Royal Classics Crown in Udaipur
India's Oberoi Udaipur hosted a prestigious gathering of rare vintage automobiles, where several "royal classics" were crowned. The event celebrated India's automotive heritage and attracted international attention from collectors and historians.
The Oberoi Concours d'Elegance, which made its debut in 2024, has quickly established itself as a significant event on the international classic car calendar. The second edition, held from February 20-22, 2026, at the Oberoi Udaivilas, further solidified its status, attracting global collectors and historians. The event's prestige is underscored by its recognition as the 'Concours Event of the Year' at the 2024 Concours Year Awards. A distinguished panel of judges, led by Sandra Button, Chairperson of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, oversaw the event. The jury included luminaries such as racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart and former FIA president Jean Todt, highlighting the event's global standing. The curator for the concours was Manvendra Singh Barwani, a founding member of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of India. The event featured meticulously curated classes including "Indian Heritage Motor Racing," "Indian Coachbuilt," and "Cars of the Maharajahs." A special retrospective also traced a century of Rolls-Royce Phantom excellence, celebrating India's long-standing connection with the iconic marque. Between 1907 and 1947, approximately 900 Rolls-Royce cars were imported to India, with a significant portion purchased by Maharajas. Among the vehicles showcased were over 90 vintage cars and 32 historic motorcycles. Notable automobiles included a 1951 Bentley Mark VI, a 1948 Alfa Romeo, and a 1929 Bugatti. The event kicked off with the Oberoi Tour d'Elegance, a drive around Udaipur's Fatehsagar Lake that offered the public a preview of the classic automobiles. The winning cars were praised not just for their beauty, but for their authenticity, historical accuracy, and the stories they represented. A pre-war Rolls-Royce was a standout winner, recognized for its impeccable restoration and provenance linked to India's royal motoring legacy. This focus on heritage is a key aspect of the event, celebrating the unique history of automobiles in India. Udaipur itself has a rich automotive history, with the royal family of Mewar being avid collectors. One of their vehicles, a 1924 Rolls-Royce, even won the Lucius Beebe Trophy at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2012. The city is also home to a vintage and classic car museum, established in February 2000, which houses vehicles owned by the Mewar family over generations.
