Bentleys in India

[DKG]

A beautifully restored Bentley seen recently at the Auto Expo in Delhi

[awini]

this is an ex darbangha car,one of the several bentleys they owned, if im right, its a 4.25 litre MR overdrive chassis, with a body by vanden plas

[karlosdeville]

One of the prettiest Bentleys Ive seen, and part of one of the best collections Ive see - Quality, not Quantity! More tomorrow.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

My favourite car of all in India.

In that case, here she is at the Stateman in 89, appears unrestored here.

[DKG]

Hope this Vanden Plas saloon gets back on the road soon

[Julian UK]

Here's another Delhi Bentley 1936 4 1/4 litre Derby , that went to the UK for restoration . Before it went it must of done 6-7 Delhi rallies, I first got it running in about the late 80s but the body needed major work (huge heavy DHC doors really do damage , a common problem). A lot of these Bentleys kept well, rebuild the carbs and other ancillaries do the clutch and the engines can go on and on. But they aren't REAL Bentleys. They're Rolls-Bentleys.

[awini]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

There is a MX in Delhi also. Originally it had a lovely nickel patina and when asked to have it all chromed I refused to do it but they had it done anyway. Lovely car.
Attachment 3941

i remember when it was pale green with nickle.... sigh... lovely!! such understated elegance!!

I'm attaching the pics of the delhi mx, B91MX i think.. its a james young, ex nabha i think, unfortunately the current owner is apparently modifying the body into something more sporty.
maharani gayatri devi,s bentley coupe is also an MX

[awini]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Here's another Delhi Bentley 1936 4 1/4 litre Derby , that went to the UK for restoration . Before it went it must of done 6-7 Delhi rallies, I first got it running in about the late 80s but the body needed major work (huge heavy DHC doors really do damage , a common problem). A lot of these Bentleys kept well, rebuild the carbs and other ancillaries do the clutch and the engines can go on and on. But they aren't REAL Bentleys. They're Rolls-Bentleys.
Attachment 3962
Attachment 3964

thats nabha 34, kishore talking to HK dhanda,who was with me at that rally, which means i was somewhere close when this pic was taken.

[Julian UK]

Quote Awini -Maharani Gayatri Devi's Bentley coupe is also an MX
This is the engine bay of her car, I took it in the Queenie film at Ram Bagh hotel,
Has anyone got a picture of the car? I lost the photos I had. If I remember its a beautiful French body.


Quote Awini
I'm attaching the pics of the delhi mx, B91MX i think.. its a james young, ex nabha i think, unfortunately the current owner is apparently modifying the body into something more sporty.

OH NO!!!!!

[travancore]

[quote=Julian UK;773095]Quote Awini -Maharani Gayatri Devi's Bentley coupe is also an MX
This is the engine bay of her car, I took it in the Queenie film at Ram Bagh hotel,
Has anyone got a picture of the car? I lost the photos I had. If I remember its a beautiful French body.
Attachment 3972

Here are period and current pictures of Raj Mata Gayatri Devi's Bentley :

Period Picture with the Maharaja (looks like the same car - 3 1/2 liter ???) . I do not know where I got the picture from to acknowledge source!



Current Picture (source: Sherman Padam's photostream on Flickr - for all I know, he may be a fellow BHP-ian!)
Since the picture was taken at a rally, I have not blanked out the licence plates



And while we are at it, couple more Jaipur Bentleys (based on what the websites tell me)

ex-Jaipur Bentley 1930 Speed 6 Chassis LR-2778 body by H.J. Mulliner
(source: Classic Driver / Jonathan Procter)





ex-Jaipur Bentley S3
(source: Affordable Chauffeured Classic Cars)


Shall include a few other Bentleys in a later post!

[khanak]

Here is one in Gurgaon

[DKG]

Originally Posted by awini

i think, unfortunately the current owner is apparently modifying the body into something more sporty.

Could someone possibly prevail on him to remove the original body and store while he fulfills his ambitions on designing one for himself. That way should be blunder he can always revert to the original

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by awini

unfortunately the current owner is apparently modifying the body into something more sporty.

Who does he think he is? A modern day Maharaja?

Anyways here are more pics of Nabha 34, Delhi 89. Pic courtesy xoticars.

Originally Posted by travancore

Period Picture with the Maharaja (looks like the same car - 3 1/2 liter ???) . I do not know where I got the picture from to acknowledge source!

Do give us larger size pictures. We need to see detail in such rare images!

EDIT- DKG whats the story with the slowly junking black car? Looks remarkably well preserved.

[DKG]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

EDIT- DKG whats the story with the slowly junking black car? Looks remarkably well preserved.

Its a single owner car, obviously not in use for quite a while, the family intends having it restored eventually

PS: Of the Mark V1's the last of the Darbhanga cars was apparently an immaculate original with only 2000 miles. I remember it was offered at the time for 15 lacs (didn't have the money) but sold for a little more I am told. I think that car was in silver?

A friend has the Pondicherry Mother's Mark V1 here in Hyderabad

[karlosdeville]

This 1951 Mark VI was ex Mysore, and purchased by the Jeejeebhoy family in 55. A remarkably virgin and unrestored car, she still sports original pink leather. The car was painted in 74 and still looked flawless. She went in for a repaint and new tyres a week after I took these photos, and to most people it would be hard to tell. She is one the most silent cars Ive ever (tried to) hear.