Baroda Royal Family’s Prince Pratapsinh Gaekwad buys vintage Mustang Mach

Royal princes’ and their families in India are known for their lavish lifestyles and extensive car collections across the world and the royal prince of Baroda Pratapsinh Gaekwad is no different. The prince who is known for his exquisite taste in automobiles recently picked up a Grabber Blue 1971 Mach1 Cobra Jet and was seen driving it around the streets of Mumbai. He also owns some other magnificent cars like an Aston Martin DBS and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS along with a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL ‘Pagoda’ in his collection.

Reportedly there are only a handful of Ford Mustang Mach1s in India and most of them reside in Mumbai. Apart from Pratapsinh Gaekwad’s 1971 Mach1, another Mach1 is a 1969 model year Mustang. The car has been seen on multiple occasions and has been featured in the Mumbai-based Youtuber Horsepower Cartels video back in 2020. Also earlier last year, billionaire Gautam Singhania also picked up a heavily modified Mustang Mach1 in yellow color which he debuted at the Valley Run 2021.

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The pristine example which the prince Pratapsinh Gaekwad has acquired is finished in a vibrant shade of Grabber Blue. The 1971 Mustang was an entirely restyled Mustang of its generation. The muscle car was made longer, lower, wider, and a little heavier. The Mach 1 was available solely as a Sportsroof fastback, with a competition suspension, twin hood scoops, a distinctive grille and rear sail-panel treatment, black or silver lower bodywork, and Mach 1 decals. A 302ci V8 was standard, but two 351ci V8s, a 429ci Cobra Jet V8, and a Drag-Pac rear axle were also available as options. From the factory the car came mated to a Select-Shift Cruise-O-Matic Transmission.

As mentioned earlier the prince has an impeccable taste in cars and drives around in some of the most iconic automobiles. While speaking to Autocar India during an interview when he was asked about what cars he is currently driving he stated, “I drive an Aston Martin DBS and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS on the weekends. I also own a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL ‘Pagoda’, which I take to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally.”

He was also asked at the time about other cars in his wishlist to which he answered, “I’m looking to acquire an older Rolls-Royce that previously belonged to my family.” During the interview he was also asked about what was his first car to which he replied, “A 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL ‘Pagoda’. It was the car that my father used to take me for drives and to drop me to kindergarten in. He eventually gifted it to me and it’s the one car I will never let go of.”

When asked about his ideal 5 car dream garage, Pratapsinh Gaekwad said, he would like to have a Porsche Panamera, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, McLaren F1 and a Ferrari 250 GTO in his garage. He also mentioned that the Mclaren F1 was his favorite/dream money no object car. He added that the F1 was his dream car because it was the first hypercar in the true sense.

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