Yohan Poonawalla, who represents India, was recently given the coveted ‘Hero of the event’ title at the Mille Miglia UAE event. He is renowned for his love of high-end, exotic, and vintage automobiles as well as his impressive collection of them.
“I am honored to receive the ‘Hero of the Rally’ award at one of the most prestigious events like Mille Miglia UAE rally,” Yohan Poonawalla said in a statement on the event. This honor demonstrates my dedication to conserving automotive history and honoring the timeless elegance of these vintage vehicles.
“I was looking forward to returning to the event for the third year in a row to race my rare 1974 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series III, which is powered by a 5.3-liter V12, dressed in a stunning scarlet with a black top. This was the first significant race for the “big cat” that I owned after it had just been completely restored, and it was eager to accomplish what it was designed to do. Yohan Poonawalla said, “I was excited to test it out on the breathtaking roads of the United Arab Emirates, especially the ascent and descent of the breathtaking Jebal Jais mountainscape, the nation’s highest point.
This honor not only acknowledges Poonawalla’s passion for vintage vehicles but also his significant contributions to the preservation of automotive history.
Among the most historically significant automobiles in India is the Yohan Poonawalla Collection, which includes his famous 1964 Lincoln Continental “Popemobile,” which was piloted by Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver and a participant in the race. When Pope Paul VI traveled to India in 1964 to attend the International Eucharistic Congress, the pontiff was given a brand-new Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible. As thousands of followers and others seeking blessings flocked to the Indian streets to meet the head of the Catholic Church, the open-touring, long-wheelbase vehicle was considered perfect for the papal tour. The high priest is seen traveling in it, adorned with flagmasts on either side, as it glides past large crowds in both video and photos from the visit.
The Pope then gave the Lincoln to Mother Teresa, the Nobel laureate from Calcutta, before he left. This missionary, who was born in Albania, was well-known for his lifetime of helping the poor, especially those who were homeless or suffering from illness. Mother Teresa, ever the philanthropist, put the car up for sale and gave the money raised to a charity fund. The antique vehicle’s original white livery and original interior have been restored today. It is still in concours condition and is in excellent mechanical condition. Elwood Engel created the opulent Lincoln, which had a 7-liter V8 engine. It was Ford Motor Company’s response to the Cadillac made by General Motors. This vehicle has a rich history, a distinguished lineage, and a noble origin.
What makes Yohan Poonawalla unique is his collection of rare antique cars. His most famous creations include a 1933 Phantom II that belonged to Sir Malcolm Campbell, a 1937 Phantom III that belonged to Maharaja Panchkote, a 1962 Phantom V that belonged to the Emir of Qatar, a 1979 Phantom VI that was used by HM Queen Elizabeth II, a 1951 Series 1 Defender that belonged to the Princely State of Kutch’s Royal Family, and a 2005 Goodwood Phantom VII that was the first automobile manufactured in India after Rolls-Royce had been absent from the country for 50 years.
Poonawalla’s love of vintage automobiles has brought him international renown, as evidenced by his inclusion as the first and only Indian in the “Top 100 Classic Collectors of the World” and his receipt of the Historic Motoring Awards UK’s “Classic Car Ambassador of the Year Award 2023.” At the Geneva International Motor Show in Qatar, he was also recognized as the “Collector of the Year 2023.”
