How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas - Page 32 - Team-BHP

wasif · 30th October 2009, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I came across some real rarities (online), the Benaras cars on display.

Cadillac
Attachment 216643

1956/57 Plymouth Savoy
Attachment 216644

1936/37 Dodge (?)
Attachment 216645

1947/48 Buick Super 8
Attachment 216646

1947 (?) Ford, possibly a van/light bus.
Attachment 216647

The jewel in the crown, 1917 (as the plate says) Minerva
Attachment 216648

Varanasi - a set on Flickr

Hey Karl.

What is the story behind these Benaras State Cars, why are they in such a bad state going by the fact that they look like they are well garaged ?

Are they still with te Royal Family or have they since mooved on.
Please do try to get details on that Minerva also

karlosdeville · 30th October 2009, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasif

Hey Karl.

What is the story behind these Benaras State Cars, why are they in such a bad state going by the fact that they look like they are well garaged ?

Are they still with te Royal Family or have they since mooved on.
Please do try to get details on that Minerva also

I have no more details than what I posted, which I came across online. They probably still belong to the family/some trust, since they are on display. I remember a Rolls or two being gifted to the BHU (Benaras Hindu University).

issigonis · 30th October 2009, 16:12

Do we have any team bhpians in Banaras who might be able to dig out more info. on the Raja of Banaras's cars? The Minerva is certainly the most interesting of that bunch.

Any updates on the auction of the Nawab of Bahawalpur's Bentley?

Regards

karlosdeville · 31st October 2009, 22:03

For sake of continuity, here is a photo of a Barker Tourer, ex Benaras (as is the other, I assume), as yet unidentified, taken from the forum itself.

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Star man · 2nd November 2009, 13:25

This is a 1939 Ford Van ,also known as a Woody. When My Dad was in the Army after WW2 the New Zealand Army had dozens of them. Today none are left.
Mostly because the wooden bodies didn't last long in NZ's wet climate.
A '40 standard can be differentiated from a 1939 deluxe by the little chrome badges on the bottom on the bonnet. The 1940 standard had a large diecast peice on the nose of the bonnet. A very rare car but the wood bits are available new in the USA.

karlosdeville · 8th November 2009, 14:03

A superb old image of the famed Alwar Lanchester attending a rally in Delhi, courtesy magnumphotos.

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Some video stills of a Jaipur/Jodhpur wedding from here
Royal Ceremonies on Vimeo

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And some more images from ethnologia.com

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karlosdeville · 11th November 2009, 14:56

I came across this picture of a V8 Caddy, reportedly built for hunting in India. No confirmation!

how-rich-were-maharajas-before-independence-cars-maharajas-caddy.jpg

Cadillac Shooting Brake on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

karlosdeville · 17th November 2009, 16:48

This month's issue of Auto India carries 2 interesting stories, one of which is a feature on the Invicta Black Prince in Bombay, written by Behram Ardeshir.

It mentions that the car was built on May 30, 1948 for Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar of Mysore, bodied by Airflow Streamlines of Northhampton. Originally 2 tone racing green with grey conolly upholstry and dark green leather hood. The car was sold in May 52 to a Gondal prince, transported to Pune by rail and then driven to Bombay. It was registered 'GONDAL 25'. In 61 it was sold to one Frederick Vickery, who then sold it to the present owners.

This issue also has 2 insightful letters to the editor regarding the vintage car scene, one by our own Harit.

manishalive · 17th November 2009, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

This month's issue of Auto India carries 2 interesting stories, one of which is a feature on the Invicta Black Prince in Bombay, written by Behram Ardeshir.

Read that story, and then Zigwheels has a story on the 1928 RR Phantom 1 of Maharaja Hari Singh Bahadur up for Auction by RM.

wasif · 18th November 2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I came across this picture of a V8 Caddy, reportedly built for hunting in India. No confirmation!

Attachment 225939

Cadillac Shooting Brake on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

It is unlikely Karl as the car appears to be a LHD.

Now in those days when one ordered a car it would be delivered in RHD.

wildsdi5530 · 21st November 2009, 01:45

Pity our politicians are so wary of throwing money around like the Maharajahs of yesteryears. I remember Jayalalitha being rammed for the extravagance of her foster son's wedding a few years back. Imagine Laloo in a Rolls showroom asking for the latest models to shift bhains dung.

30th October 2009, 16:12	#468 (permalink)
issigonis BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 190	Any bhpians from Banaras? Do we have any team bhpians in Banaras who might be able to dig out more info. on the Raja of Banaras's cars? The Minerva is certainly the most interesting of that bunch. Any updates on the auction of the Nawab of Bahawalpur's Bentley? Regards

31st October 2009, 22:03	#469 (permalink)
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 5,581 View My Garage	For sake of continuity, here is a photo of a Barker Tourer, ex Benaras (as is the other, I assume), as yet unidentified, taken from the forum itself. __________________ ( O \ \| / O )

8th November 2009, 14:03	#471 (permalink)
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 5,581 View My Garage	A superb old image of the famed Alwar Lanchester attending a rally in Delhi, courtesy magnumphotos. Some video stills of a Jaipur/Jodhpur wedding from here Royal Ceremonies on Vimeo And some more images from ethnologia.com __________________ ( O \ \| / O ) Last edited by karlosdeville : 8th November 2009 at 14:07.

11th November 2009, 14:56	#472 (permalink)
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 5,581 View My Garage	I came across this picture of a V8 Caddy, reportedly built for hunting in India. No confirmation! Cadillac Shooting Brake on Flickr - Photo Sharing! __________________ ( O \ \| / O )

17th November 2009, 16:48	#473 (permalink)
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 5,581 View My Garage	This month's issue of Auto India carries 2 interesting stories, one of which is a feature on the Invicta Black Prince in Bombay, written by Behram Ardeshir. It mentions that the car was built on May 30, 1948 for Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar of Mysore, bodied by Airflow Streamlines of Northhampton. Originally 2 tone racing green with grey conolly upholstry and dark green leather hood. The car was sold in May 52 to a Gondal prince, transported to Pune by rail and then driven to Bombay. It was registered 'GONDAL 25'. In 61 it was sold to one Frederick Vickery, who then sold it to the present owners. This issue also has 2 insightful letters to the editor regarding the vintage car scene, one by our own Harit. __________________ ( O \ \| / O )

2nd November 2009, 13:25	#470 (permalink)
Star man BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brisbane Qld.Australia Posts: 67	This is a 1939 Ford Van ,also known as a Woody. When My Dad was in the Army after WW2 the New Zealand Army had dozens of them. Today none are left. Mostly because the wooden bodies didn't last long in NZ's wet climate. A '40 standard can be differentiated from a 1939 deluxe by the little chrome badges on the bottom on the bonnet. The 1940 standard had a large diecast peice on the nose of the bonnet. A very rare car but the wood bits are available new in the USA.

21st November 2009, 01:45	#476 (permalink)
wildsdi5530 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 31 View My Garage	Pity our politicians are so wary of throwing money around like the Maharajahs of yesteryears. I remember Jayalalitha being rammed for the extravagance of her foster son's wedding a few years back. Imagine Laloo in a Rolls showroom asking for the latest models to shift bhains dung.

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