Really enjoyed the way the Beetle takes the good and bad roads in the same spirit.
BHPian KPS recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Our annual vintage and classic car drive was planned in November’24. Our “Master of the Drives” decided that, since we have already done a drive of Rajasthan in February’24, this was going be a shorter and more relaxed drive.
So the theme for this drive was decided to to “Susegaud”
Quote:
Susegad is a concept associated with the culture of Goa, India. Derived from the Portuguese word sossegado (‘quiet’), it is often viewed as the relaxed, laid-back attitude towards life that is said to have existed historically
Source
This round trip, we would be doing Mumbai –> Belgaum (first grouping point) –> Hampi –> Goa –> Mahabaleshwar –>Mumbai
As with the theme the badges & key chain have the trip logo. What a wonderfully done theme, captured so beautifully
The key chain is a prized possession 
Mounted on the car
Kaizer is all ready for the trip
Last minute electrical checks before the trip
84639 miles was the opening trip reading 
Bhpian Karlos in his Fiat Millicento and I, set off early from Mumbai. Karlos lives in Pune, so the plan was stay on Pune for 2 nights before we catch up with the group at Belgaum
We headed out of Mumbai with the rising sun escorting us.
Stop for breakfast at the Food Mall. The place was packed. Karlos and I find a convenient parking away from jammed parking area
Tunnels on the Mumbai – Pune Expressway is always done with a watchful eye!
Past the 2nd Toll we were stopped! MH Elections was a good excuse to stop the car!. It was good fun answering all the questions and allowing them to pose and take pictures with the car. They felt like movie stars! 
We stopped for chai keeping in line with Susegad theme!
While having chai, Karlos and I decided it was a good idea to visit another big Pune collector, Badamikar. From the highway it was easier to reach his place. We had a wonderful morning exploring all his cars and listening to his stories on how he baought the cars 
Mr. Zaheer Vakil was one of the largest collectors in India with a passion for Buicks. He also had a massive restoration shop which was a sight to see in it’s peak. With age, Mr. Vakil has downsized his collection and the restoration shop is on its last legs. My first visit, but left a lasting impression of what it may have been.
Here is a recent youtube video which gives you more details of Mr. Vakhil and his collection
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ7SUDJOoUs
Ready to leave Pune
As the roads to Belgaum are bad, we decided to leave early. We had to cover 320+ kms to reach our hotel in Belgaum. Some hot chai to get us going 
When the roads we were good, we were doing good speeds. Seen here the Beetle is comfortable at 90 kmph and cool weather in the morning, made the driving experience better. 
Then the road works started …..
The jams started …. there was an accident ahead and we had to wait for the crane to remove the bus blocking the road
Good time to stretch our legs, as we patiently wait for the traffic to move
When it starts moving, we are delayed by tractors like this which has 3 trailers!. We have to patiently wait for our turn to overtake 
One of the cars in the group , Mercedes Ponton 180D developed a fuel line leak. We stopped to check and then moved on, as it was not a major issue and could be fixed by a local mechanic. 
Road work and traffic slowed us down
As we reached Belgaum, we stopped for some tender coconut. The absence of airconditioning means you have to be always well hydrated to reduce fatigue. Local to area, you can see at the right end of the picture, the end of a sugarcane ladened tractor 
Really enjoyed the way the Beetle takes the good and bad roads in the same spirit. Such a nimble car, with the engine in the rear, there is no engine heat and you do not feel fatigued at all.
Summary of the drive from Pune to Belgaum, thanks to Karlos
Some the cars which had reached earlier than us. There was going be around 20 cars in this trip.
Fairfield Marriot was a comfortable hotel. 
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