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2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance preview.
Author & Photographer: Ken Morrison.
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The Elegant Rides of the Maharajas Take Centre Stage.
Maharaja ought to be a synonym for glitz. After all, the maharajas of India were globally acclaimed for lifestyles that few, regardless of wealth, were ever able to emulate. Staggeringly opulent estates, magnificent clothing, jet setting travel, and legions of servants were the hallmark of the maharajas, who sometimes wielded more power than heads of state. Their grandeur was especially apparent in their automobiles, which were objects of art as much as they were luxurious transportation.
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Most cars of the maharajas were custom designed and exhibited some of the finest craftsmanship in automotive history. Many of them were made in England—with several hundred of them Rolls-Royce beauties that were shipped from England to India between the early 1920s and the mid-1950s. Daimler Motor Company of Coventry, England, which made the motorcars for several British Monarchs, also made automobiles for the maharajas. Competition among these men was legendary, and this was quite apparent in their cars, with detailing so meticulous that each one requires a guided tour for full appreciation. One magnificent car was delivered to India, only to be trumped by the next new arrival, a trend that continued for several decades.
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This year, many of the maharaja cars will be gathered together for the first time in history at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. As the sun rises over Monterey Bay for the 62nd Concours, many of these classic beauties will be on the 18th fairway. Automotive lovers from across the globe will queue up to see these cars driven in one by one through the early morning mist and parked against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The 1926 Daimler Salon Cabriolet, weighing in at a whopping six tons, was made to order for Gulab Singh the Maharajah of Rewa, and will be among the rare assemblage as one of the most outstanding examples of the impeccable maharaja style.
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For some time, Daimler was the top automobile choice of British royalty and this car demonstrates why. The body was built by Barker and Co., coachbuilder of choice for high-visibility cars, using German silver over a wooden frame. There are many cutting edge features on this car, including two sets of windows—one with smoked glass for the privacy of the car’s occupants. There are gauges to measure everything from air temperature to the gradient of the car as it travelled, along with a Radamax spark-plug tester. There are exterior rattan seats located near the rear wheels to accommodate the cadre of ever-present servants. Enhancing the Indian theme, the car horns are two impressive chrome boa constrictors, set astride the elegantly swooping fenders with their mouths agape, appearing ready to strike any uninvited guests. Rumor has it that this masterpiece was found in the jungle of India in 1970 and had to be rescued with the aid of several elephants, who carried it back to safety.
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This car has been masterfully restored and is now part of the Blackhawk Collection in Danville, California. It will undoubtedly be one of the major stars among the abundant highlights of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, to be held this year on August 19.
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[A book featuring many of the finest Maharaja cars was reviewed on this site last year, read about it here.]
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