[ajay99]

Originally Posted by Stanher

I did get a set of new SS COX PLAIN (the early convex type, which also came on Heralds) hubcaps for my Herald a few years ago. But I was told the plain types are no longer available! The ones with the 3-pointed logo unfortunately are more 'popular'! :(

And, as Behram says, they do fit Fiat rims as well. Even the later padmini 'dimpled' hubcaps fit Herald and amby rims.

The plain stainless steel wheel caps by COX for ambassador and herald are still available (NOS) in some old shops!!

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by ajay99

The plain stainless steel wheel caps by COX for ambassador and herald are still available (NOS) in some old shops!!

I would like a set in that case!

[anjan_c2007]

Yesterday, 25/07/2015 was a special day in the life of BYJ 276. About a week ago I had received a phone call from Mr Anand Kamathikar, son of the first owner of my car (48 year long ownership) Late Mr Balmukund Kamathikar requesting the presence of BYJ 276 at their residence for the day.

I agreed to leave the car. I was in Delhi on 24th July and had returned at about 7.15 am on 25/07. In the morning hours I left the car at their residence and the porch of the Kamathikar home, where this car spent its 48 years (1955- 2003) was vacated for the QUEEN. It was there for the whole day. The Kamathikars were having a gala family get-together and their two daughters, one son (Anand, he stays here with mother and family) and their families had gathered at Nagpur. They clicked dozens of pictures with the car.

In these Mrs Kamathikar is seen and her son Mr Anand is seen alongside the car and also pictures the porch can be seen. All the pictures are clicked in the Kamathikar residence.Sorry for some pictures that are not so good. I will post a few more soon.

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Yesterday, 25/07/2015 was a special day in the life of BYJ 276. About a week ago I had received a phone call from Mr Anand Kamathikar, son of the first owner of my car (48 year long ownership) Late Mr Balmukund Kamathikar requesting the presence of BYJ 276 at their residence for the day.
.

Sweet pics! An old house- and an old car - lovely.

BYJ 276 looks a real classic! Must say that the original Bombay Presidency registration looks great on her!

P.S: Was there any private registration series for Nagpur in the Bombay Presidency series, apart from BYJ? There was BYY- but wan't that commercial? Pune had BYF and BYH for private registrations- along with BYL for commercial.

[anjan_c2007]

2015 is for sure an eventful year for my Lady in Black. It has done three long distance runs from Nov 2014 till date - one to Sewagram (16/11/2014)- Wardha and back (about 190 kms), a trip to a farmhouse (02/08/2015) of a Central India Vintage Automotive Association (about 150 kms) and lastly a trip to Ghodazari Dam near Nagbhid (118 + 118 kms) on 1st November 2015.
It had also been to the house from where I had bought it - its first owner's house during August 2015 as it was Mrs Kamathikar's 80 th birthday. Her husband, the first owner Mr Balmukund Kamathikar passed away in 2007.
And now on 23/12/2015 the Lady in Black will turn SIXTY.
Some pictures from Nov 2014 to Nov 2015 :













The Sewagram run of 16/11/2014











The run to a farmhouse in Nagpur district of 02/08/2015













The Ghodazari Dam run of 01/11/2015

And the car has never faltered at all, covering all these distances with the agility that can even put newer cars to shame.

Happy 60 th Birthday My Lady in Black

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Happy 60 th Birthday My Lady in Black

Just remembered. 23rd December 1955 is the date of original registration.

Six decades of being on the road. Six decades.

Happy 60th birthday BYJ 276!

And kudos to you sir- for having faithfully maintained her. Hats off!

_________________________________

P.S: I'm sure the car is entitled to pension

[anjan_c2007]

My car being readied by Mr Ashish Limbanna (seen in the picture) at his garage in Nagpur for handing over, yesterday. A fantastic job done at his garage.

Annual health check up of the black senior citizen was completed today. The engine, gear and rear differential oils were changed and the air filter and SU carburettor were cleaned.The first and third gear engagement had some hiccups that were repaired and corrected.

In the cosmetic department, the starter and choke switches (with C and S engraved) with cables were changed over to new ones. The front windscreen rubber beading is changed and is also fitted with a chrome insert. Thanks to Mr Lukose Thomas of Erode, T.N. for his help in sourcing some spares. The rear windscreen will also have a similar beading with the chrome plated insert within a few days. The tail lamp lenses are now "Lucas Made in England."

It has also got the 3 M coat after a thorough cleaning.



More pictures to follow

[anjan_c2007]

Some more touches given to the Landmaster very recently at Limbanna Motors. Again a 3 M job was done just prior to last Sunday's Times of India- CIVAA- SDPL , V & C Display and Rally.

The front and rear windscreen, new beadings have the aluminium trim. Thanks to Mr Lukose Thomas for sending them from Coimbatore. The last picture is of the car on display at the event of last Sunday (29/01/2017).

My Lady in Black continues to be graceful.

[ARUN.V]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Some more touches given to the Landmaster very recently at Limbanna Motors. Again a 3 M job was done just prior to last Sunday's Times of India- CIVAA- SDPL , V & C Display and Rally.

The front and rear windscreen, new beadings have the aluminium trim. Thanks to Mr Lukose Thomas for sending them from Coimbatore. The last picture is of the car on display at the event of last Sunday (29/01/2017).

My Lady in Black continues to be graceful.

Attachment 1604278

Attachment 1604279

Attachment 1604280

Attachment 1604281

Attachment 1604282

Attachment 1604283

Attachment 1604284

Attachment 1604285

Attachment 1604286

Attachment 1604287

Attachment 1604288

Attachment 1604289

Attachment 1604290

Attachment 1604291

Sir, your car looks fabulous with all its original stuff. I feel painting the number plate would enhance its looks further.

[anjan_c2007]

I have mostly posted pictures of my car with a gleaming look. Now for a change, some pictures that are a bit different clicked when the car was undergoing repairs at workshops during various times during the past. It underwent a major engine overhaul during Oct 2011 - January 2012

These are from various years and are not in a proper sequence, necessarily.













Below: change of the rubber beading to fit the chrome strips on front and back windscreens 2016- 17. Thanks to Mr Lukose Thomas for shipping the rubber and chrome.

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

An update- My Landmaster's five year fitness was valid till August 2008.It was July and I woke up from my slumber to chalk out a plan to save the original (Bombay State) R.C. and T.C. book from destruction at the hands of the uncouth babus.

I am not that smart to deserve a smart card, when it comes to my dear Landy so I had to scheme something. I approached our leader the local MLA Mr Devendra Fadnavis, who gave me a patient hearing. He immediately phoned the RTO and told him to do the fitness tests etc and make the entry in the old R.C. and T.C. book manually,telling him not to destroy the these original documents under any circumstances. The RTO gave his nod on the phone. I met the RTO a few days later, on the D Day and referred to his discussions earlier with Devendraji. The fitness tests were taken by an Inspector and my "Lady in Black" emerged FIT' N FINE.

After completing the whole gamut and paperwork, I was handed over the manually entered R.C. and T.C. books. And guess what? The Landy is now fit until August 2013. My special thanks to Mr Devendra Fadnavis.

And again in August 2013, I had requested Mr Devendra Fadnavis, then our MLA (West Nagpur) for help to retain my original RC and TC books. He had helped me retain it through his request to the RTO then. Incidentally, his house (parental house in which he stayed) was on Plot # 276 (Khare Town, Dharampeth). I told him then in August 2013 that my car # is 276 and is the same as your plot no. He asked me " what was the problem ?" I told him about retention of the old RC/TC books during the fitness and re-registration process. He helped me to do so. Little did I realise that this young man will be our Chief Minister (Maharashtra) one fine day !

A startling revelation here is that my car battery an Amaron Green, bought in August 2009 is still serving me perfectly with its EIGHT PLUS years (will complete nine years in August 2018) on board (TOUCH WOOD). It breaks all the previous records of longevity for automobile batteries that I can think of !

Any records of more than nine years of service by automobile batteries from learned friends here, are welcome.

[anjan_c2007]

We have been, under the aegis of our Cent Ind Vintage Association (CIVAA), Nagpur, organising runs to nearby locales around Nagpur. My car has been running flawlessly and is in fact, in a much better shape, after these long runs. Automobiles, when used regularly tend to be in the best of health. The last run was on 27 th April 2018, an early morning run. Some pictures from these runs here:

[anjan_c2007]

The D Day had come a few months ago ! Yes the five year fitness for my good "Lady in black" had become due a few months ago. It was done last week finally and till April 2024.

I had made the first attempt to get fitness on 28/03/2019. The car was presented before the Asst Motor Vehicle's Inspector after completing all the paper formalities. This official checked the lights, dipper, brakes, wiper and a few more essentials, apart from the engine and chassis numbers. He found the handbrake unsatisfactory and so also the driver's side headlight. Apart from these, he remarked that I should fit a rear view mirror and some more new goodies like prominent and visible indicators and so on. I requested him to give all this in writing. He wrote "rear mirror to be fitted" among the many other things. I showed him the rear view mirror that was already fitted as OE and he said "no, on the driver's side door." I told him he must be meaning ORVM's and he nodded in agreement. I then told him about the laws which do not specify such additions to older cars manufactured before a certain date. These laws are not retrospective but prospective. I then told him that I am practising as a lawyer and these laws are referred by me on a regular basis. He did not yield.

I met his superior the Dy RTO (RTO was not in office at the time) and showed him the scribbling by the AMVI on the fitness form. He was in agreement with me when I explained that such fitments are for newer motor vehicles manufactured from certain dates as in the M.V. Act 1988 (with amendments from time to time). He phoned the AMVI and gave the official a piece of his mind telling him not to raise unreal points that are not relevant. I told the Dy RTO that I would get the headlight and handbrake jobs done which are logical, to which he agreed.

Again after all rectifications (headlight and hand brake) I took my car to the RTO office on 05/04/2019. I was pleasently surprised to find a Sr Inspector (MVI) doing the issuance of fitness certificate jobs. I told him about my last week's rendezvous with fitness. He saw the car checked its vitals and found things in order. The car was certified as fit. Seeing its condition he also remarked in Marathi "appears you have a special attachment with your car" to which I replied "yes, very much" in Marathi.

The job was ultimately done and My Lady is now fit till 2024!

[anjan_c2007]

The Lady braving the sun (43.5 degrees Celsius then) on D- Day, all prepared to pass the fitness tests !

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

The D Day had come a few months ago ! Yes the five year fitness for my good "Lady in black" had become due a few months ago. It was done last week finally and till April 2024.

I had made the first attempt to get fitness on 28/03/2019. The car was presented before the Asst Motor Vehicle's Inspector after completing all the paper formalities. This official checked the lights, dipper, brakes, wiper and a few more essentials, apart from the engine and chassis numbers. He found the handbrake unsatisfactory and so also the driver's side headlight. Apart from these, he remarked that I should fit a rear view mirror and some more new goodies like prominent and visible indicators and so on. I requested him to give all this in writing. He wrote "rear mirror to be fitted" among the many other things. I showed him the rear view mirror that was already fitted as OE and he said "no, on the driver's side door." I told him he must be meaning ORVM's and he nodded in agreement. I then told him about the laws which do not specify such additions to older cars manufactured before a certain date. These laws are not retrospective but prospective. I then told him that I am practising as a lawyer and these laws are referred by me on a regular basis. He did not yield.

I met his superior the Dy RTO (RTO was not in office at the time) and showed him the scribbling by the AMVI on the fitness form. He was in agreement with me when I explained that such fitments are for newer motor vehicles manufactured from certain dates as in the M.V. Act 1988 (with amendments from time to time). He phoned the AMVI and gave the official a piece of his mind telling him not to raise unreal points that are not relevant. I told the Dy RTO that I would get the headlight and handbrake jobs done which are logical, to which he agreed.

For further information, the particular AMVI Mr Sailesh Koppola, who tried to mislead me during the fitness test in March 2019 with his inexperience, according to the latest newspaper reports has been suspended in a learning licence scam (Nagpur RTO), wherein it was a racket unearthed by some vigilant citizens. These inspectors and a few staffers, hand in glove with RTO agents had allegedly given their login id's and passwords of the RTO website to some agents, who logged in after office hours, issuing learning licences during such odd times to several applicants.