A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use

karlosdeville · 19th November 2008, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sankar

OT:Vintage Gurus i have a question.
I see that the LM dashboard has Autometer gauges installed. I have also seen an old Enfield Bullet with Autometer speedometer. Were these manufactured by the same American company that makes Autometer performance gauges?

Autometer was offered as OE for donkeys years in India. My 71 Fiat also has Autometer guages.

The Landmaster should have golden Smith meters, but are replaced with Amby Smith units, well, at least the left side guage. The right side guage is a knock off Smith, probably made specifically as Amby replacement.

Come Dec 3rd and all taxis in Bombay over 25 years old will be off the roads. The last surviving black and yellow Italian Fiat with suicide doors too has just cancelled its registration. Fortunately after much hunting at the last minute we were able to find a buyer and save this well preserved car from being scrapped. More details later as they come in.

Stanher · 19th November 2008, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Come Dec 3rd and all taxis in Bombay over 25 years old will be off the roads. The last surviving black and yellow Italian Fiat with suicide doors too has just cancelled its registration. Fortunately after much hunting at the last minute we were able to find a buyer and save this well preserved car from being scrapped. More details later as they come in.

Sorry for the

but its real sad news!

A shame they didnt preserve evn cars of "heritage" status- cars like this one wouldve been really good atleast for tourism! Oh well....yeh hai India.
Good that this car was saved atleast! Was the number changed to a private one?

SuperSelect · 19th November 2008, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanher

Sorry for the

but its real sad news!

A shame they didnt preserve evn cars of "heritage" status- cars like this one wouldve been really good atleast for tourism! Oh well....yeh hai India.
Good that this car was saved atleast! Was the number changed to a private one?

I believe the new owner's quite passionate, and is going to maintain her as she is - in black and yellow, with meter, complete. Another welcome entrant to FCCCI Mumbai !!

abdriver2000 · 20th November 2008, 12:25

The number of this car looks as if it was coverted to a taxi only about 15 yrs ago.

karlosdeville · 20th November 2008, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

The number of this car looks as if it was coverted to a taxi only about 15 yrs ago.

It was converted in 98 Im told. Prior to that it was a singled owned car, belonging to a Parsee gent.

esteem_lover · 20th November 2008, 14:27

A touching story about a beautiful friendship, anjan. People like Mohammed & cars like MHG 099 are indeed not just rare, but almost extinct now.

anjan_c2007 · 20th November 2008, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

A touching story about a beautiful friendship, anjan. People like Mohammed & cars like MHG 099 are indeed not just rare, but almost extinct now.

Thanks esteem_lover i'll tell Mohammed about the love and concern members are expressing here.

anjan_c2007 · 20th November 2008, 19:46

Thanks condor and esteem_lover I'll meet Mohammed and tell him about the love and concern of my fellow teambhp members.

abdriver2000 · 4th December 2008, 16:17

Any updates on the Mumbai taxi restoration?

ajay99 · 7th December 2008, 12:11

i have a pair of NOS land master lenses .if anybody wants ready to part with it

anjan_c2007 · 21st March 2009, 13:03

This is an article written by me on Mr Mohammed Sadiq and his 1957 Landmaster taxi, that appeared in a very recent issue of Quality First, the journal of MCOIC, Oxford, U.K.(Morris Cowley, Oxford and Issis Owners Club).

expanding the letters MCOIC with more about the models, the Morris Cowley was a down market version of the Oxford.The bench seats had coir and no foam.Also the dash was trimmed. It was the no-frills version. Our Landmasters were the Oxford Series II, but without the heater available in the U.K. as O.E.The Issis was a six cylinder, longer engine bay-bonnet version of the Oxford and is now much sought after in the U.K., being rarer.
Attachment 114211

Attachment 114212

Attachment 114213

anjan_c2007 · 21st March 2009, 13:32

Sorry, uploading problems in the previous post. Have subdivided each page into two and have posted the contents here:

A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use-scan0006.jpg

A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use-untitled-2.jpg

A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use-scan0014.jpg

A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use-untitled3.jpg

A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use-scan0017.jpg

A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use-untitled4.jpg

anjan_c2007 · 21st March 2009, 13:51

Again uploading the write-up (pages 2 and 3)which was not legible in the last post.
Attachment 114232

Attachment 114233

anjan_c2007 · 28th February 2011, 23:02

The taxi has been taken off the road by Mr Mohammed Sadiq more than a year back.The permit had expired and there was no way he could renew it within the framework of the MV Act. Its now parked in the owner's house.the rear windscreen is broken as I came to know. And selling it! Mr Mohammed won't part with his very valuable possession under any circumstances.
I will visit him and post some more details.

chanu · 28th February 2011, 23:15

This car is no ordinary car according to me. This is a tough survivor of time, taxis which are the most used and which gets changed or modified due to commercial reasons this is a definate winner, I am worried that this car is getting into the black hole as its is not road worthy and standing idle to add up the rear windshield is broken so this needs to be saved. I hope the owner thinks a better betterment for the car by giving it a caring home.

20th November 2008, 12:25	#19
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 331 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	The number of this car looks as if it was coverted to a taxi only about 15 yrs ago.
	() Thanks

20th November 2008, 14:27	#21
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	A touching story about a beautiful friendship, anjan. People like Mohammed & cars like MHG 099 are indeed not just rare, but almost extinct now.
	() Thanks

20th November 2008, 19:46	#23
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,325 Thanked: 20,638 Times View My Garage	Thanks condor and esteem_lover I'll meet Mohammed and tell him about the love and concern of my fellow teambhp members.
	() Thanks

4th December 2008, 16:17	#24
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 331 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Any updates on the Mumbai taxi restoration?
	() Thanks

7th December 2008, 12:11	#25
ajay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 2,731 Thanked: 1,614 Times	i have a pair of NOS land master lenses .if anybody wants ready to part with it
	() Thanks

21st March 2009, 13:03	#26
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,325 Thanked: 20,638 Times View My Garage	This is an article written by me on Mr Mohammed Sadiq and his 1957 Landmaster taxi, that appeared in a very recent issue of Quality First, the journal of MCOIC, Oxford, U.K.(Morris Cowley, Oxford and Issis Owners Club). expanding the letters MCOIC with more about the models, the Morris Cowley was a down market version of the Oxford.The bench seats had coir and no foam.Also the dash was trimmed. It was the no-frills version. Our Landmasters were the Oxford Series II, but without the heater available in the U.K. as O.E.The Issis was a six cylinder, longer engine bay-bonnet version of the Oxford and is now much sought after in the U.K., being rarer. Attachment 114211 Attachment 114212 Attachment 114213 Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 21st March 2009 at 13:14.
	() Thanks

21st March 2009, 13:32	#27
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,325 Thanked: 20,638 Times View My Garage	Sorry, uploading problems in the previous post. Have subdivided each page into two and have posted the contents here:
	() Thanks

21st March 2009, 13:51	#28
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,325 Thanked: 20,638 Times View My Garage	Again uploading the write-up (pages 2 and 3)which was not legible in the last post. Attachment 114232 Attachment 114233
	() Thanks

28th February 2011, 23:02	#29
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,325 Thanked: 20,638 Times View My Garage	Re: A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use The taxi has been taken off the road by Mr Mohammed Sadiq more than a year back.The permit had expired and there was no way he could renew it within the framework of the MV Act. Its now parked in the owner's house.the rear windscreen is broken as I came to know. And selling it! Mr Mohammed won't part with his very valuable possession under any circumstances. I will visit him and post some more details.
	() Thanks

28th February 2011, 23:15	#30
chanu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: APX to AP 29 Posts: 1,483 Thanked: 150 Times View My Garage	Re: A 1957 Landmaster Taxi Still in Use This car is no ordinary car according to me. This is a tough survivor of time, taxis which are the most used and which gets changed or modified due to commercial reasons this is a definate winner, I am worried that this car is getting into the black hole as its is not road worthy and standing idle to add up the rear windshield is broken so this needs to be saved. I hope the owner thinks a better betterment for the car by giving it a caring home.
	() Thanks