My Left Hand Drive Fiat.

hillram · 21st November 2007, 09:26

Congrats Cyrus..Another Fiat to your collection.Are u setting some World Record here !!!

Stanher · 21st November 2007, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillram

Congrats Cyrus..Another Fiat to your collection.Are u setting some World Record here !!!

'wish I could set one such record like him!

Cyrus43 · 21st November 2007, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillram

Congrats Cyrus..Another Fiat to your collection.Are u setting some World Record here !!!

yep..10 fiats is the target.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

That ignition key position!! Horrible. When I had converted ours to the steering locking column, had to have this ignition as dummy. The dash center mounted ignition remained.

Any specific reason for choosing a LHD S1 Deluxe over the RHD one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Exclusivity ?

ummm..yea..isnt that obvious...

Technocrat · 21st November 2007, 12:01

But is it allowed to sell LHD vehicles in India ?? I dont think LHD version got homologated.

karlosdeville · 21st November 2007, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

That ignition key position!! Horrible. When I had converted ours to the steering locking column, had to have this ignition as dummy. The dash center mounted ignition remained.

Its such a terrible short sighted design. My car used to be fitted with a similar system, but the switch was coloumn mounted on the side like most modern cars. It was a genuine Fiat item, made in Spain. Most convienent. Unfortunately the switch failed and im told is irrepairable.

karlosdeville · 21st November 2007, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

But is it allowed to sell LHD vehicles in India ?? I dont think LHD version got homologated.

The car was not sold in India. It was made here, exported to Abu Dhabi and Egypt im told. This particular car was re-imported by the previous owner, and hence is exemt from homologation. Besides, its not brand new, and was imported in 98, well before the laws got confusing.

karlosdeville · 21st November 2007, 17:12

I must point out one quirk all earlier Fiat owners can sympathise with.

Most Indian assembled Fiats, probably right up till the S1, had the bonnet release lever under the left hand side of the dash, originally intended for Left hand drive cars. Quite inconvenient to use for a sole driver. In the S1 it was shifted to the right, close to the driver. Now this LHD car is an S1 too, so the release lever continues to be on the right, while the driver now sits on the left. Somethings never change...

planet_rocker · 21st November 2007, 22:47

my 1988 padmini has the bonnet release lever on the driver's side since day 1

(checked it with dad as well)

Stanher · 21st November 2007, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

my 1988 padmini has the bonnet release lever on the driver's side since day 1

(checked it with dad as well)

So does my friend's 1989 padmini....an these are definitely pre-S1.

Cyrus43 · 22nd November 2007, 00:14

the lever was switched from left hand side to right hand side in the mid 1970s

Cyrus43 · 22nd November 2007, 00:46

Behram here - OK guys - next steps (as usual, I think ahead).

1 - Get a Mumbai registration. The process is underway and any help is welcome. I can make the whole car but this area is not my forte. Mr.Kurian has very graciously agreed to give all help at his end, thanks Mr.Kurian.
2 - I am thinking of giving it the late 60s look. Long thin bumpers (with rear fender supports), long bumper guards, 1100D grille or chromodora italiana grille (just managed to get 2 good monograms of army and airforce vintage), super select type wheel rims, thin whitewall tyres, the original thin steering wheel, the round top and bottom covers of the delite combination switch, the 3 round meters etc etc
3 - Mechanically, the AC goes (in any case it is of no use in a 3 main bearing engine), the battery moves to the LH side and then I fit the 118NE derived but Padmini optimized Mikuni carburettor alongwith it's originally equipped idle compensator fitted air cleaner and dashpot controlled throttle. The intake manifold ? I designed it. I still have it. The accelerator ? cable operated optimized for Mikuni. The car already has a cable operating the solex now so 1/2 engineering is already in place. Then I swap the 3.9 axle ratio for the 4.3 axle ratio. The suspension and the brakes become new anyways. Even when we were driving down, I was effortlessly doing 120 on the solex. With the optimized Mikuni ----- hahaha. We will see what is power in a Padmini now. My aim is to get a silently cruising car but so fast as to be very difficult to catch.
3 - WHAT COLOUR ? The need is of a very subtle two-tone combination. I still prefer the upholstery to be black only. PLEASE SUGGEST AND LET"S DEBATE.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

karlosdeville · 22nd November 2007, 17:47

Sounds good. Are thin whitewalls available? I doubt it, if they are, do let me know.

I like the idea of the Swift grey and black top as you earlier suggested.

Full steam ahead!

Technocrat · 23rd November 2007, 13:03

Even My uncles 77 model Padmini(not sure But I think it was a president) & our 84 model Padmini Deluxe BE had the bonnet release lever on RHS.

canonball · 23rd November 2007, 17:37

Nice car must be one fast S1 they sound real great...but the old free flow were almost Ferrari like I have not seen a better sound on anything after observing cars all over th world.

I noticed the headlamps are different when Mr. Kurian had it and now. Are those crystal beams of a fiat type or meant for another car say Gypsy...etc. I am looking for good crystal lights fiat type (can accomodate the small holder) but shops keep showing the taxi variety the diamond pattern crystal which looks cheesy I liked the cyrtal pattern on your car as they look more high quality...please help.

planet_rocker · 23rd November 2007, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by canonball

I liked the cyrtal pattern on your car as they look more high quality...please help.

the clear lens type head lamp cluster from the Amby Grand is a direct fit in the Padminis/1100Ds.

21st November 2007, 09:26	#31
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	Congrats Cyrus..Another Fiat to your collection.Are u setting some World Record here !!!
	() Thanks

21st November 2007, 12:01	#34
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	But is it allowed to sell LHD vehicles in India ?? I dont think LHD version got homologated.
	() Thanks

21st November 2007, 17:12	#37
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 11,976 Thanked: 18,277 Times View My Garage	I must point out one quirk all earlier Fiat owners can sympathise with. Most Indian assembled Fiats, probably right up till the S1, had the bonnet release lever under the left hand side of the dash, originally intended for Left hand drive cars. Quite inconvenient to use for a sole driver. In the S1 it was shifted to the right, close to the driver. Now this LHD car is an S1 too, so the release lever continues to be on the right, while the driver now sits on the left. Somethings never change...
	() Thanks

21st November 2007, 22:47	#38
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	my 1988 padmini has the bonnet release lever on the driver's side since day 1 (checked it with dad as well) Last edited by planet_rocker : 21st November 2007 at 22:48.
	(1) Thanks

22nd November 2007, 00:14	#40
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 221 Times View My Garage	the lever was switched from left hand side to right hand side in the mid 1970s
	() Thanks

22nd November 2007, 00:46	#41
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 221 Times View My Garage	Behram here - OK guys - next steps (as usual, I think ahead). 1 - Get a Mumbai registration. The process is underway and any help is welcome. I can make the whole car but this area is not my forte. Mr.Kurian has very graciously agreed to give all help at his end, thanks Mr.Kurian. 2 - I am thinking of giving it the late 60s look. Long thin bumpers (with rear fender supports), long bumper guards, 1100D grille or chromodora italiana grille (just managed to get 2 good monograms of army and airforce vintage), super select type wheel rims, thin whitewall tyres, the original thin steering wheel, the round top and bottom covers of the delite combination switch, the 3 round meters etc etc 3 - Mechanically, the AC goes (in any case it is of no use in a 3 main bearing engine), the battery moves to the LH side and then I fit the 118NE derived but Padmini optimized Mikuni carburettor alongwith it's originally equipped idle compensator fitted air cleaner and dashpot controlled throttle. The intake manifold ? I designed it. I still have it. The accelerator ? cable operated optimized for Mikuni. The car already has a cable operating the solex now so 1/2 engineering is already in place. Then I swap the 3.9 axle ratio for the 4.3 axle ratio. The suspension and the brakes become new anyways. Even when we were driving down, I was effortlessly doing 120 on the solex. With the optimized Mikuni ----- hahaha. We will see what is power in a Padmini now. My aim is to get a silently cruising car but so fast as to be very difficult to catch. 3 - WHAT COLOUR ? The need is of a very subtle two-tone combination. I still prefer the upholstery to be black only. PLEASE SUGGEST AND LET"S DEBATE. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar
	() Thanks

22nd November 2007, 17:47	#42
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 11,976 Thanked: 18,277 Times View My Garage	Sounds good. Are thin whitewalls available? I doubt it, if they are, do let me know. I like the idea of the Swift grey and black top as you earlier suggested. Full steam ahead!
	() Thanks

23rd November 2007, 13:03	#43
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Even My uncles 77 model Padmini(not sure But I think it was a president) & our 84 model Padmini Deluxe BE had the bonnet release lever on RHS.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2007, 17:37	#44
canonball Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,466 Thanked: 205 Times View My Garage	LHD Padmini Nice car must be one fast S1 they sound real great...but the old free flow were almost Ferrari like I have not seen a better sound on anything after observing cars all over th world. I noticed the headlamps are different when Mr. Kurian had it and now. Are those crystal beams of a fiat type or meant for another car say Gypsy...etc. I am looking for good crystal lights fiat type (can accomodate the small holder) but shops keep showing the taxi variety the diamond pattern crystal which looks cheesy I liked the cyrtal pattern on your car as they look more high quality...please help.
	() Thanks