Over 100 participant cars made their way from all over the country to partake in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2019 (MBCCR), featuring some of the rarest models from the manufacturer’s rich history. The rally is one of the biggest and most prestigious events of its kind in Asia and displayed a number of vintage and classic Mercs from within India.
The MBCCR has been growing in popularity every year, as was proven by the sheer variety of Mercedes’ on display. However, the undoubted stars of the show were Viveck Goenka’s 1929 W08 Nurburg, the sole 300 SL Roadster in the country owned by the Maharaja of Gondal and Hormusji Cama's very rare 500K.
This year, there was nearly everybody style (including a rare roadster) of the 170V in attendance, with a 1938 230L Pullman for company. Also, part of the rally were a couple of Adenauer limousines and the first-gen C-class sedan. Additionally, models from every generation of the S-class, E-class and SL were in attendance too along with other modern classics like the SECs and SLCs.
"The cars on display range from the Benz Patent-Motorwagen to the Maybach 62, so that's a century of cars from Mercedes-Benz. But, as importantly, the rally also represents the evolution of the motor car over the last 100 years," said Autocar India's Perseus Bandrawalla, curator of the MBCCR.
Participants were flagged off from the Sofitel hotel in Mumbai, embarking on a 25km-long leisurely drive to the Worli Seaface via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link before returning back to the start point. The rally wowed enthusiasts and onlookers along the route, as these masterpieces of yesteryears are rarely seen out in public and that too in such high numbers. A rolling museum, if you will.
The 2019 edition also coincides with Mercedes’ 25th anniversary in India. To celebrate the occasion, iconic models like the SLS AMG Gullwing and Roadster, the Maybach 62 and the W124, the first made-in-India Mercedes, were on display at the event.
Some of the other distinguished participants in this year’s MBCCR included industrialist Gautam Singhania, Nirmal Bhogilal, Abbas Jasdanwala, Vikram Bokey and artist Vinaykumar Chumble.
The day culminated with a prize giving ceremony where participants were presented with certificates, goodies and memorabilia. If you missed MBCCR 2019, stay tuned for the full report and pictures in the December 2019 issue of Autocar India.
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