: WW 2 to Bobby: Punekar Probably Has Indias Quirkiest Collection of 500+ Vintage Bikes #IndiaNEWS #Lede IIn the late 1980s as India was inching towards globalisation and the economy was slowly opening,

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WW 2 to Bobby: Punekar Probably Has Indias Quirkiest Collection of 500+ Vintage Bikes #IndiaNEWS #Lede
IIn the late 1980s as India was inching towards globalisation and the economy was slowly opening, Bajaj Auto tried to dip one toe in the vast ocean of the export market. The company that already had a stronghold in the scooter segment developed Chetak with a 175 cc engine to export abroad.
Armed with government permits, international dealers and a stylish design, the company made 500 such scooters. However, they didn’t get international clearance. Meanwhile, the ones made for Indians had a waiting period of 10 years. So people had two options — either book and wait or purchase it with foreign exchange via an approved government scheme. Those with relatives or postings abroad managed to purchase the Chetak.
Due to this move, the scooter came to be fondly known as the ‘Dollar waali scooter’.
Almost 30 years later, the scooter that once turned heads on roads is now extinct. There will be a handful of people, if not more, with Chetak in their possession. One of them is Pune-based Vinit Kenjale.
Bajaj Y King
He has around eight original ‘Dollar waali scooters’ in his vintage collection of 500 two-wheelers. And just like Chetak, each scooter, bike and moped has a story to tell.
Vinit is an entrepreneur by profession and this massive collection is his hobby that began 40 years ago in 1986. What makes his collection more interesting is that he goes the extra mile to repair old scooters. Today, close to 250 of them are fully functioning.
To help the young and future generations cherish the old charm of two-wheelers, Vinit plans to open a Museum in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, in December this year. He has already received the required government permits.
“This will be a one-of-its-kind museum where visitors will be allowed to touch the items. It will offer short rides to every visitor on vintage scooters from brands like Bajaj, Lambretta, Vespa and more,� Vinit (55) tells The Better India.
BSA Bond
He adds if the museum will be an immersive and information-filled experience for youth, it will certainly evoke nostalgia for the older generations as well.
“Owning a scooter in the 1980s-90s was a huge deal for the common man given that it was affordable and a convenient travelling mode. Dropping children to school, taking your beloved on long rides or giving lifts to strangers, there are several emotional stories associated with scooters. I want to give the older generation that happiness again,� says Vinit.

We speak to Vinit about how he developed the hobby, how he ensures that the vintage scooters remain in their original shape and lesser-known tales behind the two-wheelers.
Two-Wheelers That Move The Soul
Royal Enfields Fantabules Scooter.

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