Vadodara celebrates the spirit of Heritage motoring at 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance 2023
- A 3-day Vintage Motoring & cultural extravaganza begins at Lukshmi Villas Palace
Vadodara, 6th January 2023: The tenth edition of Asia’s most prestigious motoring event, 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance warms the winters with the roaring engines of rare and magnificent vintage cars at its grand inauguration at the royal Lukshmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara.
The Chief Guest for the first day of this 3-day mega event, HH Shubhangini raje Gaekwad, Rajmata of Baroda inaugurated the display of Vintage & Classic cars and the Concours Show.
A grand celebration with dances, arts and culture, the 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance welcomed thousands of visitors from around the globe and many eminent guests & renowned personalities that included HH Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, Maharaja of Baroda, HH Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of Baroda, Mr. Yohan Poonawalla, Mr. Harsh Pati Singhania, Mr. Gautam Singhania, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Mr Gaurav Gupta, Chief Commercial Officer, MG Motor India and other esteemed members of the Royal Families of India, graced the event.
More than 200s of vintage and classic Indian marquees, 120 veteran bikes and Maharaja cars proudly boasting the Indian heritage and the long history involving the passion of motoring. Our defence forces did not hold back from proudly boasting their vintage military vehicles.
The Show has witnessed a special section of MG’s Cars as its legacy and long line of heritage has been a centre of attraction for participants and fellow vintage car owners all these years at the 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance. MG Cars at the display are 1946 MG TC Sports Tourer, 1958 MGA convertible, 1979 MG Midget, 1947 MG TC, 1948 MG TC, 1965 MGB, 1964 MG B, 1951 MG TD, 1958 MG MGA Roadster, 1955 MG ZA Magnette Saloon, MG TD, 1950 MG YT and 1963 MG Midget Convertible.
With the assembly of rarities from the past centuries parked in front of the grand royal Lukshmi Vilas Palace, this was a once-in-a-blue-moon sight to behold. The visitors feasted their eyes and interest as they witnessed the rarest, stunning and never seen before motoring masterpieces from all over the world, 1911 Napier, 1922 Daimler, 1930 Chevrolet depot hack woody, 1932 Chevy, 1935 Ford Special, 1938 Armstrong Sidley, 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30, 1947 Buick Roadmaster Convertible, 1947 Daimler DB18, 1948 Humber, 1948 Bentley Marc VI, 1948 Buick Super, 1936 Dodge D2 Convertible Sedan, 1942 jeep ford GPW, 1936 Bentley 3.5, 1937 Bentley 4.24, 1937 Bentley Vanden Plas etc. Rare cars from the Veteran and Edwardian class in which the oldest car participating in the Concours being from 1902, pre-war American, pre-war European, post-war American, post-war European, many rare Rolls Royce and Bentley vintage beauties, Playboy cars, special cars to name a few!
Vintage & classic cars from Assam, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ahmadabad, Baroda, Mansa, Himmat Nagar, Surat, Anand and various other parts of the country were present at the 21 Gun Salute Concours Show d’Elegance.
The oldest automobile on display was the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen- the first car invented by Karl Benz – pioneering founder of Mercedes-Benz. For the first time in motoring history, the Maharaja cars of Baroda are also on display at the 21 Gun Salute Concours d’ Elegance.
In the inaugural speech HH Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, Rajmata of Baroda expressed the value of promoting Gujarat’s rich heritage and history, “It is yet another opportunity for Vadodara to exhibit its rich heritage and hospitality. The three day extravaganza also allows automobile and vintage car enthusiasts from the rest of India and the world to know the historic city of Vadodara and the vibrancy of the state of Gujarat. It is also a matter of great excitement that the world famous event, ’21 Gun Salute Concours’, is being hosted at The LukshmiVilas Palace, which itself is world renowned for its history and the legacy it carries. More and more people should visit Vadodara and experience the elegant and world-class hospitality of LukshmiVilas Palace . We should look forward for more and more such opportunities to showcase our rich tradition and culture to the world.“
The co-host of the show HH Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, Maharaja of Baroda said, “21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance has birthed a legacy by its innovative way to promote India’s rich heritage through the wheels of vintage motors from all around the world. We aspire to uplift our beautiful traditions, culture and monuments passed down from generation to generation and mark Vadodara as a global tourism site. Mr Madan Mohan’s unquenchable passion is commendable as many recognized names and aficionados are present here from all around the world. Thus, the growth of this event has roused much national and international tourism in Gujarat & other parts of India.
Mr Madan Mohan, Chairman & Managing Trustee, 21 Gun Salute Heritage & Cultural Trust said, “The tenth edition of this Concours is taking a huge leap towards our goal to mark different parts of India in the global tourism map. The enthusiasm from both national and international automobile lovers has been tremendous to say the least. The masterpieces came together to exhibit automobile Excellency along with the diverse and rich history of Incredible India.”
“We wish to explore 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance 2023 into a heritage journey across various cities starting from Delhi & now at Vadodara-Gujarat. The idea is to not just showcase our motor heritage but also explore the internal beauty of our country, the rural and the virgin regions otherwise untouched.
Through this event, I take forward my passion and my dream that aims at establishing India as a world-classing Motoring Tourism destination & through the 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance 2023, we will surely make a mark on the India on Global Heritage Tourism Map, attracting lakhs of international tourists from all over the world, in the future editions of the event.” Further added by Mr. Madan Mohan
Talking about the long association with MG, Mr. Madan Mohan further added that “Being an owner of variety MGs, I believe that they prioritise experience and take technology to the next level. We are proud that this year the event is set for a full grandeur in MG’s heart – Vadodara city.”
Mr Gaurav Gupta, Chief Commercial Officer, MG Motor India said “MG is proud of its 100-year rich legacy and our MG Car Club (MGCC) has over 400 vintage MG cars in India which have a royal lineage. We applaud Concours d’Elegance 2023 for its efforts to promote and popularize Indian heritage car tourism. We are happy to associate with this event as it echoes our commitment to memorable experiences, and which is happening in our home and manufacturing center in India – Vadodra.”
The tech talks, cultural celebrations and splendid vintage cars in attendance combined to build a paradise for motor experts and enthusiasts. The fascinating cars in the backdrop of India’s diverse culture are a formula for the most unique and exquisite event. Seeking blessings from the God of beginnings 21 Gun Salute Concours began with Ganesh Vandana followed by elegant classical dance performances of Gujarat were a sheer delight to watch.
The Concours is organised by the 21 Gun Salute Heritage & Cultural Trust in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and with the strong support of Gujarat Tourism to boost Incredible India! campaign. Lukshmi Vila palace sojourning the Concours is the most impressive Raj-era palace and the largest private home built to date, covering over 500 acres of land, four times the size of Buckingham Palace. Vadodara showcases Gujarat’s excellent artistic and architectural talents from both the present and past eras. It would be a huge step forward in generating interest in India and Gujarat among global tourists and establishing ourselves as a world-class Heritage & Motoring Tourism Destination. The attendees will receive a royal welcome from the Royal House of Baroda which has a long and illustrated history overflowing with patriotism, patronage, tradition and Guajarati culture.
