[Autocraze]

Hi,

This is one very interesting thread. UBS seems to live life Jeep size. He's got a few amazing jeeps tucked deep in his garage. Its just amazing how one can live his life doing the thing he loves best "restoration of Jeeps"

Three Cheers to you UBS.

Regards,

Autocraze

[V-16]

Great report Aniket. I have spoken to UBS a couple of times when he read my report on my CJ3B RCL restoration. We exchanged a few PMs and he just called me one day to find out what and how i was doing. It felt really great.

He gave me a lot of invaluable advice on my restoration and also offered to keep for me the tail gate of a CJ3B. My only problem in i dont know how to get it down here in Bombay from Calcutta. If someone can advice me, id gladly get it here.

You are lucky that you will be spending so much time with him, restoring the LC. I say this because whatever time you can spend with a legend like him, one will benefit with the knowledge one can derive from just being with him. Please give him my best regards whenever you meet him next. Tell him he must add my name to his ever growing fan list.

One question though, did you spot any Gaz/Uaz 69s in his garage?

[predatorwheelz]

Originally Posted by V-16

Great report Aniket. I have spoken to UBS a couple of times when he read my report on my CJ3B RCL restoration. We exchanged a few PMs and he just called me one day to find out what and how i was doing. It felt really great.

He gave me a lot of invaluable advice on my restoration and also offered to keep for me the tail gate of a CJ3B. My only problem in i dont know how to get it down here in Bombay from Calcutta. If someone can advice me, id gladly get it here.

You are lucky that you will be spending so much time with him, restoring the LC. I say this because whatever time you can spend with a legend like him, one will benefit with the knowledge one can derive from just being with him. Please give him my best regards whenever you meet him next. Tell him he must add my name to his ever growing fan list.

One question though, did you spot any Gaz/Uaz 69s in his garage?

Gogi Bhai,

Extremely sorry for missing out your post earlier. UBS is truly a great person, for he manages to remain extremely humble despite being so knowledgeable and experienced.

I will try to help you with logistics of transporting the said tailgate if you want. And no, I did not see any GAZ/UAZ in his garage. Neither did UBS mention any. But he also has another location where he keeps a few vehicles of his collection. Will ask him the next time I visit him.

[V-16]

Thanks Aniket.

I do intend calling him in a few days for some more advice as my CJ draws closer to completion. I know nothing of the vehicle except its capability and some points i have gathered from the forum, the net and of course UBS himself.

[harit]

Originally Posted by predatorwheelz

As stated already, sir UBS has started collecting 4X4 of all vintages, with a view of having the world's largest (and varied) collection of 4X4s. The following are the cars he has already collected:
2. A short-chassis Unimog (Second pic). Bought by Tata Motors to copy chassis designs for the Tata 407 4X4 (wow!), the car was completely taken apart and subsequently sold as scrap. Sir UBS admits that the car needs exhaustive work to bring together again.

I was interested about the Unimog.
Very few Unimog's seem to have come to India, apparently Air India had some along with a smaller 319 Mercedes bus and a couple of larger original Mercedes busses.
The story of Tata buying a Unimog to make a 407 4X4 is interesting. Perhaps someone can check with Telco if this is true. Did this 407 4X4 ever come out? Perhaps for military applications?
I have pictures of a small Unimog being demonstrated to a Telco team in the 1950's. They were shown its off road capabilities and agricultural capabilities with suitable accessories. But Telco did not bitr at that time. Nice historic pictures of what cold have been.
The manner in which this Unimog is kept does not inspire confidence that it will come on the road.
BTW, Mahindras have a large lot of imported SUV's used for their R&D. I understand tat these vehicles can never be reegistered, having been imported fror R&D.

[predatorwheelz]

Originally Posted by harit

The story of Tata buying a Unimog to make a 407 4X4 is interesting. Perhaps someone can check with Telco if this is true. Did this 407 4X4 ever come out? Perhaps for military applications?

The manner in which this Unimog is kept does not inspire confidence that it will come on the road.

Yes Harit, the Tata 407 4X4 did come out, only for military applications. Here's a pic taken from another thread. As far as the authenticity of the story (using a Unimog to make a 407 4X4) is concerned, I have no proof of this myself. The thing is (I dont need to tell you this), when documenting any vintage car's history, you have to rely a lot on what the current owner tells you. And UBS is a lot more believable than a lot of other pseudo-enthusiasts I've met in Kolkata!

I too dont think the Unimog will ever make it back on road. In my discussion with UBS, he admitted that the original engine is destroyed. He said it would be a pain to only find parts, let alone engine. The condition of the body is horrible too. Ultimately, I think the hassle and cost will be only worth it if UBS is THAT interested in seeing it back on the road!

[susan3004]

Originally Posted by predatorwheelz

Yes Harit, the Tata 407 4X4 did come out, only for military applications. Here's a pic taken from another thread. As far as the authenticity of the story (using a Unimog to make a 407 4X4) is concerned, I have no proof of this myself. The thing is (I dont need to tell you this), when documenting any vintage car's history, you have to rely a lot on what the current owner tells you. And UBS is a lot more believable than a lot of other pseudo-enthusiasts I've met in Kolkata!

I too dont think the Unimog will ever make it back on road. In my discussion with UBS, he admitted that the original engine is destroyed. He said it would be a pain to only find parts, let alone engine. The condition of the body is horrible too. Ultimately, I think the hassle and cost will be only worth it if UBS is THAT interested in seeing it back on the road!

Just one small bit from my side.
We can see that TATA 407 does have a 4x4 version(which is still available to this day) however, it never came to the army. This truck was extensively used by the BSF and other paramilitary forces. It has modification on its body to accomodate bullet proofing etc as per requirement.
Army has been using TATA713 which has bigger wheels and engine than a 407.

[predatorwheelz]

Originally Posted by susan3004

We can see that TATA 407 does have a 4x4 version(which is still available to this day) however, it never came to the army. This truck was extensively used by the BSF and other paramilitary forces. It has modification on its body to accomodate bullet proofing etc as per requirement.
Army has been using TATA713 which has bigger wheels and engine than a 407.

Could you share the source of this information with us? I'm no expert on the Indian Army, but I picked up this info from other threads on the 4X4 section (as well as verified from Bharat Rakshak - which caters only to the army and not the paramilitary forces). I also remember seeing a few Army 407 4X4s in the Fort William area, but who knows? Would be happy to be proved wrong.

The Tata 713 is an altogether different machine, and I'm aware of its technical specifications. Lets not confuse it with this discussion.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by predatorwheelz

Could you share the source of this information with us? I'm no expert on the Indian Army, but I picked up this info from other threads on the 4X4 section (as well as verified from Bharat Rakshak

In case of Susan, he is the source, he is a major in Indian army.

[predatorwheelz]

Originally Posted by Samurai

In case of Susan, he is the source, he is a major in Indian army.

In that case, I, UBS, Bharat Rakshak (Bharat Rakshak :: Land Forces Site - Tata 407 (4x4)) and Parm (the originator of this thread - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...dian-army.html) all stand corrected. As I have already clarified, I'm no expert on the Army. Would have been happy to stand corrected, and I am.

Welcome Major. Perhaps you could share a few details on vehicles you guys use everyday in Parm's thread?

[Samurai]

Major Saab has regularly posted about Army vehicles before, inculding the ones he used in UN missions in different parts of the world. Check his earlier posts/threads.

[susan3004]

@Samurai. Thanks.
@Predatorwheelz. Thanks for the warm welcome. I have already been around, though, with a lesser intensity of posts!
The 407s in Fort Williams are purely for administration purposes(Military Engineering Services and Military Farms may use these). The vehicles had earlier not qualified the test for induction into fight and support arms.
Army wanted a replacement for the 1Ton, which was not derived out of the 407. Probably that is the reason it could not find its' place in the stable. TATA713 was considered an apt fit(maybe better) and hence the continuation even being a 2.5Ton.
The very basic modern generation vehicles being used in army these days are:-
Bicycles
Motorcycles(predominantly Enfield 350. CD 100s were inducted earlier now being phased out)
M&M550/MG413
TATA713
ALS
Other vehicles found with army are specialist/for administrative pourposes.

[renegade]

Originally Posted by susan3004

@Samurai. Thanks.
@Predatorwheelz. Thanks for the warm welcome. I have already been around, though, with a lesser intensity of posts!
The 407s in Fort Williams are purely for administration purposes(Military Engineering Services and Military Farms may use these). The vehicles had earlier not qualified the test for induction into fight and support arms.
Army wanted a replacement for the 1Ton, which was not derived out of the 407. Probably that is the reason it could not find its' place in the stable. TATA713 was considered an apt fit(maybe better) and hence the continuation even being a 2.5Ton.
The very basic modern generation vehicles being used in army these days are:-
Bicycles
Motorcycles(predominantly Enfield 350. CD 100s were inducted earlier now being phased out)
M&M550/MG413
TATA713
ALS
Other vehicles found with army are specialist/for administrative pourposes.

very informative sir,i happen to take a spin on stallion 4x4 in hisar, it was amazing experience and what a vehicle.i simply adore it.it was nice meeting you today.

ciao

mandeep

[4x4 loaded]

Hello guys,

We are forgetting something that this thread was not meant for the kind of discussions we are doing.Please start a new thread for the same.

Regards...Saikat

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by susan3004

@Samurai. Thanks.
@Predatorwheelz. Thanks for the warm welcome. I have already been around, though, with a lesser intensity of posts!

Other vehicles found with army are specialist/for administrative pourposes.

thats quite a lot of information. Thanks for the enlightenment.