Concours d’Bravura

Nearly 70 cars and a sizable number of motorcyles, from the vintage stable assembled in the Palace Grounds of Taj Falaknuma on Sunday, marking the fifth edition of Concours d’Elegance – titled Cartier ‘Travel with Style’.

The event is considered as one of the benchmark exhibits of its kind, showcasing the best and rarest of Indian automotive heritage on an international platform.

Princess Esra of the Hyderabad Nizams opened the doors to her family seat for the concours. Hosted by Guillame Alix, Regional Managing Director, Cartier Middle East, India and Africa, and curated by the automotive historian and expert Manvendra Singh of Barwani, the Cartier Concours showcased some of the rarest and best-preserved vintage automobiles from across India.

The Cartier Travel with Style Concours is now part of the FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) World Motoring Heritage Year programme (WMHY) with patronage from UNESCO. The Concours is listed as a Type 1 event. Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ New Delhi 2011 first introduced the Preservation Class, that showcases original unrestored cars, as well as the Indian Heritage Class, that highlights early Indian built cars.

Manvendra Singh, Curator- Cartier Travel With Style, says, “It is nice to have international recognition for the Cartier Concours, not only from FIVA but also from our distinguished panel of Judges, who love to return to the event. We are proud to organise a uniquely Indian event promoting Indian automotive heritage.”

The growing interest and success of the Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elegance in India, has led to an excessive demand for participation in this prestigious and internationally recognized event. The growth of the Concours has also lead to the increase in vehicle restoration standards. Vehicles restored in India can now easily match exacting international standards.

"The coming edition will witness the introduction of the very special FIVA Preservation Award, an immense recognition for the painstaking efforts of Indian collectors along with addition of new categories like Americain Aerodynamique. As always, our vision is to highlight the automobile heritage of this astonishing country in a larger and improved format," shares Singh.