[Aditya]

The 2023 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally was held in Mumbai today. This was the tenth edition of the iconic rally. The cars lined up at Taj Lands End in Bandra, Mumbai. They then drove to the south end of Worli Sea Face and back via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge.



More than 75 Mercedes-Benz cars spread across 72 different models were on display with nearly 50% of the cars making their debuts or participating after a comprehensive restoration process.







A huge number of people who came to see the beauties. The pandemic is well and truly behind us!

Among the debutants and the star of this year's show was the ultra-luxurious Mercedes-Benz 600 ‘Grosser’.



This car went on sale in 1963, which means 2023 marks its 60th Anniversary.









Among the other cars that immediately caught my eye was this 300 SC. It had participated in the 2014 edition of the Rally and had returned this year after a fresh restoration.









This stunning 220SE Cabriolet was another attention magnet.







Some of the Rally regulars included the Nurburg...



...and the 500K:

[Aditya]

Among the other stunners were this 300SL Roadster which is claimed to be the only one of its kind in the country.







These 190SLs are not far behind when it comes to sheer appeal:









SLs of every generation were present:








































A few SLS AMGs also made an appearance:

[Aditya]

Let's have a look at some other cars that showed up.

300 Saloon (W186):









300 Cabriolet (W186):





300 Adenauer (W189):







The 170 Range:











Pontons and Fintails:

[Aditya]

The Super Car Club Garage was there as well.

[Aditya]

Other saloons, estates, coupes and cabriolets. We have seen most of these cars in previous editions of the Rally.

[Aditya]

Some other eye-catchers included this W124 Estate with a surfboard on the roof...





...this W124 modified as an Ambulance...




... and a couple of G-Wagens.





The future may be electric, but till then, let's enjoy ICE machines. Mercedes took the opportunity to display the new SL 55 AMG at the Rally.

[Aditya]

The cars were flagged off at ~10.30 am:













































The SLS AMGs with their low ground clearance struggled to clear the exit ramp:

[Aditya]

The stretch limousines with their long wheelbases needed spotting while negotiating the exit ramp:




This 1000 SEL died on the ramp...


...and had to be pushed out of the way:

[Aditya]

Some pictures of the parade:

[Aditya]

The Mercedes Classic Car Rally is always a great opportunity to catch up with old buddies and meet some new enthusiasts. Great to hear their stories and ambitions. Looking forward to next year's event.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[shankar.balan]

Absolutely gorgeous. The forever appeal of the Three Pointed Star is nowhere more evident than at Rallies like this. Lucky people who got to witness this in person. I am happy to see the pictures and drool.

[ajmat]

Lovely thread. I felt the the Supercar club versions were crass

The Black SEC belonged to Vijay Mallya. It used to be stock for the first 5 years then got blinged up. those wheels make it look ugh

The black 1000SEL stretch limo was also Vijay Mallya's, it was originally gold in colour. It was bought for his first marriage. It used to be a regular at most 5 star hotels especially Windsor Manor

[akash_v12]

Lovely to see all the beauties along with a few of their modern counterparts on the road. I am uploading whatever I could edit till now. Will keep uploading them as the edits keep going.

Most of these pictures have been compressed, if anyone would like to see the actual pictures in their full glory, please PM me.

[JunkyardHunter]

I was there! I was in the 190E and was friends with the owners of the F124.

A little history on the F124 (the ambulance)

It was in service as an ambulance at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

During lockdown, my uncle (@JayD) bought it and gave it to his friends

They converted it into a camper van with an outdoor tent.

On the way to MBCCR, the spark plugs blew and it had to be towed by a W123.

Overall, the MBCCR was good fun and there were a lot of fabulous cars there.