21 Gun Salute
Gurugram, India 17-18 February
The eighTh running of one of the most prestigious events in India, the extravagantly titled 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show, was regarded as a huge success. Based at the Ambience Greens Golf Course, Gurugram, the rally was flagged off from New Delhi’s India Gate for the 33km drive to the golf course where the concours was held.
As well as entrants from as far afield as Australia, the UK and the USA, the concours was packed with cars with royal and Maharajah connections, such as the 1935 Chrysler Airstream C6 owned by Yuvraj Sri Yograj Singhji Chavda, the 1937 Steyr Daimler 220 of Yuvraj Shri Harshvardhan Singh, and the 1929 Cadillac 341 B and 1931 370 A, owned by Dhananjai Singh Khimsar.
The oldest vehicle in the 125-car concours – split into 16 classes – was a 1903 Humberette, while a welter of Rolls-Royces ran from a 1908 Silver Ghost via a 1930 Phantom II, a 1938 Phantom III and up to a 1965 Siver Cloud III. Bentley was similarly well-represented with a 1922 3 Litre and a 1937 4½ Litre two-door tourer.
Class winners, picked by a roster of judges that ranged from FIVA president Patrick Rollet to Jochen Mass, included Ranjit Pratap’s 1966 Volvo 122 Amazon (Post-War Classic – European trophy), Yashvardhan Ruia’s 1929 Graham Paige Tourer (Pre-War Classic – American) and Jimmy Tata’s 1960 Pontiac Parisienne (Post-War Classic – American). Peter Briggs’ 1922 Bentley Le Mans 3 Litre was honoured, while Nitin Dossa’s 1946 Chrysler Windsor took the FIVA Award (Preservation Class).
The Crème de la crème was then selected from the class winners and awarded to Den
Clockwise from below Winning Mullin Delage alongside Peter Briggs’ Le Mans Bentley; most took part in the 33km road-rally; Rolls-Royce arrives to collect Best of Show award. Gidwani’s 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Gurney Nutting, which took the trophies for Best Rolls-Royce and Best of Show. Pre-War Classic – European, and Best of Show – International, were scooped by Peter Mullin’s 1939 Delage D8-120.
As well as the cars, there was a strong cultural element to the Ministry of Tourism supported event, with Indian classical dance performances and a raft of well-known local and international figures.
Event mastermind Madan Mohan said: ‘Bringing the past of the automotive world to the present, this year’s event was grandiose and more splendid than all other editions. It was just the tip of the iceberg, and we plan to expand the concept to several other regions in future editions of the event.
‘I think we’re going to see a huge movement towards vintage motoring,’ he continued. ‘This spectacular show promises to build on its global success, with a bright future of many rallies, races and titles to follow.’