Mumbai’s Art Deco heritage has been in the limelight recently. But, earlier this month, it was the turn of some of the most elegant and beautifully restored vintage cars to have ever graced Indian roads in a century.

Automotive treasures as they were all rightfully called, these were the showcases at the third Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elégance 2013. The event showcased some 70 of the rarest and best-preserved vintage automobiles sourced from Indian royal patrons and noted Indian private collectors.

The Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ is considered amongst the world’s best four Concours d’Elégance. It is held biannually in India. This year, the third edition, was held at the Taj Land’s End in Mumbai.

This Concours is curated by respected Indian automotive expert Manvendra Singh of Barwani and is orchestrated by car aficionado and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall’s brother, Mark Shand. This year, the showcase was segregated into seven distinct competing classes.

Two new categories were introduced this year – the Edwardian Class (the oldest preserved automobiles in India) and the Shikar Class (automobiles used for Royal hunts). These are in addition to the pre-established categories such as Pre-War, Post-War, Indian Heritage, Preservation and Roadster classes.

Another fascinating addition to this year’s edition of the Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elégance 2013 was motorcycles as a category. There were a total of 32 exceptional vintage motorcycles from across India which competed in the three all time favourite classes – Pre-War, Post-War and Racing.

The expert judging panel at the Cartier Concours d’Elégance comprises renowned vintage auto cognoscenti from automotive, design, finance, racing and sporting fields. This year’s panel included chief judge HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance Sandra Button, Fiat Scion Lapo Elkann, President of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Jean Todt, Sir Stirling Moss – considered the greatest F1 driver, 15-time world motorcycling champion Giacomo Agostini, 8-time GP World Champion Phil Read, award winning F1 designer Prof. Gordon Murray and leading industrialist Sir Anthony Bamford.

The distinct exhibit culminated with an award giving ceremony hosted by the Master of Ceremony Mr. Alan de Cadenet. The Best Car of the Show was Rolls Royce 1935 Model No: Phantom II owned by HH Maharaja Gaj Singhji of Jodhpur, and the Best Motorcycle of the show was the Indian 1915 Model owned by Subodh Nath. Amongst others the winner of the Indian Heritage category went to Fiat 1949 Model: 500C owned by Adil Jal Darukhanwala.

Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ attempts to celebrate the distinctiveness of the auto heritage of India and the specially appointed automobiles and motorcycles from the days of the Maharajahs and post-independence India. The first international Concours d’Elégance in India was hosted at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai in 2008. In 2011, the New Delhi Jaipur Polo Club had played host to the second edition.

muralidhar.s@thehindu.co.in

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