You can listen to the engine moanin’ out his one note song,” wrote Bob Seger in his immortal ballad Turn the Page, a song that encapsulates every aspect of power, adrenaline and the journey of life, using the road as a metaphor. It is in this essence that Yohan Poonawalla’s vintage car collection shows its true grandeur, not as an undeviating machine but as an orchestra of stories written in fabrication, leather and fuel. He has previously earned international recognition among renowned car collectors of the world such as Jay Leno, Nicola Bulgari and Ralph Lauren, among others. Outlook Luxe caught up with Yohan Poonawalla to chat about his passion. As Seger immortalised the tale of a traveller, these marvels on the road are tangible proof of how the Poonawalla legacy has been carried forward.
Custodian Of History
His collection began with a 1931 Chevrolet and a 1964 Mercedes Benz 220 S that were his family’s prized possessions. He recalls the immense pride of taking his very first drive in his father’s beloved Chevrolet. “That feeling of holding the steering wheel and feeling the history beneath my hands is something that has stayed with me to this day.” What began as an inherited interest in cars evolved into something bigger during the course of time. Poonawalla recalls, “It’s a love that has been nurtured from a very young age and passed down through my family. The fascination with automobiles, their history and the artistry behind them is truly a family legacy.”
From collecting rare pieces to meticulously researching their provenance, and personally overseeing their restoration, his journey has seen a natural progression. Each acquisition for him is not a conquest but a commitment to safeguard a fragment of history. T his personal touch has earned him a coveted spot among the world’s leading car collector community. “It has been a rewarding journey, built on a love for cars combined with a dedication to preserving their history,” agrees Poonawalla. “I am constantly conscious that these cars are not just my possessions; they are historical artefacts. They carry stories, legacies and significance far greater than me.” Many of the cars in Poonawalla’s collection once belonged to Indian royalty and dignitaries, making them rolling time capsules of a gilded past. Each vehicle carries with it a chapter of India’s social and cultural heritage, and for him preserving them is both a privilege and a responsibility. “It’s my way of ensuring that future generations can see and appreciate the elegance, craftsmanship, and grandeur that defined those times,” he adds.
A Soundtrack For The Road
For every event there is an outfit, for every occasion there is a luxury timepiece, and for every car there is a specific genre of music. The open road has always been therapeutic offering a sense of freedom. Poonawalla treats music as that co-passenger that completes the ride. “Every car has its own unique personality, and I make sure my music selection matches its mood,” he says. In a stately Rolls-Royce, it might be something classical and timeless; in a spirited vintage Ferrari, something upbeat and energetic.
The Challenges Of Preservation
Yet behind all the glamour lies the difficulty of maintaining such a fleet in India. “Sourcing the right spare parts is often difficult; we either have to depend on custom fabrication or import them,” Poonawalla explains. Finding skilled mechanics who can decode the intricate workings of decade-old machines is another uphill battle because each car demands a deep level of time, attention and commitment, and in return, it rewards you with a sense of immense satisfaction that only a true classic can offer. Ultimately, Poonawalla’s collection is an expression of his life philosophy. “It’s a testament to my belief in the importance of heritage, the appreciation of timeless elegance, and the responsibility of preserving a legacy,” he reflects. They are his holy grail in metal, his orchestra in chrome. Yet he is not a solemn curator in a museum. For Poonawalla, joy and responsibility are not opposites, they are intertwined. And as the engines moan out their one note song, they echo not just the poetry of the road but the enduring spirit of a man determined to keep time alive.
The grand collection truly deserves a grand stage, and it won’t be a surprise if we see a museum where these works of art can inspire few future generations. “A collection like this, with its deep historical roots, is meant to be shared, not hidden away,” he says. Such an institution would not just showcase cars but tell the broader story of India’s automotive and cultural heritage.
A Peek Into The Garage
The Silver Cloud
Among his favourites sits the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 2, a car that Poonawalla describes as a masterclass in design that never goes out of style, a rare gem with only 258 units around the world. His is a long wheelbase version with a 6.2 litre V8 under the hood. What draws him most is not its power but its grace, the way its lines seem to f low like silk in motion, the way its mere presence commands silence like a perfectly tailored suit gliding into a ballroom. For Poonawalla, the car is proof that design, when done right, transcends the ages.
The Regal Phantom V
Built by famed coachbuilder James Young, this seven-passenger limousine was a showstopper at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show. Once owned by HH Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar, it marries regal history with mechanical might. Beneath its aristocratic poise is a 6,230 cc V8 engine and a whisper smooth automatic gearbox, ensuring its performance is as commanding as its presence.
The Bentley Mark VI
Among his collection’s most heartfelt stories is that of the Bentley Mark VI Touring Saloon. Built just after World War II, this car truly
represents one of the significant chapters in Bentley’s history. Originally delivered to the Maharaja of Mysore in 1949, the car has made a comeback in the Poonawalla garage. “To bring it back to India and restore it was a deep privilege,” he says. Every nut and bolt restored revived its striking bright red and yellow hue.
The Lincoln Continental Popemobile
And then there is the car that tops it all: the Lincoln Continental Popemobile. Imported into India in 1964 for Pope Paul VI’s visit, it was used to bless the devotees before being gifted to Mother Teresa, who auctioned it to fund her humanitarian work. “We restored it to its original white livery,” says Poonawalla. Few cars carry such a profound aura, part ceremonial throne, part historical relic. It transcends the automotive realm, existing as a symbol of compassion and continuity.
The Jaipur Blue Star Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
In the automotive industry, ‘roadster’ refers to two main things, a style of open-top, two-seater sports car, often associated with performance and driving pleasure. T he Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is a joyous machine, and the production of the W 121 series 190 SL ran from May 1955 to February 1963. “The design features that stand out to me the most are its graceful, flowing lines and its elegant proportions,” he says. His 1958 model carries an added charm; it once belonged to Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur, and is finished in ‘Jaipur Blue’ hue. Driving it, he says, is about pure, unfiltered motoring. “You can hear the purr of the 1.9 litre engine and feel every nuance of the drive.” It is intimate, tactile, and serenely poetic — a roadster not just for roads, but for dreaming.
