Team-BHP - Delhi Rally pictures from the 80s

I don't know about you guys but my heart seems to fill up with a deep sense of satisfaction and joy just looking at pictures of these magnificent automobiles here in India.

If only these cars could talk and tell us of the fabulous journeys they've been on or the times spent with their interesting owners!!!

cheers: Cheers to all those families who saved these cars and held on
despite trying times.

cheers: Double cheers to the men who laboured relentlessly to bring many a forsaken jewel back to life.

The time we spend chatting across these threads, sharing our experiences and pictures, is more like a celebration of the human spirit that manifests in a myriad ways through these magnificent automobiles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville (Post 738570)

Yup, the same Pierce, more here.
Long time no see - Take a bow - Business Standard Motoring

Here she is at a Pune rally a few years ago.

Jasdanwalla has a very similar car, Guj regd.

Never thought about the headlight config on these cars till you pointed it out. Perhaps for India they provided stronger lighting, necessitating different units altogether?

free standing lights were an option on these cars. the la salle is a Mandi state car, now in calcutta i believe..

Quote:

Originally Posted by awini (Post 738618)

the la salle is a Mandi state car, now in calcutta i believe..

Would you have better pictures of the car and info on its history? Many years ago I remember seeing a 27/28 rumble seat coupe LaSalle in Delhi rally pictures. Haven't seen that car since. Are you aware of any other LaSalle's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian UK (Post 740333)

As you mentioned Pratapgarh,in U.P. I think this is a very lovely Lanchester.

This lovely Lanchester I believe is still with the family, albeit in New Zealand. She was even present at Pebble Beach completing 50 years. (Or was this shot there itself?)

The car used to be parked in Pune, in Koregaon Park. My car upholstry guy, who's had his shop there for donkeys years, still has a gorgeous photo of himself standing next to the Lanchester when he had worked on it decades back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKG (Post 738556)

What an impressive machine the Pierce Arrow! No wonder the Americans proudly heralded their three P's, the Packard, Pierce Arrow and Peerless as rivals to the best from Europe.

Its interesting to note that unlike Pierce Arrows sold elsewhere the ones sold here in india had their headlamps free of the fenders. One of the most recognisable feature of the Pierce Arrow were the headlamp holders as integral part of fender design.

Would the red car be ex HH Jhabua now in the Mallya collection?

Further, the car immediately after the Arrow pictures is a LaSalle but there's something odd about it. The bumpers aren't typically LaSalle (more like a V16's) nor is the windshield. Split windscreen??? (I have a V16 picture with a similar split windscreen) Also the wheels seem from a post 1930 car. Could anyone throw some light on this?

We have a 1929 LaSalle in the family since new and there are obvious differences. Could the car in the pictures be a special order or a result of restoration work.

This LaSalle is a V8 1928 custom built car by Fleetwood. It has an original 3 top postion with triplex glass and is stamped by Fleetwood on the hood and on the body of the car. The winscreen is original and not the result of any restoration work. The car is presently with Saloo Choudhury in Calcutta since 1986.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farid Choudhury (Post 1224294)

Why haven't we seen this magnificent car at the Statesman Rally or Tolly Car Show?

This is the first time I have seen this thread, glad it was resurrected and some how want to find a way to promote Team Bhp in North America.

Quote:

Originally Posted by john a milne (Post 1224358)

The La Salle is in a great condition and in very safe hands. She was last seen in the rally of 1997 but on few occassions the car has been seen on the roads of calcutta as well. As i understand from the owner, she should been seen in some of the events by next year again. Mr Choudhury also has a 1908 Singer, a 1947 Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane, 1962 Chevy Impala SS (convertible), a Riley 2.5 lts racer from the fifties amongst other cars. He has recently picked up a very very original 1948 Morris 8 series E also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farid Choudhury (Post 1227215)

Hi Farid.

Is is possible that you are Mr. Chowdhury's son. I remember meeting his son when he was visiting Hyderabad. I took him to meet Rashid Bhai and to see various cars.

If I remember correctly he had mentioned about Mr. Choudhury also owning an Alpine Eagle Rolls Royce.

Any pics or info on this car would be delightfull.

Wasif

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farid Choudhury (Post 1230395)

The following photos are of the 1947 Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane, 1928 LaSalle and 1908 Singer. The Armstrong Siddeley has an aluminum body and is presently under restoration. Enjoy the photos.

Hi, I am very glad to see these pics. I have heard of these cars, never seen them as somehow I rarely come to Cal.
I believe that this Singer is unique in the world, the lone survivor. True?

The LaSalle (LS) is lovely too. How many are there left in India? The famous Hyderabad car, any more? There are two 1937's near Mumbai and one 1939/40 in Ahmedabad.
I know of one which ended up in tragedy. This was a green black car, around 1928 in original paint, almost unused, open tourer. It was picked up by an expat working for a multinational co in Pune. He dismantled the car and tried to take out in his personal baggage going out by sea while relocating. But before that he already took the grill, meters, and many such small parts. Something went wrong and all the boxes came back to the factory. These were picked up by an employee and brought to Bandra. This guy in Bandra contacted the expat but he did not respond.
A little later all the stuff went to Pasta Lane. Now I believe that she is assembled, lying in Indore and having a Cadillac grill. And mechanically still not complete. This happened around 1980.