The rally that started as a one-off event to celebrate 120 Years of Motorsport with Mercedes-Benz has let car lovers flock to Mumbai from all parts of the country. Photos Courtesy: Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2024
The cars were laid across majestically on the sprawling, grand lawns of Taj Land’s End in Bandra, before taking on the rest of the city. It saw the rarest and most valuable Mercedes-Benz classics on display.
Among the standout highlights was the much-anticipated Supercharged Class, showcasing the iconic Kompressor (German for supercharger) models from the 1920s and 1930s that ushered in the age of superchargers pioneered by Mercedes-Benz. In photos, the rally was flagged off by chief guest and MLA Ashish Shelar, Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO, Santosh Iyer, along with Lance Bennett, VP-Sales & Marketing, and Emmanuel Bacquet, curator of MAC - Museum Art & Cars in Germany and head of the Selection Committee for Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
The Superlimousine Class provided a rare glimpse into Mercedes-Benz’s opulent history. Cars like the Nurburg, 600 Grosser, and the multiple 300 Adenauer variants turned heads with their majestic proportions and stately grace, offering a window into an era of unrivalled luxury and prestige. Another head turner featured in this class was a 1000SEL (V126), which drew hundreds of pictures from fans and enthusiasts alike. In photo, the convoy was led by the 500K & 380SL as the rally rolled down Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Road at Bandra Bandstand
The Bruno Sacco Class paid tribute to the legendary Italian designer, spotlighting his timeless creations. This class was a celebration of design excellence, featuring iconic models that bore Sacco’s visionary touch, reminding enthusiasts of his transformative influence on Mercedes-Benz aesthetics. This includes the first-generation SLK, the legendary G-Wagen and the timeless SEC (C126) S-Class coupe, which is largely considered as one of his greatest works. In photo, the Supercharged Mercedes-Benz 500K is flagged off for the rally.
Adding a unique charm to this year’s rally was the Mile Munchers Class, which honoured participants who drove down in their classic beauties from distant locations like Goa, Lucknow, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mysore and Rajkot. Some of the beauties that made the drive to Mumbai were the 190 (W201), the 240D (W123) and E220 (W124).
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