The MG Car Club of Abingdon welcomed a businessman from India and his family who drove a classic MG 7,500 miles back to its birthplace.

Ahmedabad based Daman Thakore and his 75-year-old father, 21-year-old daughter and friends driving a backup vehicle, hit the road in their 1950 MG Y Type Tourer for the two-month journey, which began on August 15.

Oxford Mail: Sterling silver hood monogram of ‘Sardar Patel Statue of Unity’ adorning Lal Pari

The Y Type was restored over a two-year period before the trip, together with six years of meticulous planning for the journey. Parts were acquired from around the world, with Mr Thakore also travelling to the UK to acquire items.

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To ensure the car would withstand all conditions, they tested it in harsh temperatures in excess of 45 degree Celsius and even drove the vehicle in three feet of water.

He said “The car has spent all its life in India, my dad buying it 48 years ago when I was two, so this is a very special journey to bring it back to the UK.

“Our adventure with Lal Pari, or Red Angel as we lovingly call her has been inspired by bedtime stories my mum read to me as a youngster, and I’m so proud to now be able to complete these journeys.

“Lal Pari spreads happiness and joy wherever it goes, and we wish to share that with the rest of the world.”

The car was supported by a campervan, which contained spare parts as well as filming equipment, and Lal Pari’s support group.

Oxford Mail: The Y Type’s support vehicle, Lal Pari Ki Saheli

The MG travellers called this vehicle Lal Pari Ki Saheli, translating to the ‘Friend of Red Angel’.

The journey which started on August 15, India’s 77th Independence Day, took over two months to complete and crossed 16 countries, which included Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany and France before reaching its final destination of Abingdon on October 31.

“A sterling silver hood monogram of ‘Sardar Patel Statue of Unity' has been specially commissioned to adorn the hood of Lal Pari and will be gifted to the people of UK from the people of India on conclusion of the journey, and with the hope that it can be presented to King Charles III,” said Mr Thakore.

On their arrival at The MG Car Club’s Kimber House in Abingdon, they were welcomed by the staff and members, who had put on a display of cars including two Y-Type saloons.

John Day, the club president, welcomed Mr Thakore and his family on behalf of the club.

In attendance was the Deputy Lieutenant of Oxford, Mrs Felicity Dick, who was presented with the Statue of Unity by Mr Thakore.

Mrs Dick replied that she would endeavour to personally present the Sardar Patel Statue of Unity personally to King Charles III.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1