Those Hot-Wheels of Gondal

Classic car lovers are often spotted in Gondal City State, in Saurashtra Gujrat. World famous for its Collection, Gondal is ruled by a family of Car enthusiasts whose royal passion resulted in a fine collection of automobiles, which are a part of a Museum in the Palace premises now. You reach Gondal by Driving south of Rajkot, which still looks like a place of yesteryears. I was told, such was the Royal passion, that Gondal had the best planned and well designed road system in pre-Independent Gujrat (imagine!?) The Royal Garage which has an extensive collection of vintage Automobiles and Classic Cars is in the Orchard palace. This Orchard Palace which is also known as 'The Huzoor Palace' is surrounded by huge gardens and fruit orchards. Also the current residence of the Royal family, even though a wing of this Palace has been converted into a seven-room Heritage Hotel decorated with 1930-40s art deco-furniture, antiques and handicrafts.

It is more than a treasure trove of Vintage automotives, which gives an aural-visual and educative experience that every vehicle enthusiast and historian would want to have. The collection replicates the bygone era, complete with the classic favourites. From Bentleys, Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces to the Chevrolet Camaro, the collection showcases a diverse collection of Glistening steel Beauties that could make even the most hard-nosed cynic quiver with excitement. I remember my brother going crazy over these Hot-wheels(as I am call them) like old Daimlers, Cadillac and Studebakers. The guide informed us that the Gondal family still takes interest in new models of cars and car racing.

The ideas of this collection also appear to raise awareness about the old-style vehicles. The collection also includes a pre-1910 New Engine that belonged to Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji which is a real beauty with its superbly crafted gas-operated lamp, curved glass windscreen and woodwork interiors of the coach.
and just by the way, famous movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, R.. Rajkumar and recent Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was shot in Gondal palaces ;)

All you Vintage Car lover and History enthusiast  like me, go check out Gondal.  Also, there is more to Gondal than just the Vintage car Museum so do not give this small town of Royality a miss.