my kingdom for an old beauty

raikkonen326 · 14th September 2007, 17:10

h'llo everyone
Im a 22 year old electronics engineer from delhi and drive a 2000 Hyundai santro . Its my first car and my dad bought it for me when i got my license so i love it dearly. The absence of power steering can however be a pain sometimes.
I came to know about team BHP while googling stuff. I was pleasntly surprised to find that everyone who was posting seemed to be a genuine 'petrolhead'.
Ive been an automobile enthusiast for as long as i can remember and want to ultimately pursue a career which includes cars and travelling. Still figuring out how to go about it though.
Lately i have been obsessed with buying and restoring an old or vintage car. I had initially hoped to get a 60's beetle but i have realised it will not be easy finding one. Even if i do find one it is going to be frikkin expensive restoring it considering that spares were never manufactured in India and ill have to import them. The cost involved for a struggling engineer is just going to be prohibitively large.
What i have come up with is buying a 50s or 60s fiat 'millicento' (the predecessor to the once ubiquitous premier padmini. What i am presuming is the spares of the premier padmini will be by and large compatible with it. is this correct? One other area of concern for me is the emission norms in delhi. Can i buy and register a 50s or 60s car considering they will not be even close to fulfilling todays norms. or are really old cars exempt from them?
What do you think will be the total cost incurred to buy and restore one of these beuties? can anyone suggest a good place to start scouting for them in Delhi?

GTO · 14th September 2007, 17:46

Welcome aboard! I think you should bookmark this section...it will be of particular interest to you.

Please do also read the board rules to familiarise yourself with our forum protocol. See ya around.

planet_rocker · 14th September 2007, 18:34

welcome raikonnen! enjoy your stay here.

i am sure the following sections will be of much interest to you.

1. A Restoration Project

2. Few Restored Padminis in NCR

3. Modded Padminis

4. Tips by Mr. Dhabhar

have a great time going through these

raikkonen326 · 15th September 2007, 13:05

thanks guys
am beginning to enjoy myself already

faithless_1984 · 15th September 2007, 15:55

Welcome aboard raikkonen.!

Have a pleasant stay here.

karlosdeville · 17th September 2007, 00:36

Howdy, welcome aboard. You'll find everything you asked for and much more on the links above. Take your time going through the entire section, it carries a treasure trove of information. Starting out with an old Fiat is the smart way to go, and do keep us posted on your developments. Make sure you go through the announcement section and rules as well.

Happy motoring.
Cheers
Karl

14th September 2007, 17:10	#1
raikkonen326 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 0 Thanked: 0 Times	my kingdom for an old beauty h'llo everyone Im a 22 year old electronics engineer from delhi and drive a 2000 Hyundai santro . Its my first car and my dad bought it for me when i got my license so i love it dearly. The absence of power steering can however be a pain sometimes. I came to know about team BHP while googling stuff. I was pleasntly surprised to find that everyone who was posting seemed to be a genuine 'petrolhead'. Ive been an automobile enthusiast for as long as i can remember and want to ultimately pursue a career which includes cars and travelling. Still figuring out how to go about it though. Lately i have been obsessed with buying and restoring an old or vintage car. I had initially hoped to get a 60's beetle but i have realised it will not be easy finding one. Even if i do find one it is going to be frikkin expensive restoring it considering that spares were never manufactured in India and ill have to import them. The cost involved for a struggling engineer is just going to be prohibitively large. What i have come up with is buying a 50s or 60s fiat 'millicento' (the predecessor to the once ubiquitous premier padmini. What i am presuming is the spares of the premier padmini will be by and large compatible with it. is this correct? One other area of concern for me is the emission norms in delhi. Can i buy and register a 50s or 60s car considering they will not be even close to fulfilling todays norms. or are really old cars exempt from them? What do you think will be the total cost incurred to buy and restore one of these beuties? can anyone suggest a good place to start scouting for them in Delhi?
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 17:46	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,737 Times View My Garage	Welcome aboard! I think you should bookmark this section...it will be of particular interest to you. Please do also read the board rules to familiarise yourself with our forum protocol. See ya around.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 18:34	#3
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	welcome raikonnen! enjoy your stay here. i am sure the following sections will be of much interest to you. 1. A Restoration Project 2. Few Restored Padminis in NCR 3. Modded Padminis 4. Tips by Mr. Dhabhar have a great time going through these Last edited by planet_rocker : 14th September 2007 at 18:38.
	() Thanks

15th September 2007, 13:05	#4
raikkonen326 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 0 Thanked: 0 Times	thanks guys am beginning to enjoy myself already
	() Thanks

15th September 2007, 15:55	#5
faithless_1984 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,575 Thanked: 324 Times View My Garage	Welcome aboard raikkonen.! Have a pleasant stay here.
	() Thanks

17th September 2007, 00:36	#6
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 11,976 Thanked: 18,277 Times View My Garage	Howdy, welcome aboard. You'll find everything you asked for and much more on the links above. Take your time going through the entire section, it carries a treasure trove of information. Starting out with an old Fiat is the smart way to go, and do keep us posted on your developments. Make sure you go through the announcement section and rules as well. Happy motoring. Cheers Karl
	() Thanks