I have been out in India for a month and a half doing my medical elective, and seeing the usual range of japanese and korean and indian cars, mixed with old Fiat 1100D's (Padmini Premier) and Ambassador's (Morris Oxford MO), with the odd Morris Minor and Standard Herald (CKD of Trimph heralds). Knowing my keen interest in cars my uncle took me to see his friend who has "a few antique cars". These transpired to be, hiding under tarps, in a small garage a SS 100 Jaguar 2 1/2 DHC that was in stunning condition, rubbing shoulders with a Austin 7 Ruby and a special order Mercedes 180 made for a maharaja together with a Renault 5 and a 2 CV. It really made my motoring day :-). Thought i would share. Bye bye
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Expect a posting from Amit any second now. But I think India has some laws in place that outlaws the exportation of historic artefacts, including old cars. I know smoke did not mention this, but someone else might start to get ideas.
HJ
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A lot of pains have gone into restoration of all the cars due to the availibility (or lack of) of parts and materials. So none of the cars are for sale at all before anyone asks :-).
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Expect a posting from Amit any second now. But I think India has some laws in place that outlaws the exportation of historic artefacts, including old cars. >>
.........and here I am, there is a law preventing pre 1952 cars from being exported as they are "antiques". Howver, a lot of them were dismantled and sent out as "scrap". The ones that remain here are cherished. People go to the extent of making/ recreating the parts. Very few people are into this for the money - only for the passion.
There is a gentleman called Pranlal Bhogilal who has one of the worlds most extensive collections - 200 + . He is in the Gusiness Book of Records. Uses these cars regularly. Cars are kept in Bombay and in a another townhouse and also farm outside Ahmedabad, latter is a museum now. A friend of mine got me into the townhouse - amazing variety but the cars are not concours standards by any means.
Used to be lots of 1940-50's austin's - all scrapped for the copper/ brass content.
goto www.wiaaindia.com for more
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Here comes the pedant author of the local drinker's monthly quiz -- classic auto section.
The Hindustan Ambassador was not modelled on the Morris Oxord MO. That was a flathead monstrosity which looked like an inflated Morris Minor MM of 1948, which indeed it was. It boasted a column gear change and a performance akin to a snail on Mogadon.
The Ambassador was based on the BMC Morris Oxford Series II body shape and running gear with the BMC "B" Series 1489 cc engine that powered all sorts of BMC things from MGB's to the J2 Series Van. This latter was so awful it could rust away in the space of a journey from London to Birmingham. Meanwhile the Oxford needed a crank regrind and a jolly good rebore after about 25,000 miles.
I believe the Ambassador now has a diesel option and I have noted from my own trips to India that many detail changes have been made, yet the basic shape is still unchanged. I always rather enjoyed riding in it, it always seemed to have plenty of room and was very comfortable.
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Spent my teens trying to break the family "amby" but it refused to die - a week every two years would see the engine out, rebored and back in. (took a mere 1 hour to disconnect, unbolt and life engine out). Rivals the beetle in the "never can die contest?!
The ole "amby" is available with isuzu petrol and diesel engines. I used to use a chauffer driven petrol one to travel 400km to consult on a project. It was really comfortable once you forget that it has drum brakes all round.
Got a friend of mine who has fitted an isuzu engine to his dad's original car, fitted disk brake, freeflow exhaust - tightened the suspension and is moves quite well
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Talking about cars that refuse to die , a new one is in the making out in India. The Mauruti Suzuki 800 (aka the Alto II from 1985). Now in its 4th revamp (i.e.new lights) and a true car for the masses. I have seen these things loaded to the gills with people, and still moving. About as comfortable as a bone shaker but a really affordable means of getting long distances.
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I was reading on an Indian forum about the new Fiat Palio, looked at it on google image search, what is it based on? I don't recognise it. Anyway, people were slating Fiat India for poor customer service (sounds familiar) Sounds to me as if Fiat India will go bust before much longer.
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A few years ago, in the late 90's, I went to Bangalore to give a series of lectures.
Every Ambassador I rode in had been decorated by it's owner to his own individual taste. Some of the fabrics used for interior upholstery were very individual. The thing that amazed me most however, was the way that cows approaching the intersection outside my hotel would stop for a red light, then wait patiently for a green before proceeding.
The food was damn good too.
Kevin...
PS. Every time I buy a classic car mag. there seems to be an article about a historic vehicle being discovered somewhere in India.
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