Quote:
Originally Posted by autobahner We owned to two 2nd hand PPs, the first one being a 1964 make in popti green and the other a decent sky blue 1975 model. |
Sorry for the late reply to this post, but just came across this thread. Anyways, just wish to point out that there never was a PP (Premier Padmini) in 1964- it was then known as FIAT 1100 DELIGHT, it had just come out that year. And it remained in production with that name, with minor changes, until 1972. Then in 1973, the name was first changed to PREMIER PRESIDENT, the first 'indianised' version of Fiat, then a year later to PADMINI. So your 1975 car may have indeed been a PP.
Anyways, glad that Behram had started this thread- makes for very interesting reading indeed to rear about different people's experiences with PAL Fiats, notwithstanding the shortcomings of the co./dealerships.
Regrettably, I have not much to contribute here from the old days as we (my father) never owned a Fiat even though he certainly was fond of them! Firstly, he couldnt afford them atleast initially. Secondly, he didnt really approve of the steering gear, citing some medical reasons (he was basically a doc) related to shoulder pain etc.! IMHO, had he actually ever driven a Fiat, he might've found it otherwise.
I remember him telling me of a time around the 70s when the Fiat/PP of the time was known as "ladies fiat" for some reason! But none else I asked seems to remember this! Maybe Behram sir could clarify?
As a kid, I always hoped that when/if we changed our car (we had a 1974 Standard Gazel for years back then), we'd go for a fiat only. Incidentally, I remember I was familiar only with the Padmini then, not with the names of the older versions like the 1100 delight, President etc. although I certainly wouldve seen them too! Its another story how I got to know the name '1100 D!'
Anyways, at one point, back in 1994, my dad surprisingly did agree to buy a PP. I was in 8th standard then, and there was this 1990 model PP in "railway blue" (as I call it!- M800s and Vans of late '80s too came in this colour)...'think it was a Deluxe BE, I remember it did have an AC though! 'twas owned by our family friends here, who were also ex-colleagues of my parents, and I remember having had a ride in this car when it was brand new in 1990! I remember noticing for the first time the lack of front quarterglasses! I did like it, although not much the colour. That couple were retiring from service here but were migrating to the US thereafter. At the time, my dad was contemplating buying a newer, reliable car to replace our 1974 Standard Gazel. I insisted on fiat as I hated (and still do hate) the 'new' M800, which was the main new car available then.
So those ppl. initially agreed to sell their PP to us, but only when they were finally leaving from here as they needed the car until then.
However, my mom and I used to visit them at their quarters in between and one fine day, the lady gave us the disappointing news that they couldnt sell their car to us as her brother, who'd just retired from the Army had just moved to Hyd. then and he didnt have a car at the time, so I guess 'sisterly love' (or money!) prevailed then and she promised him the car instead!
I remember being very upset at the news back then! My dad could've found a good 2nd hand Fiat/PP easily back then. But he had a theory never to buy a 2nd hand car from anyone other than those known to him. Else go for a brand new car. And he finally went in.......for a brand new M800!! Much to my disliking!
To this day, I wonder why/how then, he couldnt have as well gone for a brand new PP!! In any case, he bought the 800 on a car loan!
And the floor-gear S1 was introduced just the following year (1995) so even if he didnt have a floor-gear Fiat yet, he couldve had it converted a year later!
After I grew into an adult, I myself did go through quite a few fiats though, between 2006 and '08- all 1100s except for one, a white 1989 Padmini 'Standard' model (I think- it had reverse lights but no "DELUXE BE" etc. badges), which incidentally wasnt mine but a neighbour's! Although I had recommended this car to him. He never really used the car so let me use it instead, and use it I did- extensively! for nearly 6 months. He finally took it back one day and eventually sold it to a dealer. It was a good car, ran very smooth and seldom gave trouble. Interior also was very comfy and neat, with the original tan/black upholstery intact under faded tie-on cloth covers (which I took off and later used as mopping rags!)
But I did notice that bodily/cosmetically this model was quite different in standards, being a bit lower in quality than the older fiats/PPs I'd known. Being a classic car guy, this was my first experience with a fiat that had 'non-classic' fittings, viz. the black-face meter console with green needles and markings, plastic steering wheel with 3-4 spokes, etc. And never had any dealership-related experience as the cars having gone obsolete by this time, there never were any original dealers to take it to! Hehe!
I also do remember feeling sad about PAL shutting down operations around a decade ago ('99), only because I heard stories of how people were then going to dump fiats as they had no more chance of OE spares, and that the govt. was planning to scrap the PP taxis in B'bay. Speaking of which- I always wanted to have a ride in one of those...but so far hardly been on any trips to B'bay in the recent past. I did get to ride in an old PP taxi once during a visit to Madras though, back in 1993. This I made my father agree to by fighting tooth & nail with him on the spot (he had first intended to take an Amby taxi!) outside the hotel where we stayed! That PP was the only Fiat taxi at that stand and, much to the driver's delight, we ended up hiring it for the rest of the day as we went around visiting relatives etc.
All in all, I've had a brief but likeable experience with PAL fiats, although my only regret is that we didnt have them in our family when I was growing up, especially that '90 model we missed buying in 1994, which made my father go for a M-------!! I might've had more to share otherwise.