Love classic cars? India just made it easier to import vintage beauties – Here are the rules

Earlier, cars manufactured only prior to January 1, 1950, were permitted for import

Hyderabad: The Centre has eased norms for imports of cars classified as ‘vintage motor vehicles’ by actual users, according to a notification.

Earlier, cars manufactured only prior to January 1, 1950, were permitted for import by these users.

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With the new rules, those that are 50 years or older can be imported. This means that in 2025, vehicles built up to 1975 can be brought in.

“Cars classified as ‘vintage motor vehicles’…. are free for import by actual users,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has said in a notification.

However, it said such cars that would be plying on public roads would continue to be subject to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

“Classification of vintage motor vehicles has been revised to align it with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 as amended,” it said.

What owners must ensure

• The vehicles must comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

• Should be road-worthy and meet emissions standards.

• Though there will be no licence fee, other charges like Customs duty and GST apply.

• Cannot be resold.

What’s a vintage car

• Two – four-wheelers, over 50 years old, maintained in their original form and which have not undergone any substantial overhaul, come under ‘Vintage Motor Vehicles’, according to notification of PIB.

• Vehicles already registered can retain their original Registration Mark. For new registration, they will be assigned as “XX VA YY*”, where VA stands for vintage, XX stands for State Code, YY will be a two-letter series and “8” is a number from 0001 to 9999 allotted by the State Registering Authority.

• They cannot be driven on roads for regular/commercial purposes. Can be used for exhibitions, rallies, shows, museums, and technical research, historical, heritage tours, and ceremonial occasions.

Some of the best of 1975

• Maserati Merak SS: Sports car produced by Italian luxury car maker Maserati

• Porsche 930: By German automobile manufacturer Porsche

• Jaguar XJS: Came from the stable of British car manufacturer Jaguar Cars

• Rolls-Royce Camargue: A 2-door luxury saloon manufactured and by British auto giant Rolls-Royce Motors

• Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9: From German automotive company Daimler-Benz

With inputs from PTI