Get set to feast your eyes on a treasure trove of historically significant and beautifully restored automobiles and motorbikes at The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance in Udaipur.
A concours is an exhibition or parade of vintage or classic motor vehicles in which prizes are awarded for those in the best or most original condition. India has several enthusiasts who are passionate about their collection and participate in international and local shows.
For example, Diljeet Titus’s very rare 1933 Minerva Type AL – Seven Passenger Landaulet de Ville by Carrosserie Van Den Plas, which won the ‘People’s Vote’ in the Cars of the Art Deco Era category at the 2020 Concours Virtual which had 245 cars competing across 18 classes. Or, Yohan Poonawalla’s 1949 Bentley Mark VI Touring Saloon by Hooper, once owned by the Maharaja of Mysore, which placed second in the People’s Choice award in its class. Or then, a formidable collection of vintage and classic vehicles that you can feast your eyes on at the Royal Vintage Car Museum in Udaipur, owned by former royal Arvind Singh Mewar, Chairman and Managing Director of the HRH Group of Hotels.
The Oberoi group and its fine vintage
Over its 90-year history, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has been committed to promoting and preserving Indian heritage and hosting prestigious classic and vintage car rallies around its award-winning properties. In keeping with this tradition, The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance will set a new benchmark to showcase the finest vintage and classic automobiles and motorcycles from India and abroad.
The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance will be hosted at The Oberoi Udaivilãs, Udaipur, in February 2024. Set against the majestic backdrop of Lake Pichola and traditional domed architecture of the resort, The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance will celebrate the remarkable design and craftsmanship of the world’s most sought after and distinctive vehicles. Owned by Indian royalty and private collectors, the Concours will be a unique opportunity to view some of the rarest automobiles restored and preserved over many generations.
Vintage car experts that you can expect to see at the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance
The event will be curated by India’s leading automotive historian, Manvendra Singh Barwani, who founded India’s first vintage and classic car restoration workshop in 1978. An authority on vintage and classic cars in India, he has been featured on numerous television programmes on the subject and co-authored the book The Automobiles of the Maharajas with the late Sharada Dwivedi. A founding member of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of India, Manvendra conceived and then served as Curator for the Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elegance. He has been a Judge at the Pebble Beach Concours since 2012 and helped organise the 2012 ‘Maharaja’ and 2018 ‘Car of the Raj’ classes for the Concours.
In addition, a distinguished panel of classic car cognoscenti from across the globe will judge cars and motorcycles in different classifications. Sandra Button, Chairman of the prestigious and globally renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, will serve as Chief Judge.
One of the most influential people in the classic car world today, she continues to inspire others and is an integral part of the growth story of the world collector car hobby, not only via Pebble Beach but also by supporting events worldwide by participating in or officiating at them.
She has been highly supportive of the Indian classic car fraternity, both via promotion of Indian collectors and cars internationally, as well as judging Indian events in the past. Her guidance has been invaluable in shaping the preservation of India’s classic car heritage for future generations.
Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group, says, “Oberoi Hotels & Resorts are delighted to host and promote the celebration of beauty, innovation, and craftsmanship that has defined a century of the most exceptional automobiles of the world. Our automotive legacy is amongst the most significant and historically important. With The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, we look forward to placing India on the world’s Concours stage and showcasing the very best of automotive heritage and excellence.”
Barwani adds, “The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance will take the heritage of automobile culture and the history of India to an international level, showcasing the finest vintage and classic automobiles and motorcycles. Moreover, with Indian restoration work on par with international standards, we can compete with international entries on our home stage.”
Both automobile and motorcycle entries will be expertly curated, and those wishing to participate will undergo a rigorous selection process. Prospective entrants can contact Oberoi Hotels & Resorts with information that includes model details, chassis number(s), and specific history of their vehicle(s), with recent high-resolution photographs.
And if you’re a vintage car and bike buff, you know where you need to be in February 2024!
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