Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally held in Mumbai
The seem of massive engines, glints of chrome and a nip in the air — the problems were being just appropriate for the ninth version of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car or truck Rally (MBCCR) that rolled off on Sunday morning from the lawns of Taj Lands Close in Mumbai. The rally, which featured an total spectrum of legendary Mercedes-Benzes — from Yashvardhan Ruia’s 1929 Nurburg to more acquainted classics from the 1960s and ’70s right up to Mercedes’ India 2002 assortment — drew in a stream of passionate, educated lovers.
The MBCCR was 1st organised by Autocar India in 2014, and the 2022 edition was studded with some singular cars this sort of as collector Viveck Goenka’s S-Class collection, Pratapsingh Gaekwad’s 230 SL Pagoda and Gautam Singhania’s 300S Adenauer cabriolet. Also on display screen was the complete assortment of W123, W124, and W126 in all system models — from coupes, cabriolets and limousines to estates, SWB and LWB sedans. In all, about 70 automobiles in 65 variants participated in the MBCCR 2022.
Flagged off by Vishwas Nangre Patil, Joint Law enforcement Commissioner (Legislation and Get), Mumbai, and Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, the striking convoy of Mercedes vehicles turned various heads as it wound its way from Bandra to the Worli Sea Encounter and again. This 12 months, with the introduction of the Star Basic classification — which highlighted each individual Mercedes assembled and bought in India up to 2002 — spectators were being treated to far more common icons this kind of as the complete India assortment, up to the W203 C-Class, W210 E-Class and even the W220 S-Course. The rally also noticed participation from cities these kinds of as Rajkot, Goa, and Kochi.
As a tribute to the S-Class, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the MBCCR also experienced all seven generations of the path-breaking vehicle on exhibit, with just about every technology staying represented by at least two variants.
“I have been witnessing the rally considering the fact that 2018, and every year given that then it has kept exceeding my anticipations in phrases of the automobiles on show and the sheer enthusiasm of the owners who celebrate Mercedes-Benz’s heritage,” explained Schwenk.
Yashvardhan Ruia, whose 1929 Nurburg was the oldest Mercedes at the rally, mentioned the MBCCR had led to a lot of persons restoring their Mercedes-Benzes. “I see lots of folks restoring their W123s and 126s, and that is a amazing issue. As importantly, Mercedes has accomplished a great occupation keeping its heritage alive in this region,” mentioned Ruia.
Rally curator Perseus Bandrawalla mentioned over the previous 9 many years the MBCCR has not only reignited curiosity in Mercedes-Benz classics, but also stored a huge part of India’s motoring heritage alive. “No other carmaker has as quite a few typical autos on the streets as in our country. Even though we just take satisfaction in the actuality that the MBCCR has grown to develop into a much-awaited, globally mentioned event, what’s as essential is that it has fostered a lively neighborhood and ecosystem of collectors and restorers,” said Bandrawalla.