Pune Billionaire Yohan Poonawalla Awarded ‘Hero of the Rally’ Title At Mille Miglia UAE
By Sanjay Jadhav
January 10, 2025
Pune: Representing India, Yohan Poonawalla, celebrated for his passion for automotive excellence and his remarkable collection of premium, exotic, and classic vehicles, was recently honored with the prestigious ‘Hero of the Rally’ award at the Mille Miglia UAE rally.
Commenting on 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.
“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 raring 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,” added Yohan Poonawalla.
This recognition not only highlights Poonawalla’s love for classic cars but also his invaluable contributions to preserving automotive heritage.
The Yohan Poonawalla Collection in India is an assemblage of 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 participated in the event. In 1964, when Pope Paul VI visited India to attend the International Eucharistic Congress, a brand new Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible was imported for the pontiff. The open-touring, long-wheelbase car was deemed ideal for the papal tour as thousands of devotees and blessing-seekers thronged the Indian streets to catch a glimpse of the leader of the Catholic Church. Video footage and photographs from the visit show the high priest travelling in it, decorated with flagmasts on both sides, as it seamlessly cruised past huge crowds and was guarded by a battery of bike-riding policemen.
Subsequently, prior to his departure, the Pope gifted the Lincoln to Mother Teresa, the Calcutta-based Nobel laureate. The Albanian-born missionary was known for a lifetime of services to the needy, in particular compassion towards the homeless and disease-stricken destitute. The altruist that she was, Mother Teresa auctioned off the vehicle and donated its proceeds to a welfare trust. Today, the historic car has been returned to its original white livery with the original interiors also preserved. It is mechanically in fine fettle and remains in concours condition. Designed by Elwood Engel, the luxurious Lincoln was powered by a 7-litre V8. It was Ford’s Motor Company’s answer to General Motor’s Cadillac. Steeped in history, with an illustrious pedigree and noble provenance, this car is an automotive monument to the first-ever papal visit to India.
It’s his lineup of rare vintage automobiles that truly sets Yohan Poonawalla apart. Among his most iconic pieces are a 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—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 earned him global recognition, with accolades such as the Classic Car Ambassador of the Year Award 2023’ by 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 named ‘Collector of The Year 2023’ at the Geneva International Motor Show in Qatar.
