Words: Sayantan De | Photography: Oberoi Group, BMW
The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, in only its second-ever running, has become the premier Concours event in India, thanks in no small part to the organisers. The event is led by Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman of The Oberoi Group, along with automotive historian and curator Manvendra Singh and his son, our very own columnist Siddhraj Singh. Through the efforts of these people, and many others, the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance 2026 transcended its recent origin and became the talking point of the vintage and classic car community, not just in India, but around the world. The Oberoi property of Udaivilas, located in Udaipur, provided a stunning and regal backdrop to the soiree.
It wouldn’t be a proper Concours d’Elegance event without a plethora of categories for the participating vehicles, and it was no exception for the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance 2026 as well, the the 3-day extravaganza featuring nearly a hundred vehicles distributed among the following classes—Pre-War Classics (European), Pre-War Classics (American), Post War Classics (European), Post War Classics (American), Pre-War Classics (Rolls Royce), Cars of The Maharajahs (Jodhpur), Indian Heritage Motor Racing, Indian Heritage Preservation, Youngtimer Classics, and Indian Coachbuilt: Then & Now. Two-wheelers were not overlooked in any way, as there were four motorcycle classes—Veteran (Vintage), Pre-War Classics, Post-War Classics, and Indian Heritage – Motor Racing.
Among those that won, the Maharaja of Jodhpur’s parrot-green 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental for ‘Spirit of Elegance,’ and ‘Best in Show’ winner 1939 Bentley 4.25-Litre Drophead Coupé of Mr Dhanraj Gidwaney (both depicted on the previous page) stood out from the crowd. Yohan Poonawalla was honoured with a special mention plaque for the Phantom Retrospective, as he had contributed seven of his 12 Rolls-Royce Phantoms to the display! Furthermore, BMW Group Classic flew over some exceptional metal-and-glass moving sculptures from its Munich HQ, such as the 1957 BMW 507 Roadster, with colour-coded wheels, and the 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ (depicted on the previous page as well).
The judges’ panel, comprised 17 individuals, whose bios would warrant a separate story of its own, was led by Sandra Button, chairperson at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jacky Ickx, Giacomo Agostini, Derek Bell MBE, Prof Peter Stevens, Prof Gordan Murray, Prince Michael of Kent, Sir Michael Kadoorie, and Jean Todt. David McKirdy served as the chief judge for motorcycles, like the 2024 edition.
All in all, the success of the 2026 Edition of the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance event proved that the love for vintage machines and that bygone era of grandeur is still alive in the hearts of the people of this country.
