The 12th edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR) — one of India’s most prestigious heritage automotive events — is set to take place on November 15 and 16, 2025, promising an unforgettable showcase of timeless luxury, engineering excellence, and motoring history.
This year’s rally, organized in partnership with Mercedes-Benz India, will feature a record-breaking 100 cars, all set to gather on the scenic lawns of the Taj Lands End, Bandra, Mumbai. For the first time, the static display will be open to the public on Saturday, November 15, while the rally itself flags off at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, tracing a coastal route through the city and turning around at Marine Drive after the newly opened coastal road tunnel.
A Celebration of Heritage and Innovation
Each year, MBCCR celebrates the brand’s illustrious legacy, bringing together classic Mercedes models owned by royal families, private collectors, and enthusiasts from across India. The 2025 edition focuses on key themes — from the evolution of the legendary SL roadsters to the pioneering engineering innovations that shaped modern luxury cars.
This year’s line-up includes everything from pre-war models to modern classics, along with ultra-rare limousines, track-bred icons, and rally tributes that embody Mercedes-Benz’s rich motorsport and design heritage.
The SL Lineage: A Gallery of Icons
Among the 20 or so Mercedes SLs on display, the standout is undoubtedly the sky-blue 190 SL once owned by Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. Its flowing lines, maroon leather interior, and royal provenance make it one of the most photographed cars in India’s collector circuit. Today, it belongs to renowned collector Yohan Poonawalla, whose wife Michelle will drive it in period-correct attire during the parade.
Sharing the spotlight is the SLS AMG Gullwing, another jewel from Poonawalla’s garage, recently restored to factory specification. With its iconic upward-opening doors and muscular stance, the SLS marks Mercedes’ return to supercar form in the 21st century.
Fans of V8 roadsters can also look forward to seeing multiple R129 500SLs, including pristine examples that highlight Bruno Sacco’s timeless design language — clean, wedge-shaped, and beautifully proportioned.
Further up the timeline, Gautam Singhania’s R107 500SL and 560SL models from the 1980s will make their MBCCR debut, alongside Pagoda-top W113s and the R230, the first SL officially sold in India. Together, these cars offer a complete visual story of the SL’s evolution from the 1950s to the modern era.
Engineering Marvels: From 300Sc to the Mighty 600 Grosser
The Mercedes-Benz 300Sc (W188) is one of this year’s technological highlights — the first four-seater car in the world to feature fuel injection. This particular example carries an illustrious past, having belonged to the ruler of Sikkim, later acquired by Pranlal Bhogilal, and recently restored by his daughter Chamundeshwari and son-in-law Brijesh Chenai.
Equally awe-inspiring is the 600 Grosser, often described as the most lavishly engineered Mercedes ever built. Handcrafted for heads of state and business magnates, the 600 features hydro-pneumatic suspension, air-assisted controls, and unrivalled cabin opulence. This is automotive excess at its most elegant.
Stretched Luxury: The W126 “1000 SEL” Limos
Adding drama to the luxury line-up are two stretched W126 S-Class limousines, known as the 1000 SEL — custom-modified by aftermarket specialists in the 1980s. One belonged to Vijay Mallya, while the other was once owned by spiritual leader Osho. These cars embody the era of personalized luxury, featuring bespoke interiors, entertainment systems, and extended wheelbases that redefine backseat comfort.
Tributes to Mercedes Racing Legends
The Tribute Class returns this year with two standout replicas. The first pays homage to the iconic “Red Pig” W108 S-Class, Mercedes’ first AMG race car, powered by a 6.9-litre M100 V8 from the 600 Grosser. Despite its size, the Red Pig stunned the motorsport world by finishing second overall at the 1971 Spa 24 Hours.
Also in the spotlight is Pratapsinh Gaekwad’s W123 280 CE Coupe, reimagined by tuner Carlsson to honour Mercedes’ surprising victory at the 1980 Monte Carlo Rally, where a similar W123 claimed first-in-class honours — a feat few would have expected from a large luxury coupe on narrow rally stages.
Utility Icons and Forgotten Legends
The W461 G-Wagen will appeal to off-road purists, featuring its military-spec build, three locking differentials, and Paris-Dakar Rally-winning pedigree from 1983. In contrast, the W140 S-Class represents Mercedes’ engineering peak of the 1990s — a fortress on wheels that introduced CanBus electrical systems and remains one of the most overbuilt sedans in history.
The 1929 Nurburg 460 is another gem not to be missed. Developed under the guidance of Ferdinand Porsche, it was the brand’s first series-produced eight-cylinder car and famously covered 20,000 km on the Nürburgring in just 13 days during endurance testing.
Other highlights include the Mercedes 230, one of the last pre-war luxury cars, and the W124 V8, a modern classic revered for its robust engineering and timeless appeal — this particular car being the only V8 W124 in India.
A Living Museum on Wheels
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally isn’t just a celebration of rare cars; it’s a celebration of people, passion, and history. With over a hundred vehicles on display — many restored to concours standards — MBCCR 2025 promises to be India’s ultimate automotive heritage experience.
Attendees are encouraged to capture their favourite moments and share them with #MBCCR2025 on social media. The best posts stand a chance to win exclusive Mercedes-Benz merchandise and experiences.