Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur has become the first Indian ever to win at the recently-concluded five-day 62nd annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event in California, USA.
Shriji’s 1924 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, Barker Tourer (GLK 21), which was selected by the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance panel to participate in the event, won the Lucius Beebe Trophy on August 19, 2012. The trophy is awarded to the Rolls-Royce which is considered most in the tradition of Lucius Beebe, who served as one of Pebble Beach’s early judges.
On this occasion, the House of Mewar also released a 194-page coffee table book dedicated to the history and restoration of this favourite royal car of Udaipur along with the family’s association with Rolls-Royce over seven generations. The House of Mewar has always encouraged various car rallies by actively supporting them. The participation in the Pebble Beach event is another illustration of the royal family’s commitment to protect and showcase their living heritage in order to promote the idea and its importance.
The coffee table book titled ‘The Royal Udaipur RR GLK 21 Classic drive from Derby to Udaipur to Pebble Beach and…Continues’ relives the car’s journey from being bought to being cannibalised for its spare parts to becoming a family favourite.
“India was the ultimate destination for many of Rolls-Royce’s early cars because the Indian Maharanas and Maharajas were only too happy to make the transition from horse-drawn carriages to a car. Back in the old days, this venerable marquee found pride of place for state visits, ceremonies and festivals. By participating in this event, we want to showcase our legacy and our heritage – because today ‘Living Heritage’ has more currency than luxury, whose definition is so dynamic,” the 76th Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar , custodian of the House of Mewar said on the eve of the conclusion of Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.