Celebrating its 100 years, Raymond Limited – the name famous for its fine suits – organised the Raymond Autofest, or, as I’d describe it, a five-star buffet for every auto enthusiast. Over the past century, the company has expanded beyond fabrics to real estate, engineering, and, of course, cars, and all because of its managing director, Gautam Singhania.
To say that Singhania is a passionate petrolhead would be an understatement. Beyond owning a drool-worthy collection of vehicles, he also founded the Super Car Club Garage (SCCG), a facility offering everything from paint jobs and performance mods to classic car restorations – all under one roof.
So, why would I call this an enthusiast’s dream? For starters, there was something for everyone – vintage cars and bikes, modern classics, supercars, JDM legends, the Batmobile and a two-time Formula 1 World Champion. Spanning three days across the Raymond grounds in Thane, what truly cemented this as an event for enthusiasts was its accessibility: no entry fees, no VIP tickets, just a spectacle for all to immerse themselves in.
But before we get to the cars, we absolutely have to talk about some of the star power present. Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen had the crowds eagerly awaiting his arrival. Alongside the Flying Finn, another star sharing the spotlight was former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri, who arrived at the venue in his iconic Audi 100, restored a few years ago by SCCG.
Once known for his spin bowling, Shastri was welcomed with a different kind of spin – a thrilling drift session in a Nissan S14 with Singhania, which surely left him stumped.
Now, let’s get to the automobiles – the cars and bikes. With over 700 vehicles from across the country, there was no shortage of automotive eye candy. First up was the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Enthusiasts Club, which showcased a stunning range of models, from the nearly 100-year-old Rolls-Royce Sports Saloon to the relatively modern 2003 Bentley Brooklands. Nearby, an eclectic mix of bikes and scooters drew plenty of admiration.
Enthusiasts marvelled at cult classics like the Yamaha RX 100, vintage Vespa and Lambretta scooters, Yezdis, and more powerful machines, such as the Honda Goldwing, CBR400RR ‘Baby Blade’, and BMW R90S, to name a few. Standing alone in quiet elegance was a Royal Enfield Model 200 from the 1920s, and it was refreshing to see a different kind of ‘classic’ Royal Enfield on display.
The second of the four display zones was housed indoors and dedicated to gloriously restored vintage specials. Fiat, Dodge, Jaguar and Mercedes – each brand was represented under one roof. Beyond the meticulous attention to detail and pristine condition of these classics, what truly caught my eye was a Jaguar XK120. Finished in a menacing shade of black with a deep cherry-red interior; it looked like something a supervillain would drive to make a statement.
Considering this car is over 70 years old, it’s fascinating to see how Jaguar’s design language has evolved over the decades, especially when compared to the recently revealed Type 00 concept.
The third display zone housed the modern classics, many of which were curated by the Autocar India team, and it was an absolute treat! From fan favourites in the JDM corner – like the Toyota Supra, R33 Nissan Skyline, Subaru WRX STI, and even a petite Miata – to drool-worthy Mercs, including a spicy W124 with a Toyota 2JZ swap! And that was just half the display.
A quick glance around, and you’d spot not one but two ridiculously large Ford pickup trucks – an ’80s F-150 and a more modern F-250 – both of which made D-segment SUVs look almost compact. Apart from the cars, two planes were casually displayed: a Douglas DC-3 and a MiG-21.
Then came the final display zone, which drew the biggest crowds. Sprawled across a barricaded section of the grounds was a line-up of cars you wouldn’t typically see together. A collection – yes, multiple cars – from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Audi and Mercedes, all gathered together.
An 812 Competizione, an F430, a GT3 RS, a Carrera S, and more; it was easy to see why so many made the journey just to catch a glimpse of these machines. And if that wasn’t enough, there was even a Nissan GT-R owned by Sachin Tendulkar – the only Egoist Edition in the country!
When writing about an event that you only observe, the usual challenge is finding enough to say. But with the Raymond 100 Autofest, the real question was, ‘What do I leave out?’ Attendees – including myself – were spoilt for choice at this automotive smorgasbord.
The event was a melting pot for the car community, where owners mingled with the crowd, occasionally firing up their engines to let them roar. Events like this are rare, but the good news is that this one could become a yearly affair. Stay tuned for the next edition!
