The Modern Classic Car Rally was presented by Vredestein Tyres in association with Gulf Oil and Autoglym.
Mumbaikars were treated to a rare sight today as over 55 modern classic cars took to the city’s streets as part of the second edition of the Modern Classic Rally. Organised by Autocar India and presented by Vredestein Tyres in association with Gulf Oil and Autoglym, the rally featured over 55 cars produced between 1970 and the early 2000s, along with some rare supercars that are over a decade old. It was flagged off from the Grand Hyatt Mumbai by Mumbai BJP President and MLA Ashish Shelar.
- Second Edition of Modern Classic Rally had over 55 cars in attendance
- On display were Bentley Brooklands, Citroen DS, Ferrari Mondial
- Cars were produced between 1970 and early 2000s
Modern classics are cars usually between ten and 50 years old, and the category includes a variety of body styles — from coupes and SUVs to limited edition supercars. The enthusiasm for these cars is a reflection of the growing popularity of modern classics among automotive aficionados both in the country and globally. Importantly, the rally went beyond its concept and proved to be the culmination of a movement celebrating iconic cars that represent old-school engineering and modern performance standards.
Star Cars at the show
The participating cars were driven in formation from BKC to the Worli Seaface and back. Automotive enthusiasts lined the route, eagerly clicking photos of the veritable procession of iconic cars. These included American muscle cars such as the Mustang Mach 1 and the Pontiac Firebird to British cars such as the Aston Martin DBS, Jaguar E-type and Bentley Brooklands, to memorable Japanese machines such as the Nissan R33GTR and Mazda MX5 Miata.
Other cars that attracted attention included Mercedes-Benz coupes and roadsters, the Citroen DS, the very rare Ferrari Mondial and the super exotic Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. SUV fans were treated to time-tested off-roaders like the first-gen Range Rover, Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser 80 series. Prominent collectors from across the country such as Viveck Goenka, Samit Hede, Gautam Singhania, and Pratapsinh Gaekwad participated in the rally, which also featured cars belonging to well-known car collector Yohan Poonawalla.
Two pristine examples of Jaguar E-Types – a coupe and a convertible
Capturing the essence of the event, Perseus Bandrawalla, curator of Modern Classic Rally, said, “About 18 percent of the cars are being showcased for the first time. This really shows the scale of the movement and the momentum we are getting. The main thing about these cars is their nostalgia value and their beautiful blend between mechanical engineering and electronic precision. Modern Classics are becoming a lifestyle and its also one of the most popular genres of cars globally today. We are glad to note that their popularity has been growing in India with each passing year”
Shanay Shah, in attendance at the event with his Mercedes-Benz 500 SL said, “Its great to be invited by the Autocar team at the Modern Classic Rally. I think this rally is just going to get bigger and bigger. Its amazing to see the people come out and really support the movement. I am looking forward to many more such events in the future.”
Shanay Shah’s Mercedes 500 SL
Hemen Choksey, owner of a very rare Ferrari Mondial QE – the only one in India – said, “I got the car in 2004, and its been almost 20 years since I have had it. It’s been a ride to maintain it because part sourcing is difficult. The car is very rare – there are only 150 right-hand drive Mondial QEs in the world. But it’s a dream to drive. You do need an open road for it, and when its on the move, it’s simply amazing.”
In addition to the spectacular assortment of cars, performance tyre brand Vredestein also its range of tyres in India on display at the event. “Premium style and superior performance have always been the hallmarks of Vredestein, which is why they are the choice of passionate and discerning automotive enthusiasts the world over. We are proud to be part of this growing movement of Modern Classics that is driven by passion,” said MS Satishkumar, customer service head, Vredestein Tyres, for south and west region.
The second edition of the Modern Classic Rally was a huge success, with participants and spectators equally enthralled. But did you catch us on the road, and what were your favourite cars from this year’s show? Let us know in the comments below.
Also See:
Modern Classic Rally 2023 image gallery