh Mistry)
(Photo Jignesh Mistry)