You don’t need to be a devoted car enthusiast to appreciate the allure of vintage car museums – they exude an undeniable coolness. In the past, numerous Indian royal families boasted globally renowned collections. Historical records suggest that Indian Maharajas collectively possessed around 900 Rolls Royces between 1908 and 1939. They established them as significant patrons of the model during that era. This inclination was driven by the desire to showcase their status through these impeccably maintained vehicles, a sentiment that has transcended into contemporary society. Esteemed collectors later embraced this trend, leveraging their abundant resources to restore these iconic automobiles to their former magnificence.
Today, vintage cars epitomize luxury, serving as a tribute to a prestigious bygone era and offering a visually captivating spectacle. This legacy is cherished and diligently preserved, often presented in gleaming displays. Picture vintage Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Mercedes, and more. Many Indian cities organize rallies and exhibitions to allow these treasures to grace the roads once again. While some of these treasures remain in private hands, numerous have found a permanent abode within the country’s renowned vintage car museums.
Vintage car museums in India
1. Classic And Vintage Car Collection, Udaipur
When you think of gold-laden royalty, Rajasthan comes to mind. So it’s only natural that Udaipur, the city of seraphic marble palaces and glassy water lakes, is home to one of India’s most striking vintage car museums. Dubbed the Vintage and Classic Car Museum, it has on display at least four Rolls Royces. It also has two Cadillacs, one MG-TC convertible, one Ford-A Convertible, one Vauxhall-12. It is a host of other interesting vehicles like solar-powered rickshaws.
2. Ashvek Vintage World, Nuvem, Goa
The Ashvek Vintage World was set up in 2004 by its owner, Pradeep V Naik, in an attempt to get the younger generations interested in automotive history. Situated on the Panjim-Margao highway, the museum has on display over a dozen vintage cars from Goa. Alongwith the other neighbouring areas like Kolhapur, Belgaum and Sawantwadi. This includes a Tempo G1200 that was born in Hamburg in 1927, a 1931 Peugeot 301 and a 1961 Opel Kapitan.
3. Auto World, Ahmedabad
A pioneer within India’s niche car collector space, the late Pranlal Bhogilal, at one point, had over 200 cars including 36 Rolls Royces that were parked in his many houses across the country. About 100 vintage cars from his priceless collection were then showcased in Auto World, located in his Dastan Estate in Ahmedabad. In 1997, half a century after Independence, Bhogilal got a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I which had the Barker body painted in the shades of the Indian Tricolour. He called this particular model, “Azad”. Also seen at the museum are a 1923 Silver Ghost, a 1927 Phantom I with a limousine body by Windovers, a 1936 Phantom III and a 1937 Phantom III.
4. Heritage Transport Museum – Haryana
The Heritage Transport Museum showcases the evolution of transportation in India. It holds rank as the country’s first comprehensive transport museum. A treasure trove of vintage cars like the 1985 Citroen BX Sedan, 1968 Volkswagen Kombi Van T2 and 1954 Hindustan Landmaster. Other than these, the museum also displays primitive vehicles, railway transport, and even aircrafts.
5. Manjusha Museum – Dharmasthala
Located near the Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, the Manjusha Museum reflects the private collection of the Dharmadikari of Dharmasthala, Sri Veerendra Hegde. It boasts of vintage cars like the German Adler. Moreover, a 1926 Mercedes Benz, a 1947 Chevrolet, a 1924 Rolls Royce and more. It also has on display historic temple chariots, antiques, paintings and coins from the Mauryan Empire.
6. GeDee Car Museum – Tamil Nadu
Inaugurated in 2015, the GeeDee Car Museum, also called the GD Naidu Car Museum, was set up by GD Gopal, son of industrialist GD Naidu, in Coimbatore. It’s said that Naidu was fascinated by the many luxury cars he’d come across during his travels. He started to collect them, a passion that his son inherited. The idea behind the museum is for the general public to learn about the technology behind these vintage cars. And to known about the people responsible for their innovations. This includes the 1938 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1959 Morris Mini and the 1908 Ford T, among others.
7. Sudha Cars Museum – Hyderabad, Telangana
The Sudha Cars Museum in Hyderabad is the brainchild of K. Sudhakar, who holds the Guinness World Record for making the world’s largest tricycle. The vintage cars on display include the Hindustan 10 model, two-seater Topolino, the 1925 Rolls Royce. Alongwith, 1950 Morris Minor, 1950 TR 3 and more. The museum is also famous for its showcase of some ‘crazy cars’ that are modelled around everyday objects, such as a car shaped like a handbag, a car shaped like a shoe and so on.
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