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historyman · 8th April 2008, 15:29

Stanher - Thanks for the info about Oldsmobile. I’ve tracked down the following data:

In 1893 the Olds Motor Works first export order (a 4 wheeled steam car) was despatched by ship to India – but it didn’t arrive. The ship sank on the way there! I wonder who placed the order?

In 1898 a car was brought into India by H Hewitt (model not known, maybe an Oldsmobile) and by 1900 three Oldsmobile were imported into the country (by Mr.Jamshedji Tata, founder of the Tata Group of Industries, Rustom Cama, an attorney and Kavasji Wadia of Bombay Garage).

Researching the Olds story led me to a report about the Phulkian Dynasty. It included a statement that the Maharaja of Patiala (Punjab) imported the first motor car to India in 1892, a French De Dion Bouton Steam Powered two cylinder tricar.

I also discovered that a car was first driven in Calcutta in 1896. I'd like to find out which model. Does anyone know?

I’ll try to check out your comment about the Baby Hindustan/Morris Minor. I got the info from the Times of India Report of 15 Aug 2007 (“The Baby Hindustan which was in reality the hugely popular Morris Minor”). Can anyone help? Was it based on the Morris Minor?

8th April 2008, 15:29	#12 (permalink)
historyman Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eyam, UK Posts: 28	Historyman Stanher - Thanks for the info about Oldsmobile. I’ve tracked down the following data: In 1893 the Olds Motor Works first export order (a 4 wheeled steam car) was despatched by ship to India – but it didn’t arrive. The ship sank on the way there! I wonder who placed the order? In 1898 a car was brought into India by H Hewitt (model not known, maybe an Oldsmobile) and by 1900 three Oldsmobile were imported into the country (by Mr.Jamshedji Tata, founder of the Tata Group of Industries, Rustom Cama, an attorney and Kavasji Wadia of Bombay Garage). Researching the Olds story led me to a report about the Phulkian Dynasty. It included a statement that the Maharaja of Patiala (Punjab) imported the first motor car to India in 1892, a French De Dion Bouton Steam Powered two cylinder tricar. I also discovered that a car was first driven in Calcutta in 1896. I'd like to find out which model. Does anyone know? I’ll try to check out your comment about the Baby Hindustan/Morris Minor. I got the info from the Times of India Report of 15 Aug 2007 (“The Baby Hindustan which was in reality the hugely popular Morris Minor”). Can anyone help? Was it based on the Morris Minor?