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Cartier ‘Travel With Style’ Concours d’Elegance Returns to India

On Sunday, 24th February, Cartier Concours d’Elegance travelled to the picturesque Land of Maharajas, Jaipur for the sixth edition of Cartier Travel With Style to present a memorable showcase hosted by Mr Christophe Massoni, CEO Cartier Middle East, Africa and India. It is curated by Mr. Manvendra Singh Barwani. The iconic event was held in the presence of His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur at Rambagh Palace, previously a residence of the Jaipur Royal Family. On the occasion were also present: HH Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur and Maharaja Gaj Singh ji of Jodhpur

 

 

Cartier hosted the first ever international Concours d’Elegancein India at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai in 2008. The next editions were hosted in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ 2019 featured 86 classic automobiles from nine distinctive classes and 26 motorcycles from three signatures classes, from the esteemed stables of Indian royal patrons and noted private collectors. Cartier is deeply appreciative of the support provided by the Directors of Rambagh Palace to host the landmark event at the true “Jewel of Jaipur” originally built in 1835. The Palace retains its elaborate splendour, extravagantly decorated with hand carved marble jaalis or latticework, sandstone balustrades, cupolas and chhatris or cenotaphs, and elaborate Mughal Gardens.

 

Since the inception of Cartier ‘Travel with Style’, over the past 10 years, not only has the classic car collection seen a paradigm shift here, but the importance of India in the historical context of automobiles has again been brought to the forefront internationally. World renowned shows like Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, USA and Salon Retro Mobile, France have featured categories for cars originally sold to Indian owners, more specifically the erstwhile rulers. Cartier Travel with Style curator, Manvendra Singh Barwani also serves as a Judge at the Pebble Beach Concours, amongst others.The growing interest and success of this Concours d’Elegance in India has led to a significant increase in demand for participation in this prestigious and internationally recognized event and this has lead to further enhancing the global benchmark of vehicle restoration standards. The automotives restored in India can now easily match the exacting international standards thereby leading to an increase in the number of car owners going in for restoration of their cars, especially amongst millennials.

 

Said Mr. Christophe Massoni, CEO, Cartier Middle East, Africa & India said, “The relationship between Cartier and India dates back to the 1900s where Jacques Cartier, grandson of the Maison’s founder, travelled to India in search for exquisite gems and pearls. He came back with a great source of inspiration that inspired stunning creations such as Tutti Frutti and still nurtures Cartier’s style today. This was the starting point of a genuine relationship where Maharajas entrusted the Maison creativity, expertise and craftsmanship to magnify their gemstones into marvellous designs. Today, with Travel with Style exhibition, these unique and historical cars are precious treasures of India just as Cartier jewels are to Maharajas. This magnificent event highlights the heritage, the transmission and a unique sense of beauty, values that are so dear to this beautiful country and deeply carved in Cartier’s DNA”

 

The unique exhibit was judged by world’s leading designers, most successful industrialists and most knowledgeable collectors of classic cars and culminated with an award giving ceremony hosted by Master of Ceremonies Mr Alain de Cadanet.

 

The Best Car of the Show was the 1935 Rolls Royce – Phantom 2 – Continental owned by Mr. Amir Jetha and the Best Motorcycle of the Show was the 1940 Indian – Junior Scout owned by Mr. Sandeep Kapoor. The 1935 Rolls Royce – Phantom 2 – Continental has been in the current family of owners since 1962. It is indeed exquisite being the last Rolls Royce Continental that exists today. Notable highlights of the presentation include the Cartier Resurrection Cup awarded to the 1922 Ansaldo – Tipo F owned by Mr. Nitin Dossa and given by Chief Judge Simon Kidston while Special Award was given by HH Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur to the 1937 Daimler – 24EL owned by Mr. Ravi Pittie. Her Highness also presented the Judges Award to the 1906 Renault – 8HP owned by Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria. Other special highlights comprise of: The Mark Shand Adventurer Trophy was presented to 1951 Standard-Vanguard Phase 1 owned by Mr. & Mrs. Viveck & Zita Goenka and was given by Ben Elliot, the nephew of Mark Shand; the Best In Class – Preservation award went to 1947 – Chevrolet – Fleetmaster owned by Mr. Kaizad Engineer; and theBest In Class – Thunderbird was awarded to 1961 – Ford – Thunderbird owned by Mr. & Mrs. Viveck& Zita Goenka.

 

There were three exciting new automotive categories in this edition namely ‘Ford Thunderbird’, ‘Sports Cars’; and the ‘Pre War Classics Transportation’; in addition to the pre-established categories – Pre-War / Pre-War – Rolls Royce, Post-War, Indian Heritage, Preservation, and Roadster classes. The three signature classes of motorcycles were Veteran Vintage, Pre-War and Post-War. The sixth edition of Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ continued to include the Preservation Class’(introduced in 2011 edition) presenting original unrestored cars and the Indian Heritage Class’that has become very popular, giving a new lease of life to cars built in early independent India, making them genuine collectables.

 

The ‘Ford Thunderbird’ class exhibited the 1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible currently owned by His Highness HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh. Three cars of Maharani Gayatri Devi showcased in this edition, included the last car that she drove till the age of seventy five – a 1968 28 0S Mercedes Saloon now with owner Sudhir Kasliwal; a 1947 Super 8 Buick Convertible which also won the award in the category of Best In Class – Post-War Classic American and currently owned by Mr. Dinesh Lal anda 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible whose current owner is Vikram Singh.

Speaking on the occasion said curator Manvendra Singh, For each edition we try to raise the bar higher by introducing new categories and elements that augment the visual montage of India’s automotive legacy. When an owner brings a car to Cartier with an intention of showcasing, the most important criterion is that the car must be period correct, i.e., the colour, upholstery, the kind of accessories in it have to adhere to the era that the car originally belongs to. The choice of location is also key to the entire presentation and so this year, Concours d’Elegance travelled for the first time to Jaipur, for what can be a more stunning backdrop than The Rambagh Palace.” He further added, “While curating the show it is important to look at, not only the history of automobiles, but also where the future is going. Over the years, the quality of restoration in India has become so remarkable that cars from our country are now participating internationally. Sandra Button, Chairman & CEO of Pebble Beach who has been coming as a judge to India, invited nine Indian cars to showcase at the last edition of Pebble Beach under the special “Raj Class”. The ‘Pre-War Transportation Class’ has also been created for the very first time including vehicles that are all bodied in India by our local artisans. This was the style of cars made after the buggy & bail gaadi – before they went onto the European and the American style. The reason for promoting this new class of cars is that if not showcased they will go into scrap! These automobiles truly display the distinct culture of how we travelled in India. This kind of a unique exhibit makes Cartier Travel with Style truly special on the global Concours map”.

 

The panel of judges comprised of Chief Judge Simon Kidston, a.k.a the New Age Bentley Boy is an expert authority on heritage automobiles who also serves as a judge at Pebble Beach concours alongwith serving as the multilingual commentator of the Mille Miglia and the Villa d’Este concours. The judging panel continued to include Sandra Button, Chairman of Pebble Beach Concours dÉlegance. Some of the world’s most significant names in the world of vintage classic cars were present as judges for the first time at Cartier Travel with Style, namely Charles Richmond (Duke of Richmond and Gordon) – Founder of the widely acclaimed Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival and Lorenzo Ramaciotti – President of the Jury at ConcorsodÉleganza Villa dÉste since 2005. In additionStefano Domenicali, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini was also present as a judge for the first time at the sixth edition. Other judges include: Giacomo Agostini, Nicholas Coleridge, William E. (Chip) Connor, Sir Michael Kadoorie, David McKirdy, Gordon Murray, Patrick Mark, Mark Stewart, Peter Stevens and Jean Todt.

 

On the occasion was also present: Sophie Doireau, Managing Director, UAE & India. The crème-de-la-crème of the Indian society mingled with noted international guests, esteemed judges and royal collectors over lunch and high tea. These included: Tarang Arora and Rajiv Arora of Amrapali Jewels, Anoop Bartaria Chairman of World Trade Park Jaipur, Siddharth Kasliwalof Gem Palace, Kunwar Rudra Pratap Singh of Diggi, Yuvrani& Yuvraj Harshvardhan Singh of Dungarpur, Arpana Kumari of Samode, Rima Hooja Consultant Director of City Palace Museum, Noelle Kadar of The Sculpture Park with her husband Akshat Ghiya, luxury consultant Gaurav Bhatiawith his sister Payal Bhatia, Barbara Miolini& Will Mulford of Bar Palladio, Geetanjali Kasliwal of AnanTaya, Colombian fashion designer Virginia Borrero De Castro, co-founder of Karu Alexis Barrell, Ex Chairperson FICCI FLO Apra Kuchhalwith her husband Kunal Kuchhal of Sarraff Hotels, Simon Marks of DYPT as well as other prominent Jaipur personalities such us Digvijay Singh, Jayshree Periwal, Kamal Kothari and designer Himmat Singh to name a few, were also in attendance at the event.

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