Memories: Some Touching Moments-You and Your Car

[anjan_c2007]

All of us have been spending years and decades as owners of various cars. The car that has been with me the longest is a 1987 Maruti 800, which was in the family since 1987 and with me since April 24th 1990. I am completing 19 years with its ownership. Very, very sadly I may have to part company with it after all these years during which it had stood by me like an article of solid steel.And 19 years is no joke as anyone will agree.This car has been my vehicle for daily commute anywhere and everywhere. Its the best car for city use I still feel.The car has many Japanese made components which are still braving and enduring the adversities to keep the car running. it was from the earlier lot of the then new model I believe called SS80X - will check that.
In July 2003, a nearly four decade old guava tree in our house collapsed due to the monsoon winds. the guava tree was a family favourite as it used to give us very tasty fruits once or sometimes twice a year. I had gone out on my Yamaha RX 100 and upon returning saw the big tree tossed upon the frail Maruti, which was parked beneath it. The tree had been destroyed by termites too as I had earlier observed, but I never felt that all this will happen so soon.
Touchwood, my Maruti has never ever been involved in any accident minor or major but I have escaped accidents by a whisker many a time. I am not sure but there is something between this Maruti and me that helps both of us escape unscathed always. That applies to all my family members and friends too, who sometimes travel with me. And its reliability plus this factor were the sole reasons for which I had kept company of this lovely car for nearly two decades.
The sight from the entrance gate of our home was gory. I could never comprehend what had happened to the front portion of my car, seeing the rear portion from the entrance gate.Over the car's rear portion a branch was resting. I put the bike on its stand and ran towards the car. I got the delight of my life to see that the front portion was untouched and the thick main trunk had missed the A pillar of the car by some six inches or so. There were any scratches on the roof top but even the front windscreen had not been affected even a wee bit.
I called my family members and neighbours who all rushed to help. The tree was lifted with all the muscles available - also used the Bolero and the Landmaster jacks with wood pegs on the floor, to raise the tree a little bit. And mind you it was raining and becoming dark.
After the tree rose artificially, the car was moved to the front far away from the tree. Again the roof top got some scratches ( which are still there- will post pictures). But the car was safe. The next morning the guava tree was cut, removed and the area cleared.
The first battery that I replaced sometime in 1991 cost me Rs 725=00 and was the only model for Marutis that Exide sold.The tyres I changed cost me Rs 1090=00 (MRF 4 ply nylon tyres) in 1992. The tyre prices remain very less affected but the battery prices have jumped to about Rs 2800=00, a quantum four fold increase.
Never heavy on maintenance the car needed a little TLC and has virtually never let me down. Its very tough for me to part company with this little beauty. My Scorpio is to arrive in two/three days and maybe I keep this car for another fortnight to have some last drives on it.

[anjan_c2007]

Forgot to mention that my Maruti's paint is still original since 22 years! There are a few scratches here and there but its the original Gurgaon touch.

[loving_alaap]

A great car & even greater love for the car.

Buddy, now a days, such super quality you will never get from a new 800 (current one)

[GTO]

You ain't read nothing till you visit Drifters love affair with his Accent (My Car.....and more) or Jaggu's romance with his ex-girl (One last drive, those iKONic moments.).

All I can say is, we are in good company here on Team-BHP

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by GTO

You ain't read nothing till you visit Drifters love affair with his Accent (My Car.....and more) or Jaggu's romance with his ex-girl (One last drive, those iKONic moments.).

All I can say is, we are in good company here on Team-BHP

GTO read both the reviews well-one is a 2004 Accent(5 years) and the other a 2000 Ikon(7 years in 2007). None can match the 19 years I have had with my 800, though I have not been able to post a write up as good as either drifter or Jaggu.
My love for this car is so deep, that I never dared to change to a new one despite being on the receiving end from one and all. This car the 800 is very, very basic, frail and even unsafe by today's standards. It does'nt have even an AC. But I and my family have endured the drives purely due to the attachment we have.
And lastly, one very good piece of news is that I am not going to part company with this car so soon. Never maybe!

[Gasolinejunkie]

Some old Jap cars just go, its hard to believe how they do it. My 1989 Nissan Pulsar wouldn’t die, the head gasket finally blew and it lost compression on two cylinders – nothing I couldn’t fix. So and it still runs like a dream, not to mention the ported & polished inlets on the head & the brand new timing belt.
I sold that car to a friend but my Pajero is also a long serving well built Japanese masterpiece that lives on.

[anjan_c2007]

More pictures. Also shows my Sony ICE, the XR3757 HU and the four speakers fitted in 1998 cost me some Rs 12000=00 have never given me an opportunity to repair ever it since 11 years. Another picture shows the original Nippon Denso distributor.The CB point, condenser and the rotor ahve been changed on some occasions.

[godog]

One of the few things I actually recall from my youngest days. When pops sold it off for a brand new M800, I bawled my eyes off. I remember standing in the front seat and saluting the jawans around India Gate/Rashtrapati bhawan. They would ALWAYS salute back. And that its boot could fit three of me easily. If everything was going wrong, the sight of DBC 4428 would soothe my senses. If nobody is around, atleast she is, and soon everyone will gather around and we'll be happy again.




(I'm in the front seat, 17 years ago )

[Takumi-san]

that brought back fond memories godog. I was so attached to dads first padmini - he got it after an accident on the bajaj scooter where mom was sitting behind holding me. She scraped herself badly to ensure I wasnt even scratched. Dad decided that was it and managed to get a Fiat in taxi quota.

The car was finally sold after 2 decades , and I had tears in my eyes. Couldnt even go and watch the new driver take her away. Unfortunately did not have the resources to keep her forever. Otherwise I had promised myself that we would never sell it. This reminds me to dig up that old picture of her.

Very sweet photo of urs by the way.