[karlosdeville]

An update after a long time. The car is now finally restored and mechanically completed. While she's not perfect, the transformation is incredible. Still plenty to do but I am very happy to see the car up and about. She runs like a dream, and surprisingly peppy on highways. Have driven well over 2000 miles after the restoration and she gets better and better with each mile. Since the car would be used extensively for long distance, we fitted radial tyres, an alternator and upgraded the whole braking system to Padmini TVS Girling system. The reverse light and stop light were installed for long distance drives, which proved very useful.

Here are some pictures - for the first photos I couldn't resist fitting the original plates.















While on a long run from from Ahmedabad to Bombay bypassing Baroda, I did a quick google map search and saw that I was only a 5km detour away from the late Mrs. Vyarawalla's house. This was an occasion I couldn't miss and I made a quick pitstop to drive past the house where this car spent so many years.

[V.Narayan]

Congratulations on completing such an original refurbishment to make the car look like it must have in the 1950s. I love it when old cars are redone to the way they were. Mrs. H. Vyarawalla must be pleased as she looks down from up above. The sticker of Ahura Mazda on the rear wind screen is a nice touch to her memory.

[Bulldogji]

The car looks as it should, as always, Karl, a neat restoration.

Congratulations, many happy motoring hours, but please stop calling her Dalda.

'first press virgin olive oil' sounds better for such a lovely car.

[Impala59]

The car looks fantastic! Those DLD 13 plates are on point! They go so well with the car
It's a shame that we can't keep them officially.

Here is picture of DLD 13 that I clicked at the 2009 VCCCI rally. The transformation is amazing! Congratulations

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The sticker of Ahura Mazda on the rear wind screen is a nice touch to her memory.

+1

That sticker and Fiats is one lovely combination.

[V.Narayan]

Incidentally today is the 104th birth anniversary of this very fine lady and famous photographer - Homai Vyarawalla - India's first women photo journalist and a Padma Vibhushan awardee.

Many of her news photos achieved iconic status in the 1940s to 1960s. In the beginning her photos were published in Times of India under her husband's name!?! - such were those times and mores - and to think some people lament for those good old days.

Her pseudonym 'Dalda 13' under which she published most of her photos came from her first car number DLD 13 featured on this thread and from her birth year 1913. Thanks to Karlosdeville for keeping the car and her spirit alive. May her life inspire the young women of today.

[TheStranger]

Today's Google India homepage has honoured Homai Vyarawalla on her 104th birthday with a doodle....featuring her taking pics.

[KartikeyaL]

Originally Posted by TheStranger

Today's Google India homepage has honoured Homai Vyarawalla on her 104th birthday with a doodle....featuring her taking pics.

Here is the google doodle !

[travancore]

The grand lady in the driver's seat.

I just noticed that the car originally had a white steering wheel.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by travancore

I just noticed that the car originally had a white steering wheel.

All dukkar Fiats came with steering wheels in varying shades of ivory/grey/brown, but never black. These early wheels were made of a very brittle material that just crumbles into pieces. I think the earliest Millecentos had dark brown wheels, and the Elegants had ivory. Subject to correction.

I had asked Mrs. V about the steering wheel, she clearly remembered changing it, the original was a grey she said.

[karlosdeville]

Recently completed the second long distance run across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, just over 2,900 kms. Still spinning like a top, and running like a dream. Equally at home on the highways, hills and jungles

[anjan_c2007]

Some pictures from the Nagpur lap of the 2900 Kipling Run (22/11/2017):-

[V.Narayan]

Thank you for sharing. Can you please post more photos of this run - the Kipling Run. Who are the 3 fine gentlemen in the last photo in post #101.

[Bulldogji]

The car looks very neat, and the fact that she ran effortlessly, speaks volumes for the restorer and owners dedication

I do not know the third gentleman in the pictures, but Karl and Cassad from Nagpur, are well known on this forum.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

I do not know the third gentleman in the pictures, but Karl and Cassad from Nagpur, are well known on this forum.

The third gent (in the pink shirt) would be Dr. Anjan Chatterjee!

[arun1100]

Hello Karl, eagerly looking forward for the detailed report and pics of the South India road trip with DLD 13!

Here's one from your FB album.