Indian Cars Shine at UK Concours Events

Three Indian cars, all owned by prominent classic car collector Yohan Poonawalla, have been showered with accolades and appreciation at the recent Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance (Blenheim Palace) and Concours of Elegance 2021 (Hampton Court) in the UK.

Being referred to as ‘The Ultimate Phantom’ , the 1979 Rolls Royce Phantom VI Limousine by H.J. Mulliner Park Ward was present at the Concours of Elegance 2021. Having been Queen Elizabeth II’s personal mode of transport in the past, the car is the youngest of the trio here. At Salon Prive this year, it was a runner up in Class F.

The 1949 Bentley MkVI 4-Light Saloon by Hooper, which was given the Duke of Marlborough award at Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance, comes with quite some history, too. It originally belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore and had some typical old-money optional extras ticked: plaques and shields in 24k gold and silver, among other bits, and has a rather striking yellow and red colour scheme. Along with the next car, this made an appearance on UK soil for the first time in seven decades.

The final car from the remarkable YZP collection is a 1927 Rolls Royce Twenty HP. It was a Rolls Royce demonstrator and was once owned by the Nawab of Sachin. Finished in black, the four-door touring body style car also has hunting lights, a dual windscreen, and three (!) spare wheels. It won the ‘Most Exceptional Coachwork’ award at Salon Prive.

India hasn’t been a stranger at various concours events, not just because of the presence of many ex-royal cars in the country but also due to a keen interest among local collectors and specialised restorers. The Poonawalla collection, of which these three winners are a part, is the perfect example of that.

The full list of winning cars at Salon Prive can be accessed here:
https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/concours-delegance-entrants/past-winners/