As heritage vehicle shows go, it doesn’t get much better than this. The second Oberoi Concours d’Elegance at The Oberoi Udaivilas and the inaugural Oberoi Tour d’Elegance were an ode to motoring heritage that managed to bring out numerous cars and motorcycles that remain out of view of motoring enthusiasts. The show is still in its early days, but has turned out to be one of the most significant gatherings of classic automobiles and collectors in the region.
Over three days, cars like the Oldsmobile from 1905 and the Delaunay-Belleville from 1910 — the latter is probably the only one in India — drew enthusiasts who could not get enough of them. There were no less then 25 Rolls-Royces in various categories and industrialist Yohan Poonawalla’s stable of seven generations of RR Phantoms traced a century of Rolls-Royce excellence, underscoring India’s enduring association with the marque. The show also witnessed cars such as Bugattis, few of which had come to India.
When this Mercedes-Benz 170V Cabriolet was found by Pallab Roy of Calcutta about eight years ago, it was being used to throw trash. Last week, it won the Restoration class at The Oberoi Concours
The introduction of The Oberoi Tour d’Elegance, a scenic drive along the Fateh Sagar Lake, got the cars going under their own power, which is always exciting to see.
The Oberoi Group executive chairman Arjun Oberoi said: “The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance reflects our enduring commitment to preserving heritage and celebrating India’s unique motoring history. We are delighted to once again welcome the global classic automobile community to Udaipur and to present an experience that honours both tradition and our commitment to restoration excellence.”
The 2026 edition was curated by noted automotive historian Manvendra Singh with each car having a compelling story. “India remains a remarkable repository of automotive history. The Oberoi Concours provides an exceptional platform to present these automobiles as cultural artefacts shaped by patrons, craftsmen and time,” Singh said.
The Chairman's Award is presented to Nitin Dossa
The jury was led by chief judge Sandra Button, chairperson of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, alongside an international panel of distinguished experts including former racing champions Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell and Giacomo Agostini, industrialist and car enthusiast Michael Kadoorie, and former Ferrari F1 team boss Jean Todt, among other renowned historians, collectors and specialists.
This year’s curated classes explored diverse dimensions of motoring heritage, from Indian Heritage Motor Racing and Indian Coachbuilt: in period and in the modern era to Cars of the Maharajahs — Jodhpur and Pre-War Classics — Rolls-Royce.
Oberoi Group executive charman Arjun Oberoi and The Oberoi Concours d'Elegance chief judge Sandra Button give the Best of Show Automobile to Dhanraj Gidwaney's Bentley
BMW, which partnered the Concours for the second time, displayed classics like the BMW 507 Roadster and the BMW CSL 3.0 race car. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars became a partner for the first time, not surprising considering the number of Rollers on show.
Here are some of the exceptional and unusual vehicles that were on display. Oh, and the next edition’s coming in two years.
The Mercedes-Benz 170V (left) and the SS100, a forerunner of the Jaguar, were prize winners at The Oberoi Concours
These three cars, (L-R) a 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Limousine, a 1910 Delaunay-Belleville HH6 15/20hp (a very rare marque and model and, perhaps, the only one in India) Double Berline De Voyage, both coachbuilt by the French Motor Car Co. of Calcutta, and a 1923 Rolls Royce 20hp Roadster with body by Steuart & Co of Calcutta prove that Indian coachbuilders were as good as their Western counterparts back in the day
'Cars of the Maharajahs - Jodhpur' was category that had a bunch of exceptional cars that had been owned by the royals up to 1955. They included (L-R) a 1947 Buick Roadmaster Model 76-C Convertible that is still owned by the family, a 1935 Bentley 3.5-litre Aerofoil Coupe coachbuilt by Gurney Nutting, a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Drophead Coupe still with the family, a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, and a 1926 Bugatti Type 23 'Brescia' Torpedo Tourer
The Maharaja of Gondal had bought the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' (left) and removed bumpers and raced this car regularly. The 1951 Jaguar XK120 was the first sportscar from the company after World War II and claimed to be able to reach the 120mph mark. This particular car participated in races in India
Pre-War European Classics were some of the best looking cars of the show and included (R-L) a 1939 Bentley 4.25-litre Drophead Coupe that eventually went on to win the Best of Show Automobile, a gorgeous 1936 Alvis 3.5-litre Speed 25 and a 1933 Standard Avon 16hp Sports Tourer
At the peak of its popularity, Jaguar cars had an attraction to die for. Three cars that built that halo were (L-R) the 1955 Jaguar XK150, the 1966 Jaguar E-Type Coupe and the 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
Till before Jaguar entered the market with the E-Type in 1961, classic British sportscars looked like the Austin Healey 100S (in green and cream) and the MG A (red) and sported very similar lines
