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The Valletta Concours is one of Europe’s top-tier classic car events, known for its picturesque baroque setting and a highly selective judging panel.
It even once chauffeured the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales during their visits to India.
Indian billionaire and classic car collector Yohan Poonawalla has added another prestigious award to his collection.
His 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe, known as ‘Mysore’, has been crowned ‘Overall Best in Show’ at the 2025 Valletta Concours held at the iconic St George’s Square in Valletta, Malta.
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith ‘Mysore’: All You Need To Know
The star of the show, ‘Mysore’, is no ordinary car.
- It’s a 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drop Head Coupe
- Custom-built by James Young/Gurney Nutting
- Originally made for His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore
Painted in a rich carnation red, the car boasts red and grey leather interiors and still carries all its original royal elements – from fine silverware and luxury luggage to solid silver Coat of Arms and illuminated royal plaques.
It even once chauffeured the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales during their visits to India – making it a true motoring legend.
A Win for India on the Global Stage
Valletta Concours is considered one of Europe’s top events for classic car enthusiasts, attracting elite collectors from around the world. To win the top prize here means standing out among the very best – and ‘Mysore’ did just that.
Poonawalla shared his joy, saying,”This win not only celebrates the car’s magnificent history and craftsmanship but also shines a spotlight on India’s rich motoring legacy.”
A String of Prestigious Titles
This latest victory follows several global honours for Poonawalla, including:
- Winner at Icons Mallorca with the 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I 17EX prototype.
- ‘Hero of the Rally’ at Mille Miglia UAE 2024.
- ‘Trofeo BMW Group Classic’ for sensitive restoration – again awarded to ‘Mysore’.
He is also:
- The first Indian to be featured in the Top 100 Classic Car Collectors of the World.
- Named Classic Car Ambassador of the Year by Historic Motoring Awards, London.
- Honoured with the Vintage and Classic Car Vanguard of India Legacy Excellence Award.
Yohan Poonawalla continues to champion the preservation of historic automobiles. His efforts are not only winning awards but also helping India gain recognition in the global classic car community. His dedication to restoring and showcasing vintage vehicles has truly made him the ‘Motoring Ambassador of India’.
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c…Read More
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c… Read More
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