VADODARA: For over a decade, Bollywood actress of yesteryears Mumtaz rode the elegant Rolls-Royce that was custom-made for Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of erstwhile Baroda state. After cruising around the country, the vintage car has now returned to the royal family’s fold after nearly 50 years.
Pratapsinh Gaekwad, scion of the royal Gaekwad family, bought the 1934 Rolls-Royce for an undisclosed amount and is now restoring it.
“The Rolls-Royce was specially designed for Maharaja Sayajirao. He used to ride in this car for years. With a sentimental value, the car is part of our family heritage. So, I decided to buy the car and bring it back into our family,” Pratapsinh told TOI from Mumbai.
The seven-seater petrol car was ordered in Paris in July 1934 and its stylish coach was made by popular French company Kellner.
Car restoration will take 8-10 months, says Pratapsinh
The vintage beauty was so stylish that the company displayed it in 1934 at Salon de l’automobile – a popular automobile show in Paris. The car remained a prized possession of the royal Gaekwads in Vadodara till the late 1970s.
“It was sold to a businessman Mayur Madhvani, actress Mumtaz‘s husband. The couple used to often travel in it. After nearly 12 years, the Rolls-Royce again changed hands when Diljit Titus, an advocate and car collector, bought it,” Gaekwad, great great grandson of Sayajirao III, said.
“I learnt that Titus had decided to sell the car some years ago and I made up my mind to buy it. I got its possession three years ago (during Covid) and decided to restore it to its original avatar,” he revealed.
As the car’s ownership had changed twice, many of its specifications were changed. Originally, the Rolls-Royce’s colour was navy blue with cherry red interiors. But when Gaekwad bought it, the car’s colour was silver and black with black interiors.
“The car will be back in its original colour and it will take about 8-10 months for complete restoration. Christopher Rodrigues, who is an expert in restoring vintage cars, is working on its engine and chassis. The body, colour and paint will be done at a special garage for vintage cars,” Gaekwad added. Once in his possession, Gaekwad will drive it down the Mumbai streets and also promises to exhibit it at the vintage car shows. “I am proud of our heritage,” he added.
The royal Gaekwad family once had a fleet of imported cars including Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Chevrolets in their collection. Both Sayajirao and his grandson Pratapsinghrao were concessioner of cars. Maharaja Sayajirao was one of the tallest kings in the country during his rule.
Pratapsinh Gaekwad, scion of the royal Gaekwad family, bought the 1934 Rolls-Royce for an undisclosed amount and is now restoring it.
“The Rolls-Royce was specially designed for Maharaja Sayajirao. He used to ride in this car for years. With a sentimental value, the car is part of our family heritage. So, I decided to buy the car and bring it back into our family,” Pratapsinh told TOI from Mumbai.
The seven-seater petrol car was ordered in Paris in July 1934 and its stylish coach was made by popular French company Kellner.
Car restoration will take 8-10 months, says Pratapsinh
The vintage beauty was so stylish that the company displayed it in 1934 at Salon de l’automobile – a popular automobile show in Paris. The car remained a prized possession of the royal Gaekwads in Vadodara till the late 1970s.
“It was sold to a businessman Mayur Madhvani, actress Mumtaz‘s husband. The couple used to often travel in it. After nearly 12 years, the Rolls-Royce again changed hands when Diljit Titus, an advocate and car collector, bought it,” Gaekwad, great great grandson of Sayajirao III, said.
“I learnt that Titus had decided to sell the car some years ago and I made up my mind to buy it. I got its possession three years ago (during Covid) and decided to restore it to its original avatar,” he revealed.
As the car’s ownership had changed twice, many of its specifications were changed. Originally, the Rolls-Royce’s colour was navy blue with cherry red interiors. But when Gaekwad bought it, the car’s colour was silver and black with black interiors.
“The car will be back in its original colour and it will take about 8-10 months for complete restoration. Christopher Rodrigues, who is an expert in restoring vintage cars, is working on its engine and chassis. The body, colour and paint will be done at a special garage for vintage cars,” Gaekwad added. Once in his possession, Gaekwad will drive it down the Mumbai streets and also promises to exhibit it at the vintage car shows. “I am proud of our heritage,” he added.
The royal Gaekwad family once had a fleet of imported cars including Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Chevrolets in their collection. Both Sayajirao and his grandson Pratapsinghrao were concessioner of cars. Maharaja Sayajirao was one of the tallest kings in the country during his rule.
Source Agencies
