India’s grandest classic car rally, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR), is back. One of the most prestigious of its kind in the world, and number one in Asia, the rally will celebrate its tenth year in Mumbai on December 2 and 3. First organised by Autocar India in 2014, the stellar event will follow a two-day format like the previous edition. The MBCCR, which has galvanised interest in classic Mercedes-Benz cars as well as generated curiosity about classic cars in general, has garnered much praise from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
As always, the MBCCR will feature big draws from all across India driving around iconic landmarks of Mumbai. Among the star-studded lineup are classics like the legendary 300SL roadster – the only one of its kind in the country – alongside every generation of the SL (including facelift variants). Expect to see a host of debutants across the board such as the ultra-luxurious Grand Mercedes-Benz 600 ‘Grosser’. The iconic R129 SL, credited with kickstarting the Goa road trip culture with its appearance in 2001’s Dil Chahta Hai, is also expected to be among the vehicles on show.
"The 10th-anniversary rally will have 75 cars spread across 72 different models, all from Mercedes-Benz, on display and nearly 50 percent of the cars at the show will be making their debuts or appearing after a major restoration process," said Perseus Bandrawalla, who has curated the MBCCR since its inception. “This year is a landmark year for us, so we have about 25 ‘star’ cars, icons that defined an age for automobiles. I also see it as a year of debuts. This is a reflection of the tremendous impact MBCCR has had, and the role it has played in reviving the romance of Mercedes-Benz classics."
Classic generations of the C, E and S-Class cabriolets, coupes, limousines and more are also slated to make an appearance alongside legends such as the Pagoda California Coupe and the SLC Coupe from the R107 range. Classic car enthusiasts will also be reintroduced to such rare delights as Adenauers in multiple variants, the 170V in every body style, the 500K, and the Nurburg W08, alongside some very special SLs, including the 300SL Roadster. Other highlights include rare variants of the W124 Ambulance and F124 Krakenwagen (ambulance) body styles, and a Binz Wagon based on the Ponton.
The two-day event will feature a gala dinner and a tribute performance by one of India’s best music bands on the night of December 2, followed by the rally the next morning. Expect the guest list for this year's event to include maharajas, industralists, and other bigwigs.
MBCCR 2023 eligibility criteria
All Mercedes-Benz passenger cars produced up to 2002 are eligible to participate in this year's event. In addition, the following models produced until the end of their life-cycle are eligible to participate as well:
- R230 SL-Class (upto 2006 pre-facelift models only)
- R170 SLK-Class (all years)
- A208 & C208 CLK-Class (all years)
- W220 S-Class (all years)
- W210 E-Class (all years)
- W203 C-Class (all years)
- W463 G-Class (upto 2002)
- W163 ML Class (up to 2002)
- R197/C197 SLS AMG (all years)
- W240/V240 Maybach 57 and Maybach 62 (all years)
If you have or know of a Mercedes-Benz classic that is eligible to participate, or have any other queries, please write to us at mbccr@haymarketsac.com. Entries are filling fast, so enter as soon as possible since we have a limited number of slots this year. Stay tuned for more updates.
Also see:
Mercedes Benz Classic Car Rally 2022 image gallery
Mercedes Benz Classic Car Rally 2022 video
Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally presents a sparkling array of automotive gems