The 12th edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR) concluded with resounding success at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai, cementing its reputation as India’s most prestigious celebration of automotive heritage. With over 100 classic Mercedes-Benz models on display, including 89 first-time participants, this year’s edition broke multiple records — from attendance to vehicle diversity — reflecting India’s deepening passion for vintage and modern classic automobiles.
India’s Largest Gathering of Mercedes-Benz Classics
What began in 2014 as a one-off tribute to 120 years of Mercedes-Benz motorsport has now evolved into a cultural and automotive phenomenon. The 2025 MBCCR celebrated the enduring legacy of the three-pointed star while showcasing how the brand continues to inspire generations of enthusiasts across India.
The rally was flagged off by Ashish Shelar, Minister of IT and Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra, along with Dr. Hugo Weihe, former Director of Asian Art at Christie’s. The event drew an impressive mix of collectors, historians, families, and young enthusiasts, underlining how MBCCR has transformed from an elite car meet into a cultural festival of engineering and elegance.
A Celebration of Legacy and Living Heritage
Perseus Bandrawalla, Curator of MBCCR, highlighted the rally’s evolving relevance:
“MBCCR has inspired a new generation of collectors who are passionate about ‘youngtimer’ Mercedes-Benz cars — modern classics that connect eras. The rally doesn’t just celebrate history; it fuels the modern classic movement in India.”
Echoing this sentiment, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, stated:
“The Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally has become a hallmark event that brings together a passionate community. The dedication seen in restoring and preserving these cars reflects the deep emotional connection people in India share with the brand.”
Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor of Autocar India, added:
“This year’s MBCCR truly raised the bar. The diversity and quality of cars displayed — many showcased publicly for the first time — reflect the incredible depth of India’s collector community. It’s more than a rally; it’s a preservation of automotive culture.”
Rare Icons Steal the Show
The 2025 edition gathered an unprecedented lineup of rare and historically significant Mercedes-Benz models, offering spectators a glimpse of the brand’s evolution from post-war engineering marvels to modern performance icons.
Notable Highlights Included:
- Mercedes-Benz 190 SL – One car originally gifted to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and another formerly owned by Maharani Gayatri Devi. Both have been meticulously restored, representing the epitome of elegance and cultural heritage.
- Mercedes 1000 SEL – Custom-built stretched W126 sedans from the 1980s, previously owned by Vijay Mallya and Osho, showcasing the era’s bespoke luxury.
- Mercedes-Benz W108 AMG “Red Pig” Tributes – Faithful recreations of the AMG race car that stunned motorsport fans at Spa-Francorchamps in 1971.
- Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser – The legendary state limousine, renowned for its complex hydraulic systems and unmatched craftsmanship.
- Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Roadster – A prized exhibit from the Pranlal Bhogilal collection, one of the earliest four-seaters with fuel injection.
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – A contemporary classic with gullwing doors, fully restored to its original factory specification.
Also featured were Pagoda SLs, R107s, R129 500SLs, and W126 S-Class limousines, blending royal heritage, performance pedigree, and design brilliance in one unforgettable lineup.
Classic Mercedes Values Surge Among Collectors
Beyond nostalgia, the rally reflected a clear trend — the rapid appreciation of classic Mercedes-Benz models in India’s collector market. Values for icons like the 190 SL, 300Sc, and 600 Grosser have tripled to quadrupled in the past five years, with rising demand for 1980s and 1990s “youngtimer” models such as the W124, R129, and W140.
This surge is driven by a younger generation of collectors who value mechanical authenticity, understated luxury, and long-term investment potential. As a result, the MBCCR has become both a cultural celebration and a barometer of India’s expanding vintage car economy.
More Than a Rally: A Living Museum on Wheels
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2025 wasn’t merely an exhibition — it was a moving museum that celebrated history, innovation, and passion. From pre-war models to modern classics, every car represented a story of restoration, craftsmanship, and enduring design.
As sunlight reflected off the chrome and curves of century-old legends alongside contemporary icons, one sentiment resonated through the crowd:
The spirit of Mercedes-Benz is not being preserved — it’s being reborn.
With every new edition, MBCCR continues to nurture India’s automotive culture, inspiring collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts to keep the legacy of the three-pointed star alive for generations to come.
check out:Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2025: Rare Icons, Record Turnout, and Rising Collector Passion
