The Autocar India Modern Classic Rally returns to Mumbai this weekend, promising another unforgettable celebration of motoring legends, poster cars and icons. With the static display scheduled to take place on 31st January and the rally set to take off on the morning of 1st of February (from the Grand Hyatt, Kalina) the event will once again bring together rare and much loved modern classic icons, as well as collectors and enthusiasts for a weekend of high octane passion and camaraderie.
Those interested in viewing the cars up close can buy tickets for the display on Saturday (details below) where 140 modern classics will be lined up. Spectators can also see the rally drive past on Sunday, the cars will drive from Kalina to Bandra and then onto the Bandra-Worli Sea-Link and the Coastal Road. Below are some of the highlights.
Ratan Tata’s eclectic collection
The focal point of this year’s rally will be four cars from Ratan Tata’s personal garage that showcase his eclectic taste and passion for American cars. His Ferrari California, acquired during the Tata-Fiat days, is the crown jewel. Combining a front‑engined V8 with elegant open top styling, like all his cars it is uniquely left-hand-drive; probably because he drove so much in the US when studying architecture there. Also part of the display two American muscle cars, his Chevrolet Corvette C4, and his Pontiac Firebird, both have bold individual styling and powerful V8 engines under the hood. Also on display his Lincoln Continental, showcasing his love of big, smooth, comfortable cars. Mr Tata could often be seen on Sundays taking one of his immaculately maintained cars out for spin along Marine drive. And like most enthusiasts, he would think nothing of spending hours at a garage while one of his cars would be being worked on. Clearly not someone who bought only expensive cars.
Rare Porsche gems
Porsche fans will be delighted by the presence of two rare sportscars, both of which had a profound effect on the company. The 930 Turbo Targa is one such rare example. The first 911 turbo, that combined the raw turbocharged performance of the 930 with the ‘open’ glass back Targa design, it is a rare car with only around 300 made. Alongside it, the Porsche 944, with its large capacity four cylinder engine showcases the brand’s engineering versatility, with its balanced handling and distinctive transaxle layout. Also on display, Porsche’s innate ability to deliver performance and handling across different layouts and platforms, something that held it in good stead later for the Panamera and Cayenne.
The mighty V10; the engine Formula 1 built
This year’s rally will also pay tribute to the V10 engine, a configuration that rose to prominence in Formula 1 and endurance racing before finding its way into supercars and road cars.
Sure the first V10s may have been fitted to locomotives and tanks, but once Formula 1 went V10 somewhere around 1989, the ‘new’ engine configuration balancing size, mass, stiffness, friction and responsiveness better than V8s or V12s, a whole raft of carmakers jumped on the bandwagon. The trend in F1 was started by Honda and Renault, who had early success, but then others like Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and finally Ferrari (grudgingly) followed too. Ferrari notably has never made a sportscar powered by a V10; at least not yet.
In our display the Dodge Viper’s 8.0‑litre V10 shouts American excess. It’s the ‘80s version of the Ford Cobra for many and delivers similar levels of brutal performance and a raw driving appeal, but with a howling V10 under the hood.
The Audi R8 V10 brings German high-tech engineering to the party, combining high revs and top class metallurgy. The engine is shared (although not officially) with Lamborghini and we have both the Gallardo and Huracan, on display. Manufactured by Audi in Hungary (in Gyor), sharing the same block, crankshaft, and 90mm bore spacing, Lamborghini engines are more highly strung, use higher-flow cylinder heads, lighter flywheels, more aggressive cams and the more raucous exhausts. The ECUs are also setup for higher peak horsepower (602–640 hp for the Huracan vs. 540–610 hp in R8).
And is there a connection here between the Dodge Viper V10 and Lamborghini? Yes Lamborghini designed the V10 for the Viper; remember Chrysler owned Lamborghini at the time. And no the all aluminium engine was no truck engine, it was only based on tech from a heavy similarly configured Dodge engine.
Japanese performance icons
Japanese engineering will also be well represented with the presence of the Mazda RX‑8, with its rotary engine and distinctive ‘suicide’ doors. Also part of the showcase this year the Toyota MR2 (second generation) offers mid‑engined balance, sharp handling, and bullet proof dependability in a sports car. Come on Akio, bring it back. Completing the line‑up is a modified Toyota Supra, a car that has achieved legendary status thanks to its unbreakable 2Jz straight six that can easily take 800–1000hp.
Ferrari Fest
No rally would be complete without Ferrari, and this year’s event will host a spectacular lineup. The 458 Aperta represents open‑top supercar perfection, with its naturally aspirated V8 that revs to 9000rpm and beyond. The perfect riposte, the front engine F12 Berlinetta showcases Ferrari’s mastery of front‑engined V12 performance genre, something it has had in its lineup from 1947, albeit with a bit of a break. The 488 and 488 Pista bring turbocharged power and track‑focused engineering, demonstrating Ferrari’s ability to evolve while staying true to its heritage.
How to get a close look
Those keen to spend time in the company of these cars and can purchase tickets to the static display on Saturday through BookMyShow. A limited number of passes will be available, offering car lovers the chance to experience these icons up close. See link below.
The Modern Classic Rally 2026 promises to be a landmark event, bringing together rare and iconic cars from all over. From Ratan Tata’s eclectic collection, rare Porsche gems, the celebration of the V10 engine, Japanese legends and Ferrari’s finest, the line‑up tells the story of motoring’s golden age. An age when the car industry wasn’t over regulated or chocked of creativity, when engineers and designers could build something timeless without having a bevy of lawyers following them around and throwing the rule book at them, when the only electric cars you could buy were milk trolleys and fork lifts.
Tickets for the Modern Classic Rally 2026 are now available via BookMyShow!
