It was a near-perfect Sunday morning in Udaipur, bright and sunny, but with the temperature somewhere in the mid-twenties. And on the lush green undulating lawns of The Oberoi Udaivilas as well some of its driveways sparkled cars and motorcycles that harked back to a time that was less hurried, when it was easier to stop and savour the finer things of life without looking at the pocketwatch.
The luxurious hotel on the banks of Lake Pichola was hosting the first edition of The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, which had cars spanning almost a century, from a a Packard Seven Twin Six 3-35 made in 1920 to a Tata Nano made in 2015. The two-wheelers turned the clock back even further, with the oldest motorcycle, a US-made Indian, going back as far as 1912. Altogether there were around 120 vehicles on display and contesting the various categories. The event also marked the 90th anniversary of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts.
The 1927 RollsRoyce Phantom I Huntington Limousine owned by Shrivardhan Kanoria of Calcutta took the best of class in the Pre War Classics RollsRoyce Limousines category
Arjun Oberoi, executive chairman of The Oberoi Group (EIH) has said in a written statement: “The Oberoi Group’s commitment to excellence and luxury hospitality has been integral to our enduring legacy. The Oberoi Concours
d’Elegance serves as a testament to the preservation and celebration of India’s unique automotive heritage, exceptional design and exquisite craftsmanship.”
Ensuring that the event was right up there with the best in the world were judges who were experts in various types and periods of vehicles and they ensured that everything in the cars, down to every correct nut and bolt that had been painstakingly located and put in the car, did not go unnoticed. Sandra Button, chairperson of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, was the chief judge, alongside multiple world champions Giacomo Agostini and Jacky Ickx, ensuring that only the finest vehicles received recognition. The event was convened by noted automotive authority Simon Kidston.
Each class represented a distinct era and category, showcasing the evolution and diversity of automotive craftsmanship. From ‘Motoring for the Masses – India’ and ‘Dawn of the Jet Age – Cadillacs’ to ‘Cars of the Maharajahs – Mysore’, ‘Post War Sportscars’, ‘Custom Classics & Prototypes’, and ‘Defining Legends of the Modern Age’, each class had a unique story of automotive heritage.
Best of Show Motorcycle was won by the 1925 New Hudson 499cc belonging to Madan Mohan
Expectedly, the event featured cars that are or have been owned by the heads of former princely states, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Gondal, Tehri-Garhwal, Mysore and Baroda. In homage to the late P.R.S. Oberoi, the showcase also presented a selection of Oberoi family cars, serving as a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Manvendra Singh Barwani, curator of The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, described the event as an exclusive showcase of automotive history and design that elevated the heritage of automobile culture and the history of India to an international level.
Sandra Button, chief judge at The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, emphasised the event’s role in preserving and celebrating India’s automotive legacies, noting its significance in an era of automotive transformation.
A Fiat Tipo 508 Balilla (left) and a Mercedes Benz 300SL Cabriolet on display on the lawns of The Oberoi Udaivilas
A highlight of the event was the presence of the iconic and immaculate BMW 328 from the late 1930s, which had been flown in from Germany just for the show. This model was to set BMW on the road to the luxury marque that it has become today.
(L-R) Arjun Oberoi, executive chairman of The Oberoi Group; Sandra Button, chairperson of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and Prince Michael of Kent.
THE PRIZE WINNERS
Judge’s Award winner for Most Elegant Pre-War: 1935 Delahaye 135MS belonging to Maharaj Duldeep Singh Ji of Jodhpur
Best in Class in Post- War European Classics: 1958 Tatra 603 Saloon of Ram Reddy
Best in Class in Post- War American Classics: 1948 Buick Super 8 of Vikram Laiker
First Runner Up in Pre-War European Classic: 1937 Rolls-Royce of Dhanraj Gidwaney
First Runner Up in the Post War American Classics: 1958 Chevrolet Impala Sports Coupe of Harshpati Singhania
AUTOMOBILE CLASSES Motoring for the Masses - India: High production, low-cost cars sold in India from 1910 onwards
Dawn of the Jet Age - Cadillacs: Finned Cadillac cars from 1949 to 1964
Post War Sportscars: Sportscars from 1945 to 1975
Display: These cars represent part of Indian Automotive history, from some mighty Pre-War cars to flamboyant sportscars. These also include some cars owned by the Oberoi Family.
Custom Classics & Prototypes: One-off custom cars, Hot Rods and prototypes
Post War American Classics: American made open cars from 1945 to 1969
Post War European Classics: European made cars from 1945 to 1969
Pre War American Classics: American made open cars from 1910 to 1945
Classici Italiani - Pre War: Cars made in Italy from 1910 to 1945
Progettato in Italia - Post War: Cars made or designed by Italian coachbuilders from 1945 to 1969
Pre War European Classics: European made cars from 1910 to 1945
Cars of the Maharajahs - Mysore: Celebrating the cars of the Maharajah of Mysore
Pre War Classics - Rolls Royce Limousines: Formal Rolls Royce cars from 1910 to 1945
MOTORCYCLE CLASSES
Veteran - Vintage: Early motorcycles up to and including 1930
Pre War: Motorcycles from 1931 up to and including 1945
Post War: Motorcycles from 1946 up to and including 1969 Defining Legends of the Modern Age: Trendsetting and significant motorcycles from 1970 up to and including 1985
THE BEST OF THE REST
The 1964 rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe broke the mould in the US market but fell foul of safety activist Ralph Nader
The Classici Italiani - Pre War class included an Ansaldo Tipo F, two Lancia Lambdas, a Lancia Dilambda and a Lancia Astura Series II cabriolet.