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 in Car Museum Udaipur
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.
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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(Updated post. This was first published on Mar 5, 2009.)
Such a wonderful classic!
A Rolls Royce for us remains an unattainable car. Beautiful realization of the challenge.
Regards from us.
Nice picture
Cool Rolls really make heart beat faster. I once saw this huge collection in one of the Palaces in Rajasthan 🙂
Now that's what i call a gentleman's car…
It is old ancient car!!!!but precious one
Vintage stuff always looks royal…The new and sleek models look fascinating too but the Vintage stuff has a different charm altogether…
awesome click..
lucky u to capture a great car
Thanks for those pictures. The car looks really royal.
I have seen twice – in vintage car rally and another time on road – the second time, she looked like a grand queen indeed.
Amazing Vintage Rolls Royce..This Cars really grab attentions.. 😀
Ummm! What I feel is that it is simply so sexy. 🙂 😉
Nice shots mam,
I personally love Rolls Royce PHANTOM.
And true to ROLLS ROYCE its tag line is trusted to deliver excellence !!
Loved this winged angle statue ..
Vintage isnt it 🙂 I saw a later model two days back in the city, would have almost rammed into a wall, was that awestruck looking at a RR 🙂
Ooohh the silver Lady… wow.
The models you photograph, sure look stunning..!!
Rolls Royce is the CAR.
Good presentation about Rolls with nice shots.
What a truly sexy car!
Hi !
You lost Amber, don’t lose the last of the beautiful Forts in Jaipur; Nahargarh is at Blogtrotter! Enjoy and have a great week!
loved classic and vintage cars..my dad has a morris 10, but unfortunately it needs to be restored a bit
Ah yes the infamous James Bond car. I remember this one. 🙂 How cool to be able to see it up close and personal like that. Definitley a memorable moment.
These are very cool cars! what an interesting story about the hood ornament. Thanks for sharing with us you great pix and the story.
nice car even though it’s so old…did you know that all non moving parts of a Rolls Royce come with a 100 year warranty???!!!???
RR has a style unlike any other and you captured it beautifully. Your blog is wonderful, I’m glad I found it. Thank you for your visit and following my blog. Be Happy, Pam
Great captures. Not everyday we can see such luxurious cars. Just know that Amitabh Bachchan owns a Rolls Royce.
she is awesome! I would have touched her for sure–even if it meant getting in a little trouble. How cooL!
I am not much into cars, but I wonder at the stories this one can tell us about its past owners …
That is so stinking cool!! How tempting to just lie across the top for a James Bond-ish photo…
Truthfully, how many shots did you take of this beauty?
wow wow and wow again… that is one nice piece of automobile….
Great photos too 🙂
ohh and btw. I would have touched it… probably shouldn’t… but I would have
She positively twinkles, doesn’t she? When I was in my early 20’s, my boss once allowed me to DRIVE his Rolls Royce (eeeeeeeeeeeeek!). It was only because he had had a liquid lunch and was far too drunk to drive it himself. I was scared stiff, but also as proud as punch! (Smile)
peacocks make a wonderful post. they r exotic animals. rolls royce just for mere mortals like me to gawk at
Despite not being a massive fan of RRs, these are some great pictures. And thanks for sharing the story of the flying lady, I hadn’t heard it before.
Wow! That’s royal, Rolls Royce. I remind that movie and this car and it was interesting link about the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’.
hum… beautiful lady too.
ah the legend!
Nothing like a Rolls Royce.
Such a stately car. Nothing quite like it any where.
What a pity its a bit out of our league!
Lovely, informative post as always.
Interesting piece of information on the lady that your camera so beautifully captured.
How hot is that car? I love it!
I would love to have just one ride in a Rolls. 🙂 Beautiful!
OH, that is what I call my “Gooshie” moments. It takes everything I have just to not touch or squeeze!
How incredibly awesome! I bet that must have been a beautiful car to see. I love the hood ornament and learned something new. Thanks for sharing!
Great car, but I was more intrigued by the story! Thanks
Such a beautiful old car.
what a beautiful car I wish that I could have been there to see such a car in person. bust your pictures do a great job.
Now that’s a CAR!!
You are right. You took photos to your heart’s content.
Shining beauty !
Awwwwww so cool to see that car, would I ever want to drive =^.^=
And what cooooooooool that “flying lady”
But that is for us not to pay 🙁
I just look at it and I will dream about it………
You’ve gotten some beautiful pictures of a very elegant car. I didn’t know the story behind the hood ornament — thanks for sharing it with us.
Now, there is Class. It has more presence that a modern version. Great.
I don’t think I’ve seen one either in “real life”. Lovely details!
luxury 7 Beauty at its best
What an awesome car!
An Arkies Musings
Hi Indrani!
Sorry I couldn’t visit you for the last two weeks! I’m trying to catch-up and see the wonders you have around!
Rolls-Royce and peacocks make a great combination; and the ones from Jaipur City Palace are stunning!!
The Chittorgarh Fort pictures are outstanding and you caught some great shots at the Air Show! Great job!!
Meanwhile, one of the most beautiful Forts in India waits you and your comments at : – The Amber Fort! Enjoy and have a great weekend!