The ninth edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR) got underway this morning from the lawns of the Taj Lands End in Mumbai with the burble of strong engines, chrome gleams, and a chill in the air. The rally attracted a steady stream of fervent, knowledgeable aficionados since it showcased a wide variety of famous Mercedes, from Yashvardhan Ruia’s 1929 Nurburg to more well-known classics from the 1960s and ’70s up to Mercedes’ India 2002 series.
- 70 vehicles taking part in 65 different variations
- Display of the seven S-Class iterations
- Convoy route from Worli Sea Face to Bandra and back
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The MBCCR, which Autocar India first hosted in 2014, has flourished to become one of the best automotive events in the world, and for good reason. The 2022 issue included a number of unique vehicles, including the S-Class collection of publisher and collector Viveck Goenka, the 230 SL Pagoda owned by Pratapsingh Gaekwad, and the 300S Adenauer cabriolet owned by Gautam Singhania. The complete lineup of W123, W124, and W126 in all body types—from coupes, cabriolets, and limousines to estates, SWB, and LWB sedans—was also on exhibit. At the MBCCR 2022, approximately 70 automobiles in 65 versions took part in total.
The MBCCR, which Autocar India first hosted in 2014, has flourished to become one of the best automotive events in the world, and for good reason. The 2022 issue included a number of unique vehicles, including the S-Class collection of publisher and collector Viveck Goenka, the 230 SL Pagoda owned by Pratapsingh Gaekwad, and the 300S Adenauer cabriolet owned by Gautam Singhania. The complete lineup of W123, W124, and W126 in all body types—from coupes, cabriolets, and limousines to estates, SWB, and LWB sedans—was also on exhibit. At the MBCCR 2022, approximately 70 automobiles in 65 versions took part in total.
Goenka referred to the MBCCR as one of the best-organized rallies of its kind in the nation and as an occasion where he could view Mercedes-Benzes for the first time. The MBCCR also started a Mercedes collectors’ movement over time. Thanks to this rally, a lot of people have caught the classic Mercedes bug. I know at least 10 or 15 of them, and I think it’s amazing that their first classic car was a Mercedes,” Goenka said.
Perseus Bandrawalla, who has been organizing the event since its start, asserted that “no other brand has the sheer number of historic automobiles in India as Mercedes-Benz.” “We had a database of about 90 cars when the event began. Today, we can proudly state that we have over 750 vehicles, many of which have been revived or refurbished since the arrival of the MBCCR,” continued Bandrawalla. He claims that the sheer quantity of vehicles in a variety of body types shows how well-liked Mercedes-Benz vehicles were in India even before the company entered the market formally. And the number of vehicles still on the road proves how durable these models are, according to Bandrawalla.
All S-Class versions, from the W116 to the most recent W223, will be present during the MBCCR’s 50th-anniversary celebration of the “greatest automobile in the world.” At the MBCCR 2022, the W180 Ponton 220S and W111 Fantails, two renowned forebears of the S-Class, will also be present.
Expect to see all E-Class models, starting with the W120 Ponton and ending with the well-liked W 210. The full lineup, from the 201 to the 203, will be there, so C-Class aficionados won’t be let down either.
Sports automobiles, you ask, what about them? I have some news for you. Along with the coveted A208 CLK Roadster, the event is anticipated to feature the SLS AMG Roadster, the Gullwing, and the first-generation SLK R170 – 230K Final Edition. Alongside the EQS, which symbolizes Mercedes-Benz’s future, the MBCCR will also feature a replica of a motor vehicle from 1886.
The spectacular Mercedes-Benz convoy, flagged off by Martin Schwenk, MD, and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, and Vishwas Nangre Patil, Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order), Mumbai, raised many heads as it wound its way from Bandra to the Worli Sea Face and back. The Star Classic category, which debuted this year and featured every Mercedes built and sold in India up to 2002, provided spectators with more recognizable icons like the complete India range, up to the W203 C-Class, W210 E-Class, and even the W220 S-Class. Besides Rajkot, Goa, and Kochi, other cities took part in the rally.
The MBCCR also had all seven generations of the ground-breaking vehicle on display in honor of the S-Class, which is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year. Each generation was represented by at least two variants.
Since I started attending the rally in 2018, the cars on display and the owners’ unbridled passion for honoring Mercedes-Benz’s heritage have consistently surpassed my expectations, according to Schwenk.
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The oldest Mercedes at the event, a 1929 Nurburg owned by Yashvardhan Ruia, claimed that the MBCCR had inspired many owners to restore their Benzes. It’s nice to see so many folks restoring their W123s and 126s. Furthermore, Mercedes has done a fantastic job of preserving its history in this nation, according to Ruia.
Perseus Bandrawalla, the rally’s curator, claimed that during the past nine years, the MBCCR had not only rekindled interest in Mercedes-Benz classics but also preserved a significant portion of India’s automotive heritage. No other automaker produces as many vintage vehicles as it does in this nation. While we are happy that the MBCCR has become a highly anticipated, internationally renowned event, what’s equally significant is that it has cultivated a thriving community and ecosystem of collectors and restorers, according to Bandrawalla.