40 Years of W124
In celebration of the legendary W124 E-Class's 40th anniversary, we showcased every iteration of the W124 series at #MBCCR2024.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally: Celebrating the Golden Age of Motoring
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR), first held in 2014, is today among the benchmarks for one-make classic rallies. Known fondly as the MBCCR, the showcase has fostered a vibrant community of collectors, restorers, as well as a younger generation of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts in India.
Along with the rally what has also grown is an ecosystem of collectors, restorers, dealers and spare-part suppliers that has fueled a one-make restoration culture across India like no other. Fact is, over 600 Classic Mercedes-Benzes have been restored for the show since 2014, with the number of ‘fresh’ cars being worked on every year increasing at a rapid pace. As a result the MBCCR has become the de-facto meeting ground for the country’s business elite and global connoisseurs.
Iconic cars showcased over the years include Viveck Goenka's S-Class collection, Yohan Poonawalla’s 190sl originally owned by Maharani Gayatri Devi, Pratapsinh Gaekwad's 230SL Pagoda, Gautam Singhania's 300 Adenauer cabriolet, Yashvardhan Ruia's 1929 Nurburg, HH Maharaja Himanshu Singh Ji’s 300 SL, and Pranlal Bhogilal’s 300Sc Roadster.
Classes over the years at MBCCR
Bruno Sacco
The late Bruno Sacco, one of the best and most influential designers in automotive history, was honored with a new class introduced in remembrance of this iconic designer. This class celebrated the timeless designs of the Italian maestro.
Supercharged Class
Mercedes-Benz, which pioneered the concept of supercharged road cars, was celebrated with a special supercharged class featuring models manufactured as early as the 1930s.
The essentially bespoke ‘Super Limousine Class’
Bespoke and ultra-luxurious cars, designed for Indian royalty and dignitaries worldwide, were featured in an exclusive class.
Tribute Class
A class dedicated to cars crafted as tributes to the originals included a 190E EVO II tribute, a 124 Brabus replica, 280CE Carlsson rally car and a few more surprises.
Mile Muncher Class
Highlighting the robustness and reliability of Mercedes-Benz engineering, the "Mile Munchers" class showcased classic Mercedes-Benz cars that had journeyed from far-flung places such as Lucknow, Rajkot, Goa, and Kochi, among others to display their cars at MBCCR.
50 Years of the S Class
A class dedicated to every S class all the way from 1972 to present day were on display.
Stronger than time Class
Dedicated to the ‘built-to-military-spec’ G-Class off roaders, right from the first W460 to the current car, W465, this class celebrates the unique appeal and success of Mercedes' tough offroader.
Maharaja and Maharani SL-Class
Every generation of the SL roadster, owned and driven by the Maharja’s and Maharani’s of India. Among them the 300SL (R197) - Maharaja of Gondal, 190SL (W121) - Originally owned by Maharani Gayatri Devi, the 230SL (W113) - Maharaja of Baroda, 380SL (R107) - Maharaja of Dungerpur.
Modern Classic Coupe and Cabriolet Class
Every modern classic coupe and cabriolet produced by Mercedes-Benz from the 1970s to the early millennium.
Celebrity Participants over the Years
Viveck Goenka
MD, Indian Express Group
Yohan Poonawala
Chairman & MD, Poonawala Engineering Group
HH Himanshu of Gondal
17th Maharaja of Gondal
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar
77th Maharana of Mewar
Pratapsinh Gaekwad
Royal Family of Baroda
Gautam Singhania
MD, Raymond Group
Hormusji Cama
Chairman & MD, Mumbai Samachar
Joey Postel
Celebrity Car Collector
Iconic Moments Of 2025
India's grandest-ever classic car event saw the rarest and most valuable Mercedes-Benz classics on display.
Spectators flocked to the lawns at Taj Lands End at the first-ever ticketed showcase of these classic legends.
(L-R) Autocar India Editor, Mr. Hormazd Sorabjee; Chief Guest & MLA of Vandre West, Mr. Ashish Shelar; and Curator of MBCCR, Mr. Perseus Bandrawalla address the participants and spectators at the event.
The 300Sc from the Pranlal Bhogilal Collection being flagged off for the rally.
The convoy rolled down Mumbai's iconic new Coastal Road.
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar unveiled his father's newly-restored 300D (W124), the official state car of Mewar.
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Hormazd Sorabjee,
Editor, Autocar India
“The Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally is the backbone of the classic car movement in India, giving rise to a new genre of classic car collectors and enthusiasts. Autocar India is proud to be associated with such a passionate community of classic car enthusiasts.”
Perseus Bandrawalla,
Curator, MBCCR
“The MBCCR is a museum on wheels, showcasing cars right from the world’s first automobile; the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen (replica), to the state-of-the-art modern classic; the SLS AMG with its iconic gullwing doors. You can practically see the evolution of automobiles over the last 140 years.”
