It's been a good year with regards to restoration projects, and here are my experiences with restoration on a 1963 Fiat 1100 Super Select.
A short timeline on models offered - after the initial Millecento (in 1953/54?) came the facelifted Elegant (1956/57), a heavier facelift in the form of the Select (1958/62, early models also called the Millecento) and finally a light upgrade in the Super Select from 1962/64.
Changes for the Super Select included a new front grille, quarter windows for the front doors, new side and bonnet trims, deleted roof trims, concealed boot hinges, a concealed petrol flap (though perhaps some earlier models had this too) and reflectors on the taillights. On the inside I think an under dash shelf was new - I can't think of much else. Some models featured the side indicator mounted higher, cutting into the side trim on the fender, like the 1100 Export. What made this car different from the 1100 Export was the continued use of the one piece bench front seat (the Export got a split folding one), and older bumper and hubcap designs.
The car was soon replaced by the all new Delight.
Here is an owners manual cover - luckily I have a copy.
Note the car illustration shows the side indicator cut into the trim - like the export models, though very few of them were sold this way in India.
Incidentally our late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri also owned a Super Select, bought on loan, and after his demise the family continued to clear the payments. Can't think of that happening today can we. The car is preserved and on display at the Shastri memorial in Delhi. Pictures courtesy Prabal.
Now to the car in question. Its pretty special to me.
Many years back I had spotted this light grey ( a typical period colour) 1963 Super Select close to home, with the driver waiting outside a shop for
memsaab. It was a sight to see - completely original and very well maintained. I distinctly remember seeing the original keys hanging from the ignition. On further snooping I was told the car belonged to Inspector E S Modak - an extremely decorated Police officer. Apparently a keen writer too - here is a little about him that I found regarding books he wrote
http://www.lppindia.com/servlet/lppgetbiblio?bno=000372 Quote:
Modak was recruited to the Indian police in 1941 as Assistant Superintendent. After his training, he was posted as ASP to the district of Satara in Bombay Province. At that time, Satara was in the grip of the underground movement against the British, which the saboteurs called 'the Patri Sarkar', the Government of the Bastinado. For his work there, Modak was awarded the Indian Police Medal for moritorious service. He is till today, the youngest officers in the Indian Police to have got this award. He was also awarded the Police Medal and the Presidents' Police Medal for distinguished service.
Modak served in several districts as Superintendent of police, and as deputy inspector general. he was director of the anti-corruption bureau, the first commissioner of police of Poona, commissioner of police of Bombay, Inspector General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir (on deputation), and Inspector General of Police of Maharashtra.
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Sometime later as the Fiat Club movement started, I knocked on his door to invite him to attend an event. It was an honour to have his wife and him (a most charming couple) join us on a couple of occassions. He purchased the car brand new, and told me he saw his car being built on the line at Kurla, and noticed the engine in a crate with Italian lettering. He used the car extensively, taking it with him to all postings across India including Kashmir, where he proudly mentioned the tough passes proved no problem for his trusted Fiat.
Here is a photo of Mrs. Modak attending our Republic Day celebrations in 2006.
Sadly both of them passed away a few years later, and I had always wondered what became of the car. Luckily enough last December his son contacted us when wanting to dispose of the car. Of course it was a no-brainer, I didn't even take a test drive, and bought the car on the 6th of December last year. Here are some photos.
Driving home. Note the flag post on the bonnet.
The car was in great overall condition, very original with almost no alterations. Rust had begun to set in, and so copious amounts of Rustoleum was applied to arrest it, hence you can see 50 shades of grey
Luckily the rust was limited to the usual problems - door bottoms and running boards, and a little bit of the front floor. Most else was still original sheetmetal. A couple of knobs were missing, but all other original bits were in place, including an unused spare key! I would have thought that all Super Selects would be fitted with aluminium tail and number plate lights, though my car had Altissimmo Italian chromed units. I have seen 2 other cars with them, possibly a few were fitted with them or they were retrofitted in period when these items were available.
Original Marelli coil (probably will switch to Lucas though - and figure out how to disguise it!).
Original brake fluid container
Original courtesy lights in the engine bay
Samples of original paint under the dash
Original dealer plate, I assume Bombay Cycle
Everything working, so I assume mileage is 1,33,000 kms, which seems plausible.
Super rare driver's door lock in aluminium. Big relief here.
Covers fitted to seats since new, wonder what the condition of the seats underneath are.
The car drove very well, having benefited from a recent service, and I remember collecting the car on Saturday evening, and leaving for Bombay the next morning for a Fiat Club meet - after having driven the car not more than 2 kms
The drive was perfect, the car running super - no heating issues, good brakes, great power and all gauges were working. The plan was not to start restoration soon, but since the car was so good, we decided to start work soon enough. The job is entrusted to Kaizad at Niki Garage, who did a super job on my Herald previously. I thought of perhaps just patching up the rusty bits and touching up the paint, or perhaps an overcoat, but eventually we decided to do a complete strip down.
13th March 2015
The teardown begins. We found so many traces of originality, like original upholstery samples, and the original clips for the trim that are riveted (later cars had wire clips).
17th March 2015
The body is in greatshape, with all glass frames and other vital parts being completely free of rust.
Removed the steering wheel first things first, to avoid damage while work commences.
Original foot rest for the rear floor - often deleted over the years.
24th March 2015
The car is slowly scraped down to bare metal.
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