Classic Car-tier                           (Events)

The event:
The Cartier Travel With Style Concours took place over the weekend of the 31st October/2nd November 2008 at the Royal Western India Turf Club, Mumbai, India. The exhibition commemorated India's opulent automobile heritage.         Kam Jaspal (11 Nov '08)

What was it?

(Above) Maharaja Dunleep Singhji of Jodhpur

An international stage for Indian royalty and private collectors to display their most coveted classic cars. Many of the cars never been exhibited in India before. The event  harks back to the time of the Raj when India's ruling families bought the finest cars in the world in huge quantities. The greatest coach builders and designers were specially commissioned to produce lavish, distinctive and sometimes bizarre specifications to satisfy the whims, taste and eccentricities of their fabulously rich clients.

The Cartier Travel with Style Concours comprised four categories: Vintage Classics, Post-war Classics, Exotic Cars and Roadsters and "The Best Car of the Show Award".

These automobiles are classified as truly Indian cars, some of which rank among the most priceless and prestigious in the world due to their extraordinary and imaginative design.

The event became a celebration of sixty hand chosen classic cars from across the globe and the autmotive design and coach building of India's belle époque.

Yasmin Le Bon

Who was there?

(L-R) Cartier CEO Bernard Fornas, Yasmin Le Bon and actor Shahrukh Khan

India's foremost car expert, Manvendra Smgh Batwarn, selected the cars. The event was conceived and orchestrated by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall's brother, conservationist and travel writer, Mark Shand. Maharajas and other royalty mingled with Bollywood celebrities Shah Rukh Khan and Yuvraj Singh. Judges included H.R.H Prince Michael of Kent, Imran Khan and Yasmin Le Bon while master of ceremonies, Alain de Cadenet announced the final winners.

(Above) Maharaja Duleep Singhji Jodhpur wins Best Car of the Show for a Delhaye 135 MS 1935.

 
What they said:  

"This event would not have been possible without the car owners, who kindly loaned us their remarkable automobiles, as part of this amazing Indian culture and like Cartier the jeweller, these 60 cars are jewels of India."
Bernard Fornas - CEO, Cartier International.

Click image for gallery: 

RK__________________________