Team-BHP > Vintage Cars & Classics in India > Pre-War
Register New Topics New Posts Top Thanked Team-BHP FAQ


Reply
  Search this Thread
1,566,438 views
Old 16th January 2015, 10:45   #946
Distinguished - BHPian
 
karlosdeville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pune
Posts: 11,976
Thanked: 18,277 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Here is a strange one for sale - A Rover 'Nizam Sport'

http://www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/ad174959.html

The description reads

Quote:
In 1931 Carbodies of Coventry built this almost unique car based on chassis and engine of Rover 10/25. The model had this name in honor of Nizam of Islamabad in India, according to the commercial program by Spencer Wilks, Rover's Managing Director, of very limited edition sports cars; other types were Maharajah, Rajah and Ranee.

Rover 10/25 Nizam Sport was made in only 3 exemplars, 2 of which survive today.

This is the second of three, green and black, chassis and engine matching number (72232), registered in 1931 (PJ 1214).
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-0.jpg
karlosdeville is offline   (4) Thanks
Old 13th February 2015, 12:44   #947
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KartikeyaL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jaipur
Posts: 3,523
Thanked: 15,764 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Though this is not about the maharaja cars in India, it is about cars and the wealth of the Maharaja's so posting in this thread.

In 1915 the Maharaja Scindia gifted a large fleet of Ambulances to the British Army and Navy.

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-scindia-ambulance-fleet.jpg
photo source: fb

The "Scindia" Motor Ambulance Fleet , the Christmas gift of Major-General His Highness The Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior to the Army and Navy, was formally accepted by the King on behalf of his soldiers and sailors at Buckingham Palace. The fleet, consisting of 41 ambulance cars, four cars for officers; five motor lorries and repair wagons, and 10 motorcycles, was taken into the Palace grounds by the Grosvenor gardens gate, and driven slowly in file past the King, who was accompanied by the Queen, Princess Mary, Prince Henry, and the lords and ladies of the household.

The Maharaja was represented by Colonel Sir David Barr. Their Majesties examined the cars thoroughly and inquired particularly into such matters as the arrangements for heating and for food storage. The fleet afterwards left the grounds by the North Garden gate and passed out to the Mall through the forecourt of the Palace. Before the representatives of the Maharaja took their leave the King informed them of his intention to telegraph his thanks personally to his Highness. The fleet had been handed over to the proper authorities, and it is understood that it was sent to the seat of war almost immediately. The total cost of the fleet was £25,000.

It may be added that in addition to this magnificent gift the Maharaja is providing, in conjunction with the Begum of Bhopal, the hospital ship Loyalty (formerly the Canadian Pacific steamer Empress of India), which contains 500 beds; and that his Highness had made the following contributions for the purposes named:
£10,000 for the National Relief fund,
£15,000 for motor transport,
£6,000 for Belgian refugees,
£5,000 for officers' motor-cars,
£1,000 for telescopes, £1,000 for Queen Mary's Needle work Guild,
and £100 for Princess Mary's Fund.

Here is the original news as it appeared in the newspaper
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-article920713493001.jpg

and the same can be found here :
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/92071349

Last edited by KartikeyaL : 13th February 2015 at 12:58.
KartikeyaL is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 15th February 2015, 11:22   #948
Senior - BHPian
 
FINTAIL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: B'Lore :)
Posts: 1,233
Thanked: 1,240 Times
Re: Pics: Vintage & Classic cars in India

The beautiful Jaipur Bentley, the 1937 4 1/2 litre coupe, is seen here in the grounds of Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, with the HH. Rajmata Sahib of Jaipur- Maharani Gayatri Devi beside it.

Presenting RJL 4004.

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-rjl-4004.jpg

Credits to the pic: David Lefranc/Getty Images.

The pic is dated to 1 Jan. 2000- Not quite sure about the authenticity of the date.
FINTAIL is offline   (4) Thanks
Old 16th February 2015, 15:32   #949
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KartikeyaL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jaipur
Posts: 3,523
Thanked: 15,764 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

HH The Maharaja and HH The Maharani of Dewas Jr Circa 1937

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-dewas-2.jpg

Photo Courtesy Ranjit Singh Namli


which car is this ?
KartikeyaL is offline   (5) Thanks
Old 16th February 2015, 15:41   #950
Distinguished - BHPian
 
karlosdeville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pune
Posts: 11,976
Thanked: 18,277 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by KartikeyaL View Post
HH The Maharaja and HH The Maharani of Dewas Jr Circa 1937

which car is this ?
Nice find - maybe a Ford V8?
karlosdeville is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 16th February 2015, 16:59   #951
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ann Arbor
Posts: 2,934
Thanked: 8,551 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by KartikeyaL View Post
HH The Maharaja and HH The Maharani of Dewas Jr Circa 1937

Attachment 1340343

Photo Courtesy Ranjit Singh Namli


which car is this ?
I think it is a Ford, like Karlos said. Believe it also in Manvendra's book.
travancore is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 22nd February 2015, 04:35   #952
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ann Arbor
Posts: 2,934
Thanked: 8,551 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

A Patiala Chrysler Imperial CQ by LeBaron, 1933

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-patiala-chrysler-cq-imperial-lebaron-1933-large-hires.jpg

The man with his back to the camera certainly looks like Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. The location is probably his Chail Palace.
travancore is offline   (6) Thanks
Old 23rd February 2015, 19:25   #953
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ann Arbor
Posts: 2,934
Thanked: 8,551 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

A bit of history on the Patiala Aston Martin T-28

courtesy: all car central

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-patiala-aston-martin-ttype-1928-tbhp.jpg

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-patiala-aston-martin-ttype-1928-history-mallya-collection-cropped.jpg
travancore is offline   (6) Thanks
Old 28th February 2015, 16:29   #954
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KartikeyaL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jaipur
Posts: 3,523
Thanked: 15,764 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Here is picture of a 1934 packard 12 with Major Shrimant Maharaj Shri Yeshwantrao Hindurao Ghorpade, Hindurao, Mamlukatmadar Senapati, Raja of Sandur.

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-1934-packard-sandur.jpg

Source : FB
KartikeyaL is offline   (4) Thanks
Old 9th March 2015, 19:08   #955
Senior - BHPian
 
harit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 4,033
Thanked: 3,281 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by travancore View Post
A bit of history on the Patiala Aston Martin T-28
This car was still in India in the late 1970's, offered for sale by a broker. It was yellow in colour also then, and carried a UP registration. When did she leave India?

Below are two pages from a Taj Hotel mag about Lanchester's. I saw the Lanchester of Nobel in Jaipur about 3 years ago. This car has been discussed here before, it is a foreign non-Maharaja car, visited India and toured around. But lovely never the less. The Noble couple speak about Alwar's Lanchester and the photo was printed as seen in the second photo.

The clock in the Tower in Lucknow which they refer to was restored by Perak and his brother Vintageman both on this forum. Their work is being appreciated here.

Cheers harit
Attached Thumbnails
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-lanch1.jpg  

How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-lanch2.jpg  

harit is offline   (5) Thanks
Old 13th March 2015, 17:46   #956
BHPian
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 62
Thanked: 75 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Think about it, Chinas auto market was about the same size as ours till a couple of years back. It has long surpassed Indias automotive sales figures and if the current Chinese growth rates continue...2010 will see China as the worlds largest automobile producer!

GTO
GTO, your prediction in 2004 was correct. China became the world's largest automobile producer in 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...cle_production
Crazy_cars_guy is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 19th March 2015, 13:02   #957
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KartikeyaL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jaipur
Posts: 3,523
Thanked: 15,764 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Some of these pictures might have been posted before, found them on the Royal Maratha's FB page.

Photograph of HH Maharaja Jivaji Rao Scindia taken in 1941, This photograph is part of an album taken during his marriage to Lekha Divyeshwari- HH Maharani Vijayaraje Scindia.
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-photograph-hh-maharaja-jivaji-rao-scindia.jpg

Jaisingh Rao Ghatge Chief of Kagal, Kagal was a feudatory to the Kolhapur state Jai Singh Rao 1857-86 Raja of Kagal Senior Branch succeeded as a minor in 1868 and ruled 1878 86.
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-jaisingh-rao-ghatge-chief-kagal.jpg

HH Sir Jivaji Rao Scindia,The Maharaja of Gwalior's Packard Car in Jai Vilas Palace, circa 1945 in Gwalior.
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-hh-sir-george-jivaji-rao-scindia.jpg

HH Maharani Chandravati Bai Sahib Holkar with her son Yuvaraj Shrimant Yeshwant Rao Holkar Bahadur and daughter Maharajkumari Manorama Bai Raje Sahib Holkar.
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-hh-maharani-shrimant-akhand-soubhagyavati-chandravati-bai-sahib-holkar.jpg

HH Maharaja Yeshwant Rao II Holkar of Indore in his Bentley B11GP 4 Qtr 1936 Period.
How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas-hh-maharaja-yeshwant-rao-ii-holkar-indore-his-bentley-b11gp-4-qtr-1936-period.jpg



credit: Royal Maratha Fb page
KartikeyaL is offline   (5) Thanks
Old 24th March 2015, 17:21   #958
BHPian
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 580
Thanked: 476 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by travancore View Post
Yes. Jodhpur had at least one V12, now owned by one of our own (?)

Picture courtesy TBHP / Faster789

Attachment 1326406

This may have been the personal car of Mr.A.P.Good, Chairman of Lagonda - to be confirmed.
yes, this car was built for, and used by Alan Good for a while.
It is just 6 chassis later than the LeMans v12 racers, and has left over spares from them in it, like the drilled brake drums. it also has a higher ratio axle than standard for this chassis, presumably for high speed continental trips.
it was ordered by the maharajah in the midst of WW2, when civilian car production had long ended, since Lagonda didn't want to refuse an important order, the company presidents car was refurbished and sold. the car was shipped from the factory in September 1940.
I was told earlier this month by a gentleman who is an author of several books on vintage Rolls Royce and others, that this may be the last civilian car, certainly the last sports car exported out of England till the war ended.
awini is offline   (4) Thanks
Old 24th March 2015, 17:25   #959
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ann Arbor
Posts: 2,934
Thanked: 8,551 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by awini View Post
yes, this car was built for, and used by Alan Good for a while.
It is just 6 chassis later than the LeMans v12 racers, and has left over spares from them in it, like the drilled brake drums. it also has a higher ratio axle than standard for this chassis, presumably for high speed continental trips.
it was ordered by the maharajah in the midst of WW2, when civilian car production had long ended, since Lagonda didn't want to refuse an important order, the company presidents car was refurbished and sold. the car was shipped from the factory in September 1940.
I was told earlier this month by a gentleman who is an author of several books on vintage Rolls Royce and others, that this may be the last civilian car, certainly the last sports car exported out of England till the war ended.
To be confirmed by experts, but the last Lagonda may have been the Baroda / Bhogilal car. Believe it was created from existing parts, since production had stopped; and the original car was lost at sea before delivery.

I do not have any chassis numbers, so this might just be a fairy tale!
travancore is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 24th March 2015, 17:42   #960
BHPian
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 580
Thanked: 476 Times
Re: How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Quote:
Originally Posted by travancore View Post
To be confirmed by experts, but the last Lagonda may have been the Baroda / Bhogilal car. Believe it was created from existing parts, since production had stopped; and the original car was lost at sea before delivery.

I do not have any chassis numbers, so this might just be a fairy tale!
the bhogilal car is chassis# 14097, my car is #14096, both are 1939 cars coincidently just one chassis apart, but my car was not built for export. it was shipped out much later. lagonda v12s were built into early 1940 from existing parts, those chassis numbers are 141xx for the SWB cars. the swb chassis numbers start at 14010.
awini is offline   (3) Thanks
Reply

Most Viewed


Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks