Travancore Royal Family to present 1955 model Mercedes-Benz 180T to billionaire Yusuf Ali

Travancore Royal Family will present a 1955 model Mercedes-Benz 180T car owned by Sri Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma Foundation to UAE-based Malayali billionaire Yusuf Ali MA.

Thiruvananthapuram, April 4: Travancore Royal Family will present a 1955 model Mercedes-Benz 180T car. Owned by Sri Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma Foundation to UAE-based Malayali billionaire Yusuf Ali MA. The car kept at Pattom Royal Palace will be handed over to the NRI business man. As a sign of the close relationship between him and late Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma. Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, who died in 2013, was the titular Maharaja of Travancore. He was the younger brother of the last ruling monarch of Travancore, Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

The car, built in Stuttgart, Germany, was bought by the Royal Family for Rs 12,000 in 1950. The car (CAN 42) was registered in Karnataka State. The Benz was one of Marthanda Varma’s favorite car collections at the Palace. While living in Bangalore, Benz was his companion for every ride. This Benz also earned the nickname ‘Mile A Minute’ for Marthanda Varma. Who travelled at a speed of one mile per minute.

Advertisement

It is estimated that Marthanda Varma travelled 40 lakh miles on his own. And as a passenger from the age of 38. As a recognition, the Benz company’s medals were also affixed in front of the car to mark the distance covered. Even at the age of 85, Marthanda Varma used to drive this car. Many dignitaries shown interest to buy this Benz at a hefty price. The Benz company also offered to buy the car as a symbol of pride. Having travelled a record distance behind even the newgen cars. The Benz company offered to take back this car by giving two new cars.

But Marthanda Varma, who kept everything antiques, was not ready to give up that lifelong friend. Following a visit to Yusuf Ali’s residence in Abu Dhabi, Marthanda Varma invited him to visit the Pattam Palace. Later, in 2012, when Yusuf Ali arrived at the Palace. Marthanda Varma expressed his desire to present the car to his old friend. After the passing away of Marthanda Varma in 2013. The Royal Family took a decision to present the car to Yusuf Ali now.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Business Upturn staff. And is published from a syndicated feed.)