[Latheesh]

We are looking for Padmini front grille. We could not find it on boodmo or partsbigboss, can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

[Thebugdoc]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

We are looking for Padmini front grille. We could not find it on boodmo or partsbigboss, can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Please try premier automobiles
Palarivattom ,ernakulam ,Kerala

[ajay99]

Originally Posted by Thebugdoc

Please try premier automobiles
Palarivattom ,ernakulam ,Kerala

The OE padmini grilles were made by SWEET TRADE (ST) and SUNAX. both these vendors stopped manufacturing the grilles long back.Some NOS grilles are still available in some old parts shops in Poona, Nasik etc(dont know if all of them has been sold). Delhi make repro grilles are available in the market.But i dont think premier automobiles in Cochin has it in stock.My friend had enquired about the OE grille there 2-3 years back

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by ilangop

Did cut a few grooves, though not expecting a miracle to happen as the rest of the mechanicals are 70000 kms old. The head will go into the car by this weekend.

Here is ann update after a long break. As the piston was work out, just a head job did not fix the smoke issue. Blowby was still there. I had to decide whether to go the DIY route or handover the rebuild to a mechanic.
Now that I have been working from home and the travel time to office is saved I could use this time to pull out the engine and get the job done. On a weekend my cousin turned up to help me with getting the engine out. Getting it out didnt need a crane. We first removed all parts like head, alternator, AC compressor, fuel pump the engine shed lot of weight. 3 people were required to get the engine out of the engine bay.
Again removed the head and this time gave the cylinder block alone to another guy. I had provided all the parts needed. A new 2nd over size piston & ring set along with 1st undersize crank bearings went in. Cam bushes were reused. The engine guy took 10 days to handover the finished engine.
Now I had to assemble the oil pump, timing chain kit head and other accessories into the block. Yet another weekend job it was.

[ilangop]

As finding parts for a PP is getting difficult, especially the cosmetic bits, having a cousin with some fabrication skills helps.
He prepared these reinforcement bits for the broken mounting area of the meter console. And riveted them to the console. Pictures attached.

[karlosdeville]

Here is a Premier Padmini taxi seen in the 1982 film 'Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon'



Sharing here since this seems to be the economy model, very rare to see an original one these days, most cars when overhauled get new fittings. Note the white grille and full rubber bumper guards.

[jayhind]

It is my last couple of weeks in the US (returning to the watan story preseted in my "Intro" already). I have loved and admired old American pickups, and wondered what it would be to have something similar in India. Here is what I have on my mind:

0. Get a 90's Padmini - perhaps a 137D (Hypothesis = Diesel may have better low-end "truck-ish" torque, Padmini's are going cheap, The body design features lots of straight lines and flat-tish panels that might make chopping and blending easier).
1. Seal the rear doors to the body.
2. Chop the roof just behind B-pillar. Chop the roof just in-front of C-pillar. Move C-pillar to B-pillar. Consequently, the front doors stay as-is, and rear window is now just a triangle (Hypothesis = This will be doable, and that rear window triangle could just be done with the quarter-glass from the earlier Padmini/Fiat models).
3. Cut open the boot, and create a pickup "box". For extra credit, line it up with wooden slats inside (this may have a name that skips me right now)

With that, I give you a vintage pickup, with a cozy cab. Ideally with a bench seat and a column shifter for full vintage truck nostalgia. So 2 questions for the vastly experienced crowd here:
a) Have you see this done? If yes, any photographs would be interesting to see. I have head that PAL offered chassis that coach builders like Starline used to build station-wagons. But I am interested in using elements of the original design such as the rear curved glass and quarter panels to keep the personality consistent (e.g. vs. the hideous HM Veer job).
b) Is there a brave photoshopper (out there) reading this, and feeling his/her fancy tickled pink? If yes, won't you please grace us with a mock up?

Let the opinion-games begin!

[starter]

There are some shared already on the forum. Here is one..


Although, this one still has the rear seats..

[condor]

Originally Posted by jayhind

Get a 90's Padmini - perhaps a 137D ..

With that, I give you a vintage pickup, with a cozy cab.

The beauty of the Padmini is in it's cute looks - though it is small by today's standards. ( I pulled up in my Storme behind one at a signal, and it was like - how the hell did we do 8 in that on a 900km trip back in 2000 !!! )

the panels are Not straight, and the vertical part of the boot doesnt gel into a pick-up looks. Overall, a screw-up, IMO. And then there is the RTO

Even if you went past all that, the engine isnt much by today's numbers, which we have got used to.

[jayhind]

Originally Posted by condor

Even if you went past all that, the engine isnt much by today's numbers, which we have got used to.

You have a point. Everybody gangsta till RTO shows up!

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by condor

The beauty of the Padmini is in it's cute looks - though it is small by today's standards.

And then there is the RTO

Even if you went past all that, the engine isn't much by today's numbers, which we have got used to.

Perfectly agree with all the points. Have seen many of the chopped/modified Premier Padmini's. All of them looked quite sick and 100% qualify for the Wierd and Whacky mod's thread.

If he still wants to do what has in mind, at the bare minimum use a petrol engine with column shift as it's at least fun to drive. PP diesel engines are too lousy and noisy.

[Moto$apien]

Saw this handsome sample

Good to see, it being used as a daily driver

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

We are looking for Padmini front grille. We could not find it on boodmo or partsbigboss, can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Hi Latheesh,
Were you able to source one? I am also looking for the grill but no success.

[M00M]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

We are looking for Padmini front grille. We could not find it on boodmo or partsbigboss, can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

Hi Latheesh,
Were you able to source one? I am also looking for the grill but no success.

I could not find the grille. The only samples available are made of plastic and they break in shipping. I tried a new approach. I got one made of Stainless Steel from the one I had in stock but in pieces. If you guys want one please let me know I can have it made but it would take some time and it does cost a fair bit but is a permanent solution.

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by M00M

I could not find the grille. The only samples available are made of plastic and they break in shipping. I tried a new approach. I got one made of Stainless Steel from the one I had in stock but in pieces. .

Can you please share picture of the same here only for the benefit of all the members?