Classic Drive from Derby to Udaipur to Pebble Beach and...Continues
NArAyAN ruPANI, now better known as Bob, belongs to the pioneering lot of Indian automotive journalists starting with the Indian Auto Journal in 1986. Over the years, he has also been the executive editor of magazines such as Car & Bike International, auto motor und sport (India), BBC TopGear (India). He is presently the managing editor of Auto India. Rupani has also authored the critically acclaimed book Driving Holidays in India. Rupani has participated in several races and rallies with fair success. He has been part of the only Indian team ever to have participated in the Isuzu Challenge Expedition. Rupani is also a founder jury member of the prestigious ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) Award and was Chairman of the jury in 2008 and again in 2012. gAuTAM SeN began his career in 1984, with Maruti Udyog. In 1986, Sen switched industries and launched India’s first news stand car magazine, Indian Auto, as founding editor. In 1992, Sen joined the Business India Group, launching Auto India in 1993 and continues to edit it. Sen’s other books include The Maharajas & Their Magnificent Motor Cars, The Car Design Book and Rolls-Royce 17EX—A Fabulous Destiny.
www.eternalmewar.in www.royalcarsofudaipur.org
MAPIN PuBlISHINg
www.mapinpub.com
Printed in India
MAHArANA MewAr HISTorIcAl PuBlIcATIoNS TruST
Classic Drive from Derby to Udaipur to Pebble Beach and...Continues
First Indian entry to win at Pebble Beach
ANu VIkrAM SINgH (AVS) of Karjali is the Keeper of the Vintage and Classic Car Collection (VCCC) at The City Palace, Udaipur. AVS has been actively associated with VCCC for the last 20 years—from its inception to the present. His unbridled enthusiasm for vintage cars, their working and upkeep has made him a knowledgeable expert in the field, under the guidance of Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar. AVS and his dedicated team developed various in-house restoration methods in the workshop at the Garden Hotel, Udaipur. With his many years in the field of restoration and constant interactions with renowned restorers, car enthusiasts and with highly-skilled engineers, he has honed his skills and built a formidable reputation. Restoring vintage and classic cars remains his core competence and passion.
MMHPT MAPIN
T
his book is about a Royal Rolls-Royce of Udaipur, Rajasthan. Seldom has a car lived such a life.
Classic Dr Drive ive frfrom om De omD Derb erby rby to Uda Udaipur ipur to Pebble Peb ble Bea Beach ch and...Contin and...Continues ntinues
The 1924 Barker bodied Tourer Rolls-Royce 20 HP (chassis no. GLK 21) was purchased by His Highness Maharana Bhupal Singh of Udaipur in 1936. She was procured primarily to serve as a source of spare parts for another RollsRoyce 20 HP (chassis no. 42 GO) owned by the princely state of Udaipur (Mewar) which was a favourite of Maharana Bhupal Singh. Soon after RR GLK 21 arrived in the Palace Motor Garage at Udaipur, her engine was removed and fitted in RR 42 GO. Then World War II happened and RR GLK 21—the car that this book is devoted to—got entwined in history and became victim to the ravages of time. From the 1940s to the end of the last millennium, a period of almost 60 years, she lay almost forgotten in the Zenana Mahal in the City Palace, Udaipur. It was only in 1999 that Shriji Arvind Singh of Mewar decided to have her restored. After a restoration process that took around eight years, RR GLK 21 was finally resurrected and assumed pride of place in the Udaipur Palace Motor Garage. It was as if RR GLK 21, the Rolls-Royce 20 HP that had been bought purely as a Christmas tree to source spares was now making a miraculous comeback by ‘rising from the ashes like a phoenix’. The irony is that now it is RR GLK 21 that is getting all the attention and acclaim. She has been the star at several prestigious events and has received extensive coverage in both the print and electronic media. As these words are being penned, the magnificent lady is returning home over the high seas, proud and triumphant in her glorious achievement of being the only winner from India at Pebble Beach. What a life, what a story !
With 261 photographs Front cover: Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur on the ‘ramp’ in his 1924 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Tourer GLK 21, receiving ‘The Lucius Beebe Trophy’ from Mr. Giles Taylor, Design Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Shriji is accompanied by Ms. Padmaja Kumari Mewar of Udaipur, Dr. Kush Singh Parmar of Santrampur and Mr. Graham Ashley-Carter at the 62nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California, USA on 19th August 2012. Photo Credit: Brad Zemcik Back cover: Automobile enthusiasts admiring the Rolls-Royce line up in the Class E-2 Maharaja Rolls –Royce category at the 62nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California, USA at the Show field on 19th August 2012. GLK -21 in powder blue, created history by being the first ever Indian entry privileged to drive up the winners ramp to receive the prestigious Lucius Beebe trophy at Pebble Beach. Copyright ©2012 by Kimball Studios/Courtesy of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance