(Photo : Sudhir Choudhrie’s vintage cars)
Indian-born businessman and philanthropist Sudhir Choudhrie owns a large private car collection. Many consider the collection, which features 37 cars spanning over 100 years of automotive history, the greatest in India.
With models from some of the world's finest car manufacturers, Choudhrie's collection offers a fascinating insight into the world's automotive history. Here's a glimpse of eight of the cars in Choudhrie's astonishing collection that shed light on the motoring heritage of Germany, Italy, and France.
Sudhir Choudhrie's lifelong passion for cars
Choudhrie's passion for automobiles began in childhood. As a boy growing up in India, he started collecting Dinky toys and Matchbox cars. He went on to attend classic car rallies during college. In later years, he supported his wife Anita as she competed in and won many auto racing events.
In 1980, Choudhrie bought his first collectable car for 50,000 rupees: a Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet D. During the 40 years since that first acquisition, he has built a substantial collection of classic cars manufactured before December 1939. His specific interest is in pre-war automobiles (cars manufactured before the First World War started in 1914).
Passionate about restoration, Choudhrie often buys cars in poor condition to return them to their former glory. A team of seven mechanics helps the car enthusiast repair and maintain the collection at his garage in Delhi. Choudhrie's wife calls his dedication to restoring the magnificent vehicles "a real labour of love."
In addition to maintaining the classic cars, Choudhrie hopes to preserve their unique stories for generations to come. For now, his collection is private. However, he plans to one day place the collection in a trust and display the vehicles in a custom-built car museum. This way, more people can enjoy the collection and appreciate the cars' historical significance.
Four German cars in Sudhir Choudhrie's collection
Germany is famed for its automotive industry, with a car manufacturing history that stretches back to the 19th century. To this day, Germany is Europe's largest automobile manufacturing country and represents one of the biggest automotive markets globally.
Pioneers like Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto were developing internal combustion engines as early as the 1870s. In the 1880s, they integrated these engines into coach-style bodies to make automobiles.
By 1901, Germany was producing nearly 1,000 automobiles annually. By the early 1910s, iconic German brands began to surface. BMW can trace its roots back to the inception of the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1916. Meanwhile, the merger between manufacturers Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie created Mercedes-Benz in 1926.
The German-made cars in Choudhrie's collection could constitute a complete collection in their own right: these are just four.
1. Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet D W142 Series (1937-42)
Designed by Hans Nibel, the Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet D is a four-door Cabriolet with four side windows. The car's striking silhouette swiftly earned it icon status. Produced from 1937-42, the model paved the way for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
When Choudhrie bought this model in 1980, it was in a terrible condition with several cats inhabiting it. However, he later discovered that the model was a custom-built car.
2. Mercedes-Benz 230 W21 Series Cabriolet D (1936/37)
Another classic Hans Nibel design, the Mercedes-Benz 230 W21 Series Cabriolet D boasts a side-valve, six-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual gearbox. This beautiful convertible model has four doors and four windows.
3. DKW F7 Deluxe convertible (1938)
The DKW F7 Deluxe convertible, a stylish four-seater, aimed to replace the classic DKW F5. Motorists could choose from several DKW F7 options. Uncommon for its time, this model featured front-wheel drive. Powered by a 690cc inline two-cylinder, two-stroke engine, DKW F7 Deluxe convertible could reach speeds of up to 53 mph.
4. Adler Trumpf Junior (1937)
Designed to be a compact family car, the Adler Trumpf Junior boasts front-wheel drive, a low body profile, and ample passenger space. Production ceased in 1941, resulting in a brief lifespan for this two-door model. Equipped with a four-cylinder, four-stroke side-valve engine, this car features a front-wheel drive system and a four-speed gearbox.
The Italian car in Sudhir Choudhrie's collection
Delving into the world's automotive history inevitably leads to Italy, a pivotal player in the global car industry. Italy's automotive sector is one of the country's main industries, employing more than 260,000 people. In 2022, the sector had a turnover of €92.7 billion (9.3% of Italy's manufacturing turnover and 5.2% of the country's gross domestic product).
Today, one brand almost entirely dominates the Italian consumer automobile industry: Fiat. Fiat models, including subsidiaries like Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Lancia, make up over 90% of the vehicles manufactured in Italy.
The Italian automotive industry began in the late 1880s, with pioneering figures like Enrico Bernardi. Giovanni Battista Ceirano co-founded Ceirano GB & C in 1888, venturing into the automotive market and developing the Welleyes motor car. This led to the creation of the first Fiat, which boasted a four-horsepower engine and a top speed of 22 mph.
Despite the upheavals of the World Wars, Fiat persisted, often absorbing smaller brands. Although Choudhrie owns just one Fiat, it's undoubtedly one of the more special cars in his collection: a Fiat 514 1930S.
Fiat 514 1930S (1929-32)
The Fiat 514 1930S, introduced in 1929 and phased out by 1932, is an enduring reminder of Italy's automotive prowess. The iconic car came in various iterations, including the:
- Two-seater, two-door "Spider."
- Four-seater, four-door "Torpedo."
- Two-door Coupe design.
- Four-seater, two-door Saloon.
- Two-seater 514 MM.
- Two-seater 514 CA.
Notably, one Fiat 514 earned the moniker "Walter Bijou." This unique model now resides in a Czech museum. Choudhrie's Fiat, a vibrant yellow variant with a sleek black top, embodies the quintessential characteristics of the Fiat 514 series. The model exudes personality with its distinctive curves and lines.
Three French cars in Sudhir Choudhrie's collection
France holds a significant place in automotive history, dating back to 1789 when Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot created the world's first self-propelled vehicle. This pioneering spirit continued, with French manufacturers leading advancements in automobile manufacturing.
Today, France ranks as the third-largest automotive industry in Europe, with a market size of €110.1 billion. Major players in the French automotive market include PSA Group and Renault Group. French-designed cars often win prestigious awards, such as the European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year.
For years, France's influence extended to Africa, where its cars dominated the market until Japanese automakers offered more economical options. Despite this, vintage French car manufacturers like Hispano-Suiza, Cottereau, and Darracq remain iconic, epitomising luxury and style.
While no longer in operation, these brands' legacies live on through their timeless vehicles. Choudhrie's collection contains several models from these brands, showcasing their exquisite craftsmanship and design: Here are just three.
1. Cottereau 7hp Voiturine (1903)
The Cottereau 7hp Voiturine is the oldest vehicle in Choudhrie's collection and is amongst the oldest automobiles in the world. The car features a single-cylinder, water-cooled engine; chain drive; and a three-speed gearbox.
Manufactured by Lois and Henri Cottereau, the Voiturine was one of the first cars imported to India. The Maharaja of Patiala originally owned the model that now resides in Choudhrie's collection.
2. Hispano-Suiza H6B (1927)
First introduced at the 1919 Paris Motor Show, the Hispano-Suiza H6B is one of Choudhrie's most prized vintage vehicles. The model's revolutionary design includes a straight six engine based on Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt's aircraft engines.
Another example of innovative technology in this model's design is the use of deceleration to power the brake servo, thereby saving fuel.
3. Darracq 12hp Type V (circa 1914)
The Darracq 12hp was a popular vehicle, with a remarkable production rate of 14 cars a day. Sporting a tourer body, the model features a four-cylinder inline side-valve engine with a four-speed gearbox.
While initially a French company, Darracq expanded its reach to the UK and Italy before the Rootes Group acquired it in 1934. Despite its evolution, the unmistakable French heritage shines through in every aspect of this car, making this 1914 model a cherished addition to Choudhrie's collection.
About Sudhir Choudhrie
Sudhir Choudhrie is an international businessman who launched his entrepreneurial career in the electronics retail sector. He founded a business selling UK television equipment in India, and his primary client was the Indian government.
Expanding his scope, Choudhrie diversified into exporting various consumer goods, including farm equipment. He also broadened his reach globally, dealing with a growing list of countries.
In 1975, Choudhrie founded the Magnum International Trading Company. Subsequently, he has launched and overseen several thriving enterprises, culminating in a net worth of over $2 billion.
Choudhrie's achievements have won him numerous accolades, such as the Asian Business Lifetime Achievement award. Former Prime Minister Theresa May presented him with the prestigious award in 2013.
In recent years, Choudhrie has shifted his focus towards collecting rare vintage cars and Indian art. To display his collections, he plans to build a car museum and an art gallery, which will sit alongside a hotel and a convention centre.
Choudhrie also spends much of his time undertaking philanthropic efforts. He has supported the Columbia University Medical Centre in New York. Choudhrie himself underwent a life-saving heart transplant at the facility in 1999. He later wrote a book about his experience called From My Heart - A Tale of Life, Love, and Destiny.
Choudhrie supports the Columbia University Medical Centre through the Sudhir Choudhrie Professorship of Cardiology in Medicine. The Professorship advances medical knowledge and treatment in cardiology, with a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Choudhrie is also a Radcliffe Fellow of Oxford University's Green Templeton College.
Learn more about Sudhir Choudhrie
