How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by travancore

Also wish if we could get to see some of these pictures in Mr.Bhogilal's collection (only car I can positively identify is the ex-Rajkot Chrysler Airflow; and maybe the Nawanagar Lanchester he is holding). Also looks like a Bentley Speed Six / 6.5 Ltr towards the bottom right corner (black car)

Can only imagine what a treasure trove of pictures he may have.

I think top right is his Model T Ford, at his right knee maybe his 60s yellow Wolseley, early MG at bottom right corner, Rolls Silver Cloud below the Airflow, another Rolls to its left, Chrysler Town and Country to its left, green Lincoln V12 to its left. Between the Town and Country and black Rolls may be the Hotchkiss with F&F style mudguards and trims, now white.

[karlosdeville]

The Alwar Lanchester is announced here

Automobile Replaces Royal Coach for Maharajah in India



Also can anyone confirm whether this Daimler had Indian connections?

Daimler Type 45 (1920) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[karlosdeville]

Some more links forwarded to me by moralfibre

Maharajah's antique car on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMG_3616 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Late 40's Caddy.



An early Buick tourer



A later Roadmaster, Jodhpur.



A rare Overland

[the mole]

Originally Posted by travancore

Check out this Vanity Fair Story (and all 18 pictures) - it is worth it.
A Vroom of Their Own | vanityfair.com

Attachment 169437

The article made for a very amusing read by itself. Hillarious!

[moralfibre]

Here's a 1930 Cadillac boat tail speedster bodied by Pinin Farina ordered by some Maharajah (Orchha?) to hunt tigers in his domain in Bhopal India. The description, although blurred, mentions that it was a V-16.

SOURCE: link



Karl another site describing the Daimler is here:

TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

[travancore]

Originally Posted by speedy

They are pictures of Mr.Bhogilals cars and it is he who is holding the picture with he daughter seated to the left.

I thought I made that pretty obvious! Can we get to see some of these pictures posted for the joy of all (thought there were some "Speedy" connections to Mr. Bhogilal!!!) ? The complete Bhogilal picture can be seen on the Vanity Fair link I posted. Cheers

[travancore]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

The Alwar Lanchester is announced here

Automobile Replaces Royal Coach for Maharajah in India

Attachment 169814

Also can anyone confirm whether this Daimler had Indian connections?

Daimler Type 45 (1920) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Attachment 169816

I believe this Daimler is ex-Surguja. I will try to confirm again. Cheers

[harit]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Here's a 1930 Cadillac boat tail speedster bodied by Pinin Farina ordered by some Maharajah (Orchha?) to hunt tigers in his domain in Bhopal India. The description, although blurred, mentions that it was a V-16.

SOURCE: link

Attachment 169857

This is indeed the famour Orchha Caddy, V16 engined, bodied by Pinninfarina. This belonged to the actor who also exported the Duesenberg. He was staying in Tardeo and I have a period picture of the car standing on marine drive. She was smuggled out because the actor emigrated to Pakistan and should have left his property in India. At that time there was no export ban on vintage cars.

[bentleyrob]

And it now looks like this, Robert

[the mole]

While on holiday in Jodhpur in 2006 we stayed at the Ajit Bhavan palace and came across this collection. Not the best by maintainence standards but impressive.

[travancore]

Originally Posted by bentleyrob

And it now looks like this, Robert

Check out Post # 147 in this thread for a period picture of the Orccha Cadillac V-16 and a 1/25 scale model I built (converted Jo-Han phaeton)

Incidentally, the Orchha car was General Motors' first collaboration with Pinin Farina (that is how the name was originally spelt). The last I think was the Cadillac Allante of the 1980's / 1990's. Cheers

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by the mole

While on holiday in Jodhpur in 2006 we stayed at the Ajit Bhavan palace and came across this collection. Not the best by maintainence standards but impressive.

It is noteworthy to see the Royals of these sides actively collecting cars from outside Rajasthan as well. Case in point the Madras registered Chevy Fleetmaster.

What car is this?

[kavesh55]

Originally Posted by the mole

While on holiday in Jodhpur in 2006 we stayed at the Ajit Bhavan palace and came across this collection. Not the best by maintainence standards but impressive.

What happened to Amol. Appears thin here

[the mole]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

What car is this?

Karl I think its a Chevy dont remember exactly which one?

Originally Posted by kavesh55

What happened to Amol. Appears thin here

Those were the days I spent less time sitting on the couch, Surfing and posting on Team BHP

[harit]

In another thread on unidentified cars this picture was put up. The car was identified as a Cadillac. The original picture was in an article in Vanity Fair, taken from the Book on the cars of the Maharajas by Manvendra Singh and Mrs Dwivedi.
At the Cartier event a similar car was present, so two pictures of that car are also being posted for easy comparison. These pictures were posted by Mr. D.K.Gir. And both were Maharaja cars, so I have put the pics up here.

Cheers harit