Yohan Poonawalla, known for his passion for automotive excellence and his collection of premium, exotic, and classic cars, was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Hero of the Rally’ title at the Mille Miglia UAE rally, representing India.
Talking about the event, Yohan Poonawalla said, “I am honored to receive the ‘Hero of the Rally’ award at one of the most prestigious events like Mille Miglia UAE rally. This recognition is a testament to my passion for preserving automotive heritage and celebrating the timeless beauty of these classic cars.
The Mille Miglia UAE Rally
Yohan Poonawalla adds further, “Returning to the event for the third consecutive year to race my special 1974 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series III, which is powered by a 5.3-litre V12, wearing a ravishing red with a black top, was something I was looking forward to. Following its recent nut & bolt restoration, this was the first major race for the “big cat” under my ownership, which was rare to do what it was exactly built to do. I was eager to put it through its paces on the stunning UAE roads, in particular, the climb and descent of the awe-inspiring Jebal Jais mountainscape, the country’s highest peak”.
This recognition showcases Poonawalla’s passion for classic cars but also his important role in preserving automotive heritage.
The Yohan Poonawalla Collection in India
The Yohan Poonawalla Collection features some of the most historically significant motor cars, including his iconic 1964 Lincoln Continental ‘Popemobile’, driven by India’s first Formula One driver, Narain Karthikeyan which also took part in the event.
Pope’s Visit to India in 1964
In 1964, during Pope Paul VI’s visit to India for the International Eucharistic Congress, a new Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible was imported for the Pope. The open-top car with a long-wheelbase seemed to be perfect for the tour, as thousands of devotees lined the streets to see the leader of the Catholic Church. Photos and video footage from the visit show the Pope traveling in the car, which was decorated with flagpoles on both sides, as it smoothly passed huge crowds, escorted by a team of police on motorcycles.
Before his departure, the Pope gifted the Lincoln to Mother Teresa, the Albanian-born missionary, a Nobel laureate based in Calcutta who is known for her lifelong service to the poor and sick. True to her generous nature, Mother Teresa auctioned the car and donated the proceeds to a welfare trust. Today, the historic car has been returned to its original white color, with its original interior preserved. It remains in excellent mechanical condition and concours-ready. Designed by Elwood Engel, this luxurious Lincoln was powered by a 7l V8 engine and was Ford’s answer to General Motors’ Cadillac. With its rich history and noble background, the car stands as a symbol of the first papal visit to India.
His rare lineup of vintage automobiles includes most iconic pieces, such as the 1933 Phantom II owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell, a 1937 Phantom III of Maharaja Panchkote, a 1962 Phantom V of the Emir of Qatar, a 1979 Phantom VI used by HM Queen Elizabeth II, a 1951 Series 1 Defender from the Royal Family of the Princely State of Kutch, and a 2005 Goodwood Phantom VII, which was the first car delivered in India following Rolls-Royce’s 50-year hiatus from the country to name a few.
Poonawalla’s passion for classic cars has gained him international recognition, including the ‘Classic Car Ambassador of the Year Award 2023’ from the Historic Motoring Awards UK and being named as the first and only Indian in the ‘Top 100 Classic Collectors of the World’. He was also honored as ‘Collector of the Year 2023’ at the Geneva International Motor Show in Qatar.
