12th September 2010, 11:49
| #961 |
| Distinguished - BHPian  Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI
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12th September 2010, 13:46
| #962 |
| Senior - BHPian  | |
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12th September 2010, 23:07
| #963 | |
| BHPian  | Necklace road will be OK [quote=hillram;2065909]
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12th September 2010, 23:39
| #964 | |
| Senior - BHPian | [quote=nvkale2;2066759]
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12th September 2010, 23:40
| #965 |
| Senior - BHPian  | |
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13th September 2010, 00:22
| #966 | |
| BHPian | I think we'l stick to PLan B this time Quote:
i think we'l stick to Plan B now. Beacause more you discuss it'l be confusing till last moment. Indira park and LB nagar stadium entrance willl be the meeting spot for next meet. yes one thing we can do, you come to my house by 08:45 and then our both FIATs will go together to Necklace road. | |
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15th September 2010, 23:13
| #967 |
| BHPian | |
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16th September 2010, 07:42
| #968 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bhopal (M.P),Hyderabad (A.P)
Posts: 346
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| Inspired by kale sir, saw this article on The Hindu May 11th 2010 Save the Fiat 1100  The Premier Padmini C.S. Ananth modified into a rally car. Photo: M. Karunakaran Praveen sent his Premier Padmini to the scrap yard to free up space in his garage. Today, he regrets that hasty decision. Many can relate to this. Premier Padminis and other Fiat 1100s have become a rare sight; and those gripped by nostalgia for these cars can't easily get hold of one. The situation is not unique to Chennai. Every other metro has been registering a sharp fall in Fiat 1100 numbers. To protect and cherish this Fiat, a synonym for car travel to generations of Indians, exclusive 1100 clubs have been formed in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow and Hyderabad. Among their objectives is preventing these cars from going to the scrap yard. After saving the Fiats from this familiar fate, these clubs face the challenge of providing support to owners in restoring these cars. “Sourcing Fiat 1100 parts is becoming an uphill task. The body and rubber trims are impossible to get,” says C.S. Ananth, who has a 1989 Premier Padmini. “Morris Minor, which is found in plentiful numbers around the world and has humungous owners' clubs, is helped by companies prepared to make their parts. Because they are considerably fewer, Fiat 1100 don't evoke a similar response from auto parts manufacturers. Even in Mumbai, where a small number of Padminis still ply as taxis, such help has not come for the 1100.” “A few parts that are being specifically made for the Fiat 1100 are not of a quality that matches the original. A North-India based company has made 1,000 Millecento taillight lenses available. A pair of this lens sells for Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,500 around the country. While such products may not meet high standards, the underlying attempt to provide parts for the 1100 is heartening,” says Jaikumar, owner of a 1956 Millicento. Only if the 1100 goes up considerably in the estimation of classic car collectors, production of parts specific to them can be expected. At present, except for the Elegants, the Millecentos and other 1100s from the 1950s and early 1960s, a Fiat in running condition fetches a price somewhere between Rs.20,000 and Rs.30,000. Ananth says a well-restored Fiat 1100 will fetch an attractive price. “People are slowly waking up to the ‘classic' value of the 1100.” Jaikumar strikes a less optimistic note. “Only the earlier 1100 models evoke considerable interest. It will take some more time before all models appear equally interesting.” Among positive signs is the fancy for the S1, Premier Padmini's swansong. This car, which was manufactured in the second half of the 1990s, is desired due to some of its unique features. “It came with the 118NE's gearbox. It had the stock 1098 cc engine, but got a new head that was made in collaboration with an Austrian company,” says Jaikumar. “The coming generations will find it more interesting than we do. But the Fiat's future lies in our hands.” A rush of memories For many, the Fiat 1100 is imbued with nostalgia. This is especially true of those who were into car rallies a few decades ago; and also car racers at Sholavaram. C.S. Ananth used to rally and race in a 1971 Fiat, which he gave up when Maruti 800 came on the scene in the Eighties. Ananth preserved the past by keeping all the special equipment, indispensable during rallies and races. Three years ago, Ananth picked up a 1989 Fiat and modified it into a rally car. The preserved parts, including a Halda special pilot, roll cage, a circuit breaker, and a sump guard, went into the new Fiat. Ranjit Pratap, who has some of the choicest classic cars, is specially attached to his 1957 Fiat Elegant for the torrent of childhood memories it brings. Ranjit took a lot of trouble restoring it. When he went to inspect the car in Salem, there was nothing in it that he could write home about. After setting it on its four wheels, he faced the headache of sourcing parts unique to Fiat Elegant. It is customary for owners of Fiat 1100s to make do with parts from other Fiats within the 1100 family. Instead of taking the path of least resistance, he made arrangements for sourcing Elegant parts from various places in the country. For a few others, he made contact with Fiat associates in Italy. The restoration took two long years. For a car that now takes him decades back, says Ranjit, this was not too big a task. Last edited by sushil_n79 : 16th September 2010 at 07:44. Reason: editing |
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19th September 2010, 00:25
| #969 |
| Senior - BHPian | |
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19th September 2010, 06:10
| #970 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 608
Thanked: 584 Times
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19th September 2010, 08:51
| #971 | |
| Senior - BHPian | Quote:
FCCH meets happen by default on 2nd Sunday every month.Hence every member is aware of this.Since last weekend was festival period,we had to push it to this Sunday. Also there are always contingencies and we have to give room for personal priorities of members such as family issues,profession etc,which can crop up last minute.Life is a learning !! Suren's Elegant will be there today and Shiva's Elegant will be ready in due course of time.Do stay tuned !!! Last edited by hillram : 19th September 2010 at 08:54. | |
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19th September 2010, 11:14
| #972 |
| BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bhopal (M.P),Hyderabad (A.P)
Posts: 346
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| hi Guys found this article which is really nice: Unplanned trip to JAWHAR in a Premier Padmini Unplanned trip to Jawhar (Article posted 26-07-10, 01:12 PM) ----------------------------- Had intially planned to hit karjat, but plans went kaput on Saturday since bookings at the Saguna baug resort were full There was no way i was going to give up, since we were all geared up for an outing. Jawhar been a mysterious location and much discussed amongst my office buddies, so we decided to hit Jawhar!! Challenges -------------- I was driving a 17 yr old ( Trusty and well maintained ) Premier padmini petrol 1993 model. I had not found good tyres, stephney was not in good shape. I was not concerned earlier since we were going to karjat, but Jawhar which was a good 120 Kms away was a different piece of cake. We had planned a one day return trip since my wife had to attend office nexy day. Sunday ------- Since it was almost last minute decision to hit jawhar, we were not at all prepared. Started pretty late @ 8 am from Ghatkopar, my office buddy Darshan and his wife were going to accompany us, picked them up from thane. Route ------- Thane - NH3 - Bhiwandi - Wada - Jawhar It was nice to cruise on Nh3 doing 60-70k's till we turned left for Bhiwandi. Had heard horror stories of people getting stuck in Jams. but we managed to get out of Bhiwandi in 30 minutes! since roads were average. After Bhiwandi the road to Wada was a mixed bag, with good stretches alongwith really horrible ones! YES i mean it. Craters, slush, HUGE pothholes which could goobble up a M800  and Heavy Duty trailer traffic.Padmini was equal to the task and needed some planning to overtake those long trucks. The scene on this road was dotted with few villages and many industries, so it was not really scenic, but we stopped enroute for some breakfast. Thanks to almost flat bonnet of my Padmini, we did not have to look for a table, and it was fun sipping in Hot tea and munching some delicious snacks while we savoured the scenary at that stop. It was rainy season , and we could see people bending their backs cultivating rice in Lush green or should i say flourescent green fields..... We carried on and then reached Wada around 11.30 pm, we missed the turn to Jawhar due to some misguidance and carried staright ahead. What a road it was!!!! it was heavenly road which was narrow and was as wide as a BUS, but it was remote with almost no traffic and very very scenic!! After being spellbound by the scenary and after almost 17kms we wondered if we were going in the right direction. We then stopped at a bridge and then discovered we were heading towards Khodala. I had heard about its beauty, and felt like going ahead, but time was premium and we had to hit Jawhar. So we turned back and took a turn 2kms before wada , and then hit jawhar highway via tembhepada village. As soon as we hit highway, it was a relief since the internal road was not at all pleasent, it was isolate, narrow , and was average, but it was exciting no doubt.........you can find such roads if you get lost....... Jawhar road was smooth and we were following a spiritedly driven ST bus whose driver knew that road well. I was determined to oevrtake him and did it easily. The road was so involving, i could not savour its beauty,it was just me , my Padmini and the twisties! As we neared Jawhar, we found Hotel Shrushti which was like a Dhaba which seemed a good stop over for Lunch.We gorged on deliously hot Chicken handi and it started raining. Rains in hills have some kind of magic and the very feeling can make you change your plans. Convinced my wife that we will stay overnight, and also convinced her that she will be in office next day @ 10 am!! ( i had that belief in My Padmini ). So called Hotel Pushpanjali and booked a room, this is a pretty good hotel which is 1km from Jawhar bus depot and is well maintained. We the hit the road again for dabhosa waterfalls which is enroute the road to Khodala from Jawhar. Again we missed the main road and were going thorugh unknown interiors!! it was risky since the road was almost a offroad track with broke tarmac at several pathches.......but when you are in a Padmini who cares!! We felt like stopping at numerous places and must say Jawhar is really an unexplored place, and a must visit in rains........ We reached Dabhosa falls , but were disappointed to know that it needed a good 45 minute trek to reach its base, we cound only enjoy its view from a distance. We then returned back to see Shirpmal. This is a kind of post which was created when Shivaji maharaj passed thourgh Jawhar enroute to Surat. Its located at a vantage point form where you get a good 360 deg view! It was a blanket of green in various shades.........its an ideal place to sit relax and do nothing................ We then headed back to Jawhar and reached Jai vilas palace, whose entrance we discovered was right opposite Hotel Shrushti! since it was 6pm Palace was closed.............. So it back to Hotel and then back to Hotel Shrushti for Dinner. It was 9 pm and now the fog set in! we were dinning in foggy conditions and it was a unique experience.......... We then started back and it was great to drive in fog with only the left headlight, right side bulb went out and slowly we reached Hotel. MONDAY ----------- Started early @ 6, and drove flat out till we were 25 kms from Bhiwandi. stopped for 15 mins to have tea and then continued furthur. We got stuck in some traffic in Bhiwandi and now it started raining really heavy, visibility was low and we were short of time!! So continued driving normally and reached Thane by 9.20am!! Darshan & his wife bid goodbye to us, due to powai's notorious traffic my Wife reached office by 10.20am!!!!!! All in all a really good trip, and the best part was that there were no planning, but whatever we decided came out good............. i was lucky there were no punctures inspite of hostile road conditions in few stretches......love you Padmini....... Source of the content : http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/trav...admini-t24864/ Enjoy the pics........ Attached Images                  Note from the Team-BHP Support Staff : Do make sure that you provide the references/original source for every piece of material that has been taken from another website/publication, to give credit to the original author. Please PM us with the link / source so that we may edit the post and include it appropriately. We advise you to read the Announcements and Board Rules section before proceeding any further. Last edited by .anshuman : 19th September 2010 at 14:32. Reason: Please take a look at the mod note that has been added to the end of your post. |
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19th September 2010, 12:11
| #973 |
| Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI
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19th September 2010, 13:11
| #974 |
| BHPian  Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mumbai / Pune B
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| @ Behram Sir, Is there any specific reason to have 118NE wheel rims on Padmini during its rally use ?? I have seen atleast 20-30 photographs here on TBHP in which Padmini is fitted with 118NE wheel rims & they are being used for rallies. One more question, Is Padmini needed any further modifications except Seat Belts & Roll Cage (?) ?? (Any weight reduction ??  ) |
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19th September 2010, 13:55
| #975 |
| Senior - BHPian | |
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