Tucked away, a little over 66 kms Northeast from the city of Junagadh in Gujarat, we drove to an obscure town, GONDAL.
Junagadh city to GONDAL, Gujarat
Home to a fascinating collection of American and European classic and vintage cars at the Orchard Palace.
Being an avid car enthusiast, this place was on my bucket list for a long time.
I will take you through the fantastic collection across three posts.
The Orchard Palace
entrance to the car museum
This car museum is dedicated to Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji who ruled this region, around the initial years of 19th century.
The royal collection has over 32 vehicles of the 1900’s all the way to 1980’s.
His son, Maharaja Jyotendra Singhji of Gondal presently owns these cars.
Beautiful highways
Driving through tabletop, NH151, we headed towards Rajkot.
We started early from the old city of Junagadh through small hillocks under a young sun that lit up the countryside.
The Gondal Palace
A sprawling European styled gated area with a red bricked palace on one side, and rows of long parking areas with lovely gardens on the other greeted us 😊
Gujarat where the cars were parked
We saw artistically decorated gardens, long parking edifices residing around paved roads within the bounded area.
Palace ground
After parking, inside the palace ground, we set off to get a glimpse of the vintage beauties.
Parking houses
Slanted tiled roofs met the glass lined walled parking enclosures, with car graffities on the sides.
Excitement was written on our faces as we walked towards the cars.
housing the cars at Gondal Orchard Palace, Gujarat
We kickoff our tour with the American cars of the 1930’s.
American cars-1930’s🚗
Globular headlights, perched on the curvy mud guards stared at us – 1935 Packard 120, Ford V8 Cabriolet and a 1935 Buick Series 40.
How were the American cars, 1930’s?
entry into the mid-priced car market, ensuring the company’s
financial survival during the Great depression
American cars during the 1930’s were robust, had streamlined designs.
Modern features like, independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes, contributed towards improving comfort and safety.
Let’s have a quick glance at Gondal cars.
Gondal Gujarat
American cars-1950’s 🚗
In the 1950s, American car designs were bold, had loud styles, included tailfins, and loads of chrome.
Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
Cars, like the Cadillac Eldorado and Chevrolet Bel Air, exuded luxury, size, and power.
We spotted two beauties – A Chevrolet Deluxe and an extremely sharp, beautiful car – a Cadillac limo.
the Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
at the Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
American cars – 1970’s 🚗
During the 70’s you will see a shift in the designs. American cars were large, powerful with V8 engines, fanned the muscle car and luxury sedans.
at Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
However, due to recession, oil crisis, designs were made for fuel efficiency too. Gondal had to offer these.
Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
American cars – 1980’s 🚗
The 80’s era forced American car designs drastically. More fuel-efficient and aerodynamic models were made to bring fuel costs down and to support firmer environmental regulations. Compact cars, like the Ford Escort and Chevrolet Cavalier, came along.
Gondal had one of its kind, at least what I saw. The car blasted out of nowhere, I was quick to capture.
Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
Orchard Palace, Gondal, Gujarat
Part 2
In the Part 2 of Gondal classic cars, we will come across the regal ladies of the 1940’s.
Part 3
In the Part 3 of Gondal classic cars, you can see the beautiful 1960’s collection.
Part 4
Gondal Royal family has a stupendous European collection of classic cars. A must see, Part 4.
Part 5
You will be amazed to see how the Royal family of the former Gondal princely state travelled across India in Part 5. They travelled in their personally owned Saloon Train Carriage.
Part 6
Smell the wet earth, experience serenity as you wander through a Japanese Garden 🌿in Part 6.
Catch you there 🌟🤗
Inference
- 1935 Packard 120
- 1935 Ford V8 Cabriolet
- 1935 Buick Series 40
- 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe
- 1955 Cadillac Limousine
- 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
- 1978 Chevrolet Corvette
- 1980 Lincoln Continental Mark VI
| Distance from Junagadh to the Orchard Palace | 66 kms |
| Best time to visit | December through early March, avoid summers |
| Timings | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed from 12 pm to 3 pm for lunch) Time Required: 2-3 hours Closed on Mondays |
| Parking | The Orchard Palace has its own parking |
| Pocket pinch | Entry Fee: Indians – Vintage Car Museum Rs.120 Camera – Rs.80 Mobile camera – Rs.80 Video Shooting charge: Rs.200 |
| Places to visit around | Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Naulakha Palace Shri Ramanath Dham |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 