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Yesterday once more: A world-class heritage car and motorcycle show at Udaipur

t2oS was there to soak in the vintage and classic vibes of Oberoi Concours d'Elegance inaugural

Abhijit Mitra Published 24.03.24, 11:21 AM
The Best of Show Automobile was the 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe owned by Nishant Dossa

The Best of Show Automobile was the 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe owned by Nishant Dossa Pictures: The Oberoi Group, Sanket N. Patel, Makarand Baokar and the author

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.

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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

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

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 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

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 European Classics: 1958 Tatra 603 Saloon of Ram Reddy

Best in Class in Post- War American Classics: 1948 Buick Super 8 of Vikram Laiker

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 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

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 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.

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