Treasures in Vintage Car Museum of Udaipur

Thanks to the taste and interest of Kings of Mewar dynasty in automobiles we get to see several vintage beauties at the Vintage Car Museum of Udaipur.

History of Vintage Car Museum in Udaipur

At the turn of 21st century Rana Shri Arvind Singh ji of Mewar threw open the Vintage Car Museum Udaipur showcasing an amazing collection of automobiles of past. It was inaugurated by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu on 15th Feb 2000.

List of cars on display are: 4 antique Rolls Royce cars, Cadillacs, rare models of Mercedes and more vehicles all dating back to early 1900s. This location was the garage of Mewar State Motors in its previous avatar.

Rolls Royce Jeep on display

Rolls Royce Jeep on display in Car Museum Udaipur

Rolls Royce specs

Rolls Royce specs

The automobiles are a statement that highlights the grandiose and exquisite lifestyle of the royal families of Rajput dynasty. These cars were purchased for their personal use then but not used any more. All the cars are maintained in perfect working conditions and let out on rent for big occasions like marriages.

Raveena Tandon, a film artiste of Bollywood, had hired Ford 1930 Phaeton for her marriage with Anil Thadani at Shiv Niwas Palace. The car was driven only inside the palace premises during the ceremony.

Interested in Car Museums, do check out: Sharjah Vintage Classic Car Museum

Rolls Royce, old or new, they are so hot!

Rolls Royce was a British luxury car which was established in 1904 in Manchester, UK. It later expanded to an aero-engine manufacturing business. The partnership was between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, hence the name.

It is not everyday that one gets to see a Rolls Royce! So, when I saw Rolls Royce jeeps at the Vintage Car collection displayed in Udaipur museum, I photographed it to my heart’s content.

The Rolls Royce on display there was a 1930/31 model, manufactured in UK, with stunning looks. This car made a memorable appearance in the James Bond movie, Octopussy, filmed in the city Udaipur in 1983.

vintage car museum Udaipur

Spirit of Ecstasy – Rolls Royce hood ornament

Rolls Royce Hood Ornament

It was the hood ornament, the iconic mascot, ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ that held the focus of my lens. The Spirit of Ecstasy is one of the most attractive motor car mascots in the world. I saw several more in Udaipur Car Museum and also in Sharjah Car Museum, but none can match the grace of this hood ornament.

This world famous mascot is the model of a very beautiful and intelligent lady, Eleanor Velaseko Thornton of the early part of 20th century.

Interesting story, I read later, of her unsuccessful love affair with JohnWalter Edward-Scott-Montagu due to status difference between the two.

It is now more popularly known as the ‘Silver Lady’ or the ‘Flying Lady’. The ‘Lady’ was just around six inches tall, or may be a little bigger and had a bright silvery finish. I felt like touching it but then controlled my urge!

Timings: Vintage Car Museum Udaipur opens at 9 AM and closes at 9 PM.

Tickets: 250INR for adults and 150 INR for children.

Nearby Tourist attractions: Saheliyon ki Bari, Udaipur City Palace, Lake Pichola are some of the popular tourist destinations near the museum.

How to reach Cars Museum Udaipur

Vintage and Classic Car Museum is easily reachable from Udaipur bus depot. You can hire private cars, autorickshaws and take state transport buses which will drop you off at the museum. It is located on Lake Palace Road, very near to Gulab Bagh Zoo. Add this site to your One Day Itinerary of Udaipur City.

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vintage car museum Udaipur India

(Updated post. This was first published on Mar 5, 2009.)

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