[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Its coming along nicely.

Are you planning to renew the registration of the car or planning on keeping it as a "period exhibit" ?

Pardon my question - but your efforts to get "period number plate" prompted it. I had gotten a typical "Calcutta plate" done for my Amby in 1982, which quickly became redundant in one of the "drives" by Kerala Police to get people write the numbers as prescribed in the India MVA then.

I don't think the plate in question is compliant ?

Best Regards & Drive Safe

Ram

The plate is only for my mental satisfaction and photoshoot , a compliant plate will be fitted once the car is ready for regular use.

[adrian]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Pardon my question - but your efforts to get "period number plate" prompted it. I had gotten a typical "Calcutta plate" done for my Amby in 1982, which quickly became redundant in one of the "drives" by Kerala Police to get people write the numbers as prescribed in the India MVA then.

I don't think the plate in question is compliant ?

Best Regards & Drive Safe

Ram

I have the same number plate in my Mark 4 and was once warned by Police on the non admissibility and I still have the same in the Amby. Don't have an attitude to break the rules, but I think that the punched number plates are better than painted ones in what ever context.

[TractionAvant]

Wow Karl, what a magnificent effort! I have dropped in here after what seems like ages and this thread has made my day. You have, more or less, fabricated a brand new vanguard body shell :-)

Kind regards

Aditya

[KartikeyaL]

Just saw this on facebook , what a great restoration , waiting for more pictures.

[ritayan]

Some more pictures from today's rally posted by Aniket .

Well done Karl and Shrivardhan

[Bulldogji]

Karl and Shrivardhan both are to be complemented for a job well done, without being over the top .

Hope to see this latest restored beauty in the Bombay rally

[karlosdeville]

At last the car is completed. Last Saturday I finally saw the car for the first time since we picked her up. I am thrilled with the overall result, and she is a treat to drive. The car was ready just in time for the 2017 Statesman rally in Calcutta, so we took the chance to enter the event. Here are some pictures at the Fort William grounds where the event is held each year.






I'm pleased with the final colour - it is understated but I think suits the car well.


It seems we have got the dash colour right, a couple of others confirmed the combination.


Both ash trays were made new, and left buff though they should be the same grey as the dash.


The roof light lens was also locally cast and looks great.




The interiors are very neatly stitched with great care to details, though I'm still unsure of the loud red colour - hopefully it will dull down with time.




The driver's console looks great and fresh, helped by new ancillary gauges, though the speedo face is a little tired after cleaning up.


The boot area was finished with some black panels added to neaten appearance


I was happy to see all the glasses are original and in great shape, barring the wiper marks on the front windshield. The window rubbers were locally made which is a great effort, since they hold trim as well.




The engine bay gleams for now, hope I can keep it that way. Need to add a set of period horns as well.




Scored a couple of instruction manuals for the car on eBay, as well as a parts catalogue and the workshop manual, which proved very helpful during the restoration.

Calcutta RTO now insists on fitting modern high security plates with anti-theft rivets - so good bye to my beautiful period plates and hello to these modern ones - not even spaced correctly :(






Another security measure added to all cars now in Calcutta. Luckily not too obtrusive.

Just before leaving Calcutta I drove down to the original owner's house to try and meet him - what a lovely house, in a matching colour Unfortunately he wasn't at home at the time and I had to leave, though his manager who has been driving the car since 1967 was very very happy to see the car in this state.




I guess all's well that ends well!

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

Karl and Shrivardhan both are to be complemented for a job well done, without being over the top .

Hope to see this latest restored beauty in the Bombay rally

Thanks very much. I was in a dilemma of fitting a set of whitewall tyres - though luckily the cost is prohibitive so problem solved. And yes, she should reach Bombay in time for the rally.

[KartikeyaL]

Congratulations Karl on a great restoration and even a better thread

Looking forward to your next project/s !

[V.Narayan]

Beautiful. What a loving and dedicated restoration job and all in less than 5 months. I am amazed at the energy and eye for detail exhibited by you and your team.

[Ford 1946]

Fantastic job Karl, congratulations!!!

[ariesonu]

What a beautiful & fantastic job. The credit goes not only to Karl but also to the guys who have worked meticulously to make this car, what it is today.
I believe no other car would be able to hold this color combination so well. Red upholstery is blending so easily with soft grey dash & door panels.
I think you should try to get some clip thing manufactured so that you can clip those period plates for drives & rally's.
Another nice touch would be paint/vinyl the upper section of headlight in black, as was the norm in the days of this car.
Though you will not agree but white inserts should the job very well. Why leave that last mile, when an easier option is available.
Once again, excellent resto bro.

Regards-Sonu

[KPS]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

. The car was ready just in time for the 2017 Statesman rally in Calcutta, so we took the chance to enter the event. Here are some pictures at the Fort William grounds where the event is held each year.

Wonderful way to make a statement at The Statesman. Congratulation on winning the prize for the best restored car. Great job by Shrivardhan

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Just before leaving Calcutta I drove down to the original owner's house to try and meet him - what a lovely house, in a matching colour Unfortunately he wasn't at home at the time and I had to leave, though his manager who has been driving the car since 1967 was very very happy to see the car in this state.

What a wonderful touch Karl. Unfortunate that the previous owner could not get to see the restored car. No doubt he would have been very happy with the final outcome. He would have no choice but to agree that justice has been done to the car in every way, including a fantastic new owner !

Well done Karl. Keep up the wonderful work

Cheers

KPS

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Beautiful. What a loving and dedicated restoration job and all in less than 5 months. I am amazed at the energy and eye for detail exhibited by you and your team.

Thanks, though we started work in September 2015, so almost a year and a half. Full credit to Shrivardhan and team, I saw the car only after it was completed!

Originally Posted by ariesonu

Though you will not agree but white inserts should the job very well. Why leave that last mile, when an easier option is available.

I'm not a fan of whitewall inserts, they tend to fray after a while with use and look horrible. The Indian ones seem to be longer lasting / thicker, but the colour is too stark for my liking.

[the mole]

A great job by owner and restorer! Speaking of makers mark on the glass I recall I had the same mark on my Rover Glasses, I think its Pilkington!

I would be curious to know what a Standard Vanguard cost in 1958 versus a Fiat or Amby of the same era. Such a modern looking car compared to the other options available in India.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by the mole

I would be curious to know what a Standard Vanguard cost in 1958 versus a Fiat or Amby of the same era. Such a modern looking car compared to the other options available in India.

Most prices are mentioned here, though dated 1950.