Bengaluru: In a remarkable display of nostalgia and the power of social media, Confident Group Chairman Dr. Roy Chiriankandath Joseph has successfully traced and repurchased his first car — a red Maruti 800 — after offering a reward of ₹10 lakh to anyone who could help locate it. The car, originally bought in 1994 for ₹1.10 lakh, is now back with its first owner more than three decades later.
Dr. Roy, who today owns one of the most extravagant luxury and supercar collections across India and Dubai, had long expressed a strong emotional attachment to his first vehicle, registered as CKJ 3637. Despite owning automobiles such as a Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg Agera, Lamborghini Aventador, Bentley Continental and multiple Rolls-Royces, the memory of his first Maruti 800 remained unmatched.
Sharing the news on Instagram, he wrote, “I HAD OFFERED RS 10 LAKHS FOR THE FINDER OF MY 1st Car, This Maruti 800 Red Car. POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA, MY INSTAGRAM FRIENDS FOUND IT!!! This could be one of the highest paid for a Maruti 800… But first car is always the first achievement.”
He added that the car symbolised an important milestone, having been purchased when he was 25 years old. “In 1994, Maruti 800 was one of the best cars on Indian roads. I bought it for ₹1.10 lakh — the same amount of money that could have bought me two acres of land in Sarjapur at the time. Today, that land would be worth over ₹20 crore,” he wrote, highlighting the contrast between automotive aspirations and real estate appreciation.
Dr. Roy also shared the lesson he draws from this journey: “Buy a car, but also buy a small piece of land. Land becomes family wealth.”
The entrepreneur sold the Maruti 800 in 1997 to upgrade to a Maruti Esteem, then considered one of the most premium sedans available in India. Over the years, his passion for automobiles has evolved into an extensive fleet comprising supercars, luxury SUVs and even aircraft.
A Collection Few Can Match
In Dubai, his garage includes a blue Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari F12, Bentley Continental, Lamborghini Huracán and Aventador, as well as Rolls-Royce Wraith, Spectre and Phantom.
In India, he owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII, among other luxury vehicles. His passion extends beyond cars as well — Dr. Roy also owns a Partenavia P-68 aircraft and an Airbus EC135 helicopter.
Despite this rarefied collection, the return of the modest Maruti 800 stands out as a deeply personal milestone for him. For many automotive enthusiasts, the story underscores a familiar sentiment: while supercars may define success, a first car often defines identity.
With the red Maruti 800 now back where it belongs, Dr. Roy’s story highlights a blend of aspiration, achievement and the enduring emotional value attached to the simple machines that start our journeys.
