A 99-year-old Hispano-Suiza vintage car from Ahmedabad has brought international recognition to India by winning the ‘Best of Show’ award at the inaugural Concours d’Elegance International held at the Musée National de l’Automobile Collection Schlumpf in France.
The award-winning vehicle, a 1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C, is part of the renowned collection at Dastan Autoworld Museum in Ahmedabad and belongs to the Pranal Bhogilal Collection. Nearly a century after it was originally commissioned, the royal automobile has once again captured global attention for its remarkable history, restoration and preservation.
A Royal Car With a Rich History
The vintage Hispano-Suiza has an extraordinary past. The car was originally commissioned almost 100 years ago by the Maharaja of Alwar.
Built in 1927, the luxury automobile was specially made for Maharaja Jai Singh Prabhakar of Alwar. Today, it stands as one of the finest surviving examples of early luxury motoring.
The car’s remarkable journey—from serving Indian royalty to winning one of the highest honours at an international vintage car exhibition—highlights the importance of preserving India’s automotive heritage.
Highest Honour at an International Event
The 1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C received the prestigious ‘Best of Show’ title at the inaugural Concours d’Elegance International in France.
The event was hosted at the Musée National de l’Automobile Collection Schlumpf, one of the world’s most respected automobile museums, where historic cars from different countries were displayed.
Winning the top award placed the Ahmedabad-based vehicle among the finest restored and historically significant vintage automobiles showcased at the exhibition.
First Historic Vehicles From Asia at the French Museum
The Hispano-Suiza was one of two historic vehicles from the Pranal Bhogilal Collection invited to participate in the exhibition held between June 27 and 28 in Mulhouse, France. The second vehicle was a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K.
These two automobiles became the first historic vehicles from Asia to be displayed at the French museum as part of a two-month exhibition, marking a significant milestone for Indian automotive history.
The museum selected both cars because of their exceptional provenance, historical importance and outstanding restoration work.
Restored in Just 100 Days
The award-winning Hispano-Suiza underwent an impressive restoration before travelling to France.
The extended-wheelbase vintage car—one of only two examples built for Maharaja Jai Singh Prabhakar of Alwar—was restored in just 100 days.
The restoration fulfilled a promise made by Brijesh Chinai, custodian of the Pranal Bhogilal Collection, to the French chapter of the Hispano-Suiza Club.
The successful restoration ensured the vehicle returned to its original grandeur while preserving its historical authenticity.
Mercedes-Benz Also Earned Recognition
The second car from the Ahmedabad collection, the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K, also attracted international appreciation.
Before reaching France, the vehicle was sent to Europe for mechanical work and later showcased at Rétromobile in Paris, one of the world’s leading classic car exhibitions.
Its quality and historical significance earned it an FIVA ID Card, an internationally recognised certification for historic vehicles.
Partnership to Preserve Automotive Heritage
During the event, representatives from the Ahmedabad museum met Bruno Fuchs, Board President of the French museum and Chairman of the French National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation through:
Vehicle exchange programmes.
Joint exhibitions.
Collaborative efforts to preserve historic automobiles.
Strengthening Indo-French automotive heritage ties.
The proposed collaboration is expected to encourage greater cultural exchange between India and France through the preservation and exhibition of historic vehicles.
A Proud Moment for India’s Motoring Heritage
Speaking about the achievement, Brijesh Chinai said the growing partnership reflects increasing international recognition of India’s rich automotive heritage.
He added that such collaborations represent an important step towards strengthening the long-standing cultural relationship between India and France through the preservation, study and celebration of historic automobiles.
The success of the 1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C is not only a proud moment for Ahmedabad but also for India, showcasing the country’s remarkable legacy in preserving rare and historic automobiles on the global stage.
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