The sixth edition of Cartier Concours d’Elegance, hosted in the land of Maharajas comes to an end.
Mr. Christophe Massoni, CEO Cartier Middle East, Africa, and India, hosted the sixth edition of the Cartier Concours d’Elegance, curated by Mr. Manvendra Singh Barwani. The sixth edition took place in the land of Maharajas, Jaipur. Cartier hosted the first ever international Concours d’Elegance in India at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai in 2008. The next editions were hosted in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. This year’s event took place with the presence of His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur at The Rambagh Palace, previously a residence of the Jaipur Royal Family. Also, present at the venue were, HH Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur and Maharaja Gaj Singh Ji of Jodhpur.
The event featured 86 classic automobiles from nine distinctive classes and 26 motorcycles from three signatures classes, from the esteemed stables of Indian royal patrons and noted private collectors. Over the past 10 years, not only has the classic car collection seen a huge change here, but the importance of India in the historical context of automobiles has again been brought to the vanguard internationally. World-renowned shows like Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, USA and Salon Retro Mobile, France have featured categories for cars originally sold to Indian owners, specifically the Maharajas.
The unique exhibit was judged by the world’s leading designers, most successful industrialists and most knowledgeable collectors of classic cars and combined with an award giving ceremony hosted by Mr. Alain de Cadanet, the event did not fall short on a charismatic appeal.
1935 Rolls Royce – Phantom 2 – Continental owned by Mr. Amir Jetha took the award for the best car of the show, whereas, the 1940 Indian – Junior Scout owned by Mr. Sandeep Kapoor won the best motorcycle of the show. The Cartier Resurrection Cup was given to the 1922 Ansaldo – Tipo F owned by Mr. Nitin Dossa. 1937 Daimler – 24EL owned by Mr. Ravi Pittie got the Special Award, presented by HH Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur. The Judges Award to the 1906 Renault – 8HP owned by Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria was also presented by Her Highness.
The Mark Shand Adventurer Trophy was presented to 1951 Standard-Vanguard Phase 1 owned by Mr. Viveck and Mrs. Zita Goenka, presented to them by the nephew of Mark Shand, Ben Elliot. Best In Class – Thunderbird was awarded to 1961 – Ford – Thunderbird also owned by Mr. Viveck and Mrs. Zita Goenka. Mr. Kaizad Engineer got the award for Best In Class – Preservation for his 1947 – Chevrolet – Fleetmaster.
There were three exciting new automotive categories in this sixth edition namely – Ford Thunderbird, Sports Cars and the Pre War Classics Transportation. The three signature classes of motorcycles were Veteran Vintage, Pre-War and Post-War. The sixth edition kept on with the Preservation Class that showcased the unrestored cars.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible currently owned by His Highness HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh was showcased in the Thunderbird Class. This edition also displayed the three cars of Maharani Gayatri Devi – a 1968 28 0S Mercedes Saloon now owned by Sudhir Kasliwal, a 1947 Super 8 Buick Convertible which also won the award in the category of Best In Class – Post-War Classic American and currently in the hands of Mr. Dinesh Lal and 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible whose current owner is Vikram Singh.
The judging panel of the sixth edition included Chief Judge Simon Kidston, who also serves as a judge at Pebble Beach Concours. Sandra Button, Chairman of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Some judges were at their first ever event, the names of these notable personalities are Charles Richmond – Founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Stefano Domenicali – Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, Giacomo Agostini, Nicholas Coleridge, Sir Michael Kadoorie, etc.
2019 Cartier Concours D’Elegance
– The best motorcycle of the show was the 1940 Indian – Junior Scout owned by Mr. Sandeep Kapoor
– Ford Thunderbird, Sports Cars, and the Pre War Classics Transportation were the new additional categories
– His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur was present at the event
