Very interesting and nostalgic thread. I have quite a love-hate relationship with this car, and would've loved to write a tribute to it myself. Wonder how I missed this earlier!
Since most of the technical details have been put down already, I'll just put down 3 separate chronicles of my interactions with India's own Renault Espace:
Baby mobile - In 1985, my Dad's close friend bought a high roof, tomato red Maruti Van. It didn't have AC, no stereo, no modern accouterments. The 2 families used to go out together often, and the car became our reliable steed for all these outings.
Both the uncle's daughter and I were 4 years old at that time. In hindsight, it was funny to be reminded of the seating arrangement. The Dads would sit in front, with all the authority of a zamindar on a visit to his property. The mothers would occupy the middle row, which (more so in the absence of a stereo) would be the noisiest zone inside the car
. The kids (and this is most interesting) would be seated in the loading bay, on 2 cane stools the uncle had specially bought for this purpose! Yes, in 1985, this was the concept of child safety seats! we'd merrily perch ourselves on those small stools and peer out of the windows to see the scenery flash by.
Once, and this is even more startling, the dad's allowed us our personal grand view. It was Durga Puja time in Kolkata. The dads lifted up the rear door and allowed us to sit on the rear sill, legs hanging out, while the car was driven very slowly (in peak Puja traffic, thats the only way you can drive) around town.
That particular car stayed with uncle for around 9 years, and was replaced by another Omni - this time a dark blue, low roof, AC version. Now the man owns a Chevrolet UV-A, but still misses his days of van ownership.
Flip-Kart - The stretch between Karunamoyee (in Salt Lake) and Park Circus is one of the most populated (by office commuters) yet has the least bus service. Private shuttle taxi operators have flourished here. Mostly old Omnis, converted to LPG, ferrying 8 passengers with least thought given to vehicle safety and speed.
This story dates back to 1999, when the shuttle service had just started. I was going to meet a girl for a movie date
. I get into a packed Omni, am made to sit at the right window of the middle row. The car is cruising on Eastern Byepass, and the driver is merrily chatting with a passenger on the front seat. I see an Ambassador trying to overtake the Omni from the right, driving precariously close to the Omni. At the same time, the Omni driver, without looking, steers to the right!
Mayhem follows. The sides of the van and the amby collide. In a flash, the van swivels around 90 degrees, facing the Amby like a "T". At that speed, there was no way the Amby can brake. It rams into the right door of the van, overturning it. Then the van starts getting pushed to the edge of the road. I still recollect the horror, and the screeching sound as I lie upside down and try to realize where the car is going!
Miraculously, while some of the occupants were hurt pretty bad, I escaped without ANY injuries - just a sprained back. When the car stopped, I was the first person to get out, pulling away the sliding door which was now on top of me and hauling myself out. I also helped the bystanders as they extricated the remaining passengers trapped inside the van.
That incident was like a first hand training in the dangers the Omni's high center of gravity promise. Since then, I've always been wary of taking a ride in Omnis. When I'm on a trip and our family needs a tourist taxi, I insist on not taking an Omni, even if the consequent Sumo/Indica warrants higher rates.
Van-Baba - My wife's Tauji is a Maruti van baba to say the least. He's owned no other cars, only Maruti Vans in his life. All his cars (except one) have been bought from the showroom. They've never seen the inside of a MASS, only the garage of his most trusted mechanic. Each car has been owned for atleast 5 years, and driven more than 1 lakh kms before selling.
I asked him why the craze for Vans? His answer was - He's so used to driving vans and looking out on to the road from that driving position, now he can't drive any car which has any sort of frontage! Moreover, the vans help him carry his goods (he has a business of electrical goods) from workshop to store, and its the only load hauler which does not to be registered as a commercial vehicle!
So how have I helped this man evolve in his life? After 2 years of persuasion, he's agreed to come with me and take a test drive of a Maruti Eeco! Watch this space.