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-   -   How I met my President! | 1974 Premier President (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-war/255936-how-i-met-my-president-1974-premier-president.html)

Throwback to a Sunday in April, around 7 in the morning, I get a call from one of my contacts in the local scrapyard known to all as Mullickbazar. Still sleepy I contemplated whether to answer the phone or not and thankfully I did. The person on the other end asks me, " Ektho Fiat aya hai lijiyega? Paper sab chalu hai ", ask him to send me the photos.

On receiving the photos first thing I notice is a new series number plate, a instant turn off thinking it to be a newer model Padmini. However, I start to closely inspect the photos, had only received a back view and a shot of the interior from drivers door, and I notice the meter to be of white dial and the horn button similar to that of President. A bit more closer look and I saw that the badging whatever was visible from being left uncovered by the number plate seemed to read as president and also the body beading seemed to be of President.

Told the person I am coming in an hour to see the car, made a quick call to my friend Deepanjan Sarkar, yes the famous photographer amongst the vintage circle in Kolkata notifying him about the car , and asking him to come over to see it and went off to see the car. The car had been parked under a Bogunvelia, unfortunately wasn't blooming much else it would have made a great picture. Inspected the car and found it to be very clean and very original, sent pictures to Karl who confirmed that this car is very original. The deal was closed and it came home that day with me. clap:

A month later managed to meet the owners family, they were quite happy to see that the car has survived and not been junked and filled us in about some history of the President in their ownership, it was bought in Agra and it had travelled cross country to Mumbai, Shilong and lastly settled down at Kolkata.

The owner is 98 years young but not able to move on his own, managed to meet him and on being explained I bought the car he was pleased. Later on his grandson who we had exchanged numbers with sent us the original allocation letter of the car which was thankfully preserved. A quick photo was taken also with the owner!
The car was purchased in Agra and delivered by " Ramchandra Brijnandan ", the erstwhile dealer there and was custom ordered in a shade of crimson which the car still sports now.

The owner was in the Armies Medical Battalion, so very likely the car was allotted to him in Army Quota.

Fast forward to 20th August I received a message from the owners family that they have found some old photographs of the car from their family album and one of them shows the original registration number. :Cheering:

Photos are taken in a hill station might even be somewhere in the ghats as the owners family can recall the car went to Mumbai from Mathura in the 80s.

And some more shots of the car taken by Deepanjan Sarkar.

You're so lucky mate. She is gorgeous! Truly a keeper!

That car was born in the 1974 and I am impressed with the fact that even the original papers were preserved very meticulously for such a long time. Even so many BHPians were not born back then.

What’s your trigger for your feelings for maintaining such old cars? It’s no small commitment.

I am quite curious to know your reaction and plans for this car keeping in view the recent NGT ruling in the state?

Wishing you pleasant times ahead with this car.

Congrats, @BabyHindustan on the President. Hats off to the family who have preserved it all these years. I guess the pics were shot by Shri Deepanjan ? :)

The car is now 48 years old, 2 short of getting Vintage status. That ban looks to be for Kolkata area, so there is a chance if the car is transferred out of the city or may be another state for the interim. Would hate to see this beauty meeting a cruel fate at the hands of the NGT rules.

clap:
By jove! What a catch. Congratulations. And so well preserved too. I'm drooling. That maroon colour was rare. My knowledge is incomplete, experts can correct it - that colour was used on the President and then 15 to 18 years later on the floor shift Padmini. One of my two Padmini's (both floor shift) was this maroon colour. I was very proud of it. I cannot wait to continue reading this thread as you pen the story of the restoration. Best of luck.

Just look at the side profile of the car - classic lines. The President/Padmini's Italian looks are timeless.
Except some....:D

Count me in ;)

Gosh what a trip back in time. Very very nostalgic for a person who a 3rd standard school boy in that year.

There are things about the 1970s and 80s that I really miss. Especially the iconic cars, bikes and the music of course.

Thank you for sharing clap:

The car is mostly original, and mechanically fine too except it needs a new clutch and a leaky wheel cylinder. And two minor spots of rust which needs attention.

Wow, that's a great looking car!

Just whitewall the rear tyres and get hubcaps for all four and you're good to go!

Also, the location where you've done that photoshoot is just :thumbs up

Oh my, what a beauty she is! :loveit

A strange coincidence - just a few days ago, I randomly came across Deepanjan's Instagram account and started following it and photos of this car were the biggest reason for me following him. And now, this lands up right in TeamBHP, where I can follow it better without getting mixed up in million other distractions which are there on social media! :Cheering:

Regards,
Jaspreet Singh

Beautiful Car and and Amazing Pics. The background has definitely added to the charm.
Am I reading it right. Out of the total on road cost of Rs 26290, registration and taxes were only 130!!

Regards

Premier Padmini isn't just a car, but a time machine which instantly transports us back to our childhood.
Congratulations!! You've managed to find a near perfect specimen.
The car in crimson and the pictures are gorgeous.

Have sourced the missing hub cap now. I am not too keen on using the whitewall inserts as quality of those aren't much good. Front ones are original white walls.
Credit goes out to Deepanjan Sarkar , on insta as deesarcar for the photographs.