About Adil

  • Adil Jal Darukhanawala is one of India’s most respected automotive historians, journalists and authors, with a career spanning more than five decades. A pioneer of modern automotive journalism in India, he helped transform motoring publications from trade-focused journals into enthusiast-driven magazines that celebrated the automobile as a cultural phenomenon. His work as a writer, editor, historian and mentor has influenced generations of automotive journalists and enthusiasts alike.


    He was the founder and editor of India’s first enthusiast automobile magazine – Car & Bike International, back in the 1980s. After that, he has been the force behind creating and running multiple automotive publications such as Overdrive, Car India, Bike India, ZigWheels and Zeegnition. He has also played a pivotal role in EVO India as well as Fast Bikes India magazines.

History

  • Beyond automobiles, Adil is a passionate student of Indian and world history, a dedicated motorsport enthusiast and an ardent advocate of India’s automotive heritage. Despite witnessing dramatic shifts in technology and mobility over the years, his curiosity, enthusiasm and willingness to embrace change remain as strong as ever.


    He has authored numerous acclaimed books covering motorsport, automotive technology, marque histories, motoring heritage, classic and vintage vehicles. His notable works include Classics & Thoroughbreds (2011), AutoTech (2013), Mercedes-Benz Winning (2016), Volkswagen in India, At Ten (2017), Jawa – The Forever Bike (2019), Timeless Mahindra (2020) and Kinetic’s Electric Energy (2026).


    Based in Pune, Maharashtra, Adil continues to research, write and document India’s rich automotive history while actively engaging with enthusiasts, preserving classic vehicles and sharing his vast knowledge with future generations.