It was a magnificent event full of elegance and style at the splendid Rambagh Palace, Jaipur on February 24 when vintage beauties showed their class at the sixth edition of India’s rare automotive heritage exhibition, Cartier Concours d Elegance 2019. The Rambagh Palace, once the home of the royal family of Jaipur Royal Family was an apt venue for the classy event that was also attended by H. H. Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur and Maharaja Gaj Singh Ji of Jodhpur.
The ‘Travel With Style’ is one of the world’s top rated and ranked Concours, putting India on the international circuit. His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur graced the showcase hosted by Christophe Massoni, CEO Cartier Middle East, Africa and India, with his presence. The show was curated by Manvendra Singh Barwani. The two beauties that drove off with the top honours were The Best Car of the Show: 1935 Rolls Royce – Phantom 2 – Continental owned by Amir Jetha and The Best Motorcycle of the Show: 1940 Indian – Junior Scout, owned by Sandeep Kapoor.
Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ 2019 featured 86 classic automobiles from nine distinctive classes and 26 motorcycles from three signatures. The first ever international Concours d’Elegance in India hosted by Cartier was at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai in 2008.
The vintage automobiles and motorcycles belong to Indian royal patrons and noted private collectors Today, with the Travel with Style exhibition, these unique and historical cars are precious treasures of India just as Cartier jewels are to Maharajas.
The unique exhibit was judged by the world’s leading designers, most successful industrialists and most knowledgeable collectors of classic cars and culminated with an award giving ceremony hosted by Master of Ceremonies Alain de Cadanet.
Since the inception of Cartier ‘Travel with Style’, over the past 10 years, the importance of India in the historical context of automobiles has again been brought to the forefront 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, more specifically the erstwhile rulers. The automotive restored in India can now easily match the exacting international standards thereby leading to an increase in the number of car owners going in for restoration of their cars.
Curator Manvendra Singh added, “For each edition, we try to raise the bar higher by introducing new categories and elements that augment the visual montage of India’s automotive legacy. When an owner brings a car to Cartier with an intention of showcasing, the most important criterion is that the car must be period correct, i.e., the colour, upholstery, the kind of accessories in it have to adhere to the era that the car originally belongs to. The choice of location is also key to the entire presentation and so this year, Concours d’Elegance travelled for the first time to Jaipur, to a stunning backdrop, The Rambagh Palace While curating the show it is important to look at, not only the history of automobiles but also where the future is going. Over the years, the quality of restoration in India has become so remarkable that cars from our country are now participating internationally.”
