[allana13]

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[funkykar]

Behram Sir: Thanks for giving such valuable information about Padmini, which no one else could have given!

[shivshanker]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Shivshanker - the simple answer to your question is - YES. Local garages have lots of time at their disposal, they can build a body part by tinkering. For example, the complete headlight mounting interfaces on the front fenders of my super-select are hand tinkered. Even the headlight ring fixing bracket design is changed, these are made by me and fitted otherwise you just cannot get such perfect interfaces. It took me 4 days to complete just two headlight mountings. Please see the photograph, you will not be able to make it out but if you open the bonnet and see, you will realize the effort which has gone in. Factory cannot work like this. In production at the rate of 60 cars per day at that time, soldering was the only option.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Dear Behram Ji,

Thank you for the insight, two questions

1. for a newbie toying with the idea of restoring a Permier to "Parinda" fame.. I guess it is just a matter of time, money and the right skills on the part of the tinker'er, combined with right guidance (from experts like you) to get the right mountings.

2. slightly off topic, with so many Premiers Taxi's plying the Bombay roads... why are Fiat lovers seeking pre owned beauties rather than picking up a black and yellow for 15-20K Rs. ?

[allana13]

Originally Posted by shivshanker

Dear Behram Ji,

Thank you for the insight, two questions

1. for a newbie toying with the idea of restoring a Permier to "Parinda" fame.. I guess it is just a matter of time, money and the right skills on the part of the tinker'er, combined with right guidance (from experts like you) to get the right mountings.

2. slightly off topic, with so many Premiers Taxi's plying the Bombay roads... why are Fiat lovers seeking pre owned beauties rather than picking up a black and yellow for 15-20K Rs. ?

You have a point there.

Next time i am in mumbai i am going to get my hands on one

[altoman]

Dear Karthik & Arun,

That is an outstanding restoration job done. And yes, this thread of yours will be used by me more often than not. After seeing your pictures my family is pressuring me to paint my car in this colour only. Thanks a lot for the no. of pictures you have put up for the benefit of others.

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by altoman

Dear Karthik & Arun,

That is an outstanding restoration job done. And yes, this thread of yours will be used by me more often than not. After seeing your pictures my family is pressuring me to paint my car in this colour only. Thanks a lot for the no. of pictures you have put up for the benefit of others.

Thanks for the compliments.

Restore your car just like how it looked when new as in the pics. Behram Sir will help you in identifying the model and color of your Padmini! Waiting for more updates on your thread!

[Karthik1100]

Taking my wifey for a drive in Arun's car.

[funkykar]

Behram Sir,

Can you please confirm about Economy Model features:

1. Did Economy model in 1991 have Reverse lights?
Arun's car had the reverse lamps as per the old pics and also has original wire for the reverse lamps.

2. Did the windshield beading have the aluminium inserts in them?

Kindly guide us Sir.

[shivshanker]

Originally Posted by funkykar

To sum up, the total costs incurred:

• Tinkering: Rs. 25,000
• Painting: Rs. 15,000
• Mechanic: Rs. 12,000
• Spares: Rs. 18,000
• Electrician: Rs. 1000
• Upholstery: Rs. 5000
• Miscellaneous: Rs. 5000

Highlights of the Restoration:

• Started in August 2009, the restoration was completed in July 2012. The reason for delay is personal commitments and to get dates with the tinkers and mechanics. The car was safely parked at Arun's home when the car was not worked upon.
  
• The restoration was done at garages near to Arun's home in Jayamahal, he knew them personally since almost two decades. As they say, a known devil is better than an unknown angel.. LOL
  
• Arun was personally very involved in the entire restoration. Even work was done in the presence of Arun. The people who worked upon the car were kind enough to work as per Arun's guidelines.
  
• The outcome of the restoration is good if not fantastic. But Arun is surely content with the outcome and happy that it's finally complete and back on road!!

Thanksgiving time!

Special thanks to all those professionals who worked with extra interest, Team-FCB, PAVAN KADAM, FCCCI - Pune, FCCC Mumbai, FCCH, FCL, FCK, FB Fiatians, Team-Bhpians and team-Bhp!
and heartful thanks to BEHRAM DHABHAR Sirji for giving us so much knowledge about FIATs. Thanks a ton BD Sir. I'm sure you will love this FIAT as it looks very similar to your rally FIAT MMY 43!!! Arun got to know many details of his FIAT, like the color name, uniqueness of the ECONOMY model, all because of you Sir.

That a ton of information there, in your detailed write up.. I did not see u cover the suspension and the Radiator restoration part.

also under the wheel flares have u put in rubber paint.

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by shivshanker

I did not see u cover the suspension and the Radiator restoration part.

The car is a very sparingly driven car for 22 years. Totally drive till date is 35120 kms.

The shock absorbers and the leaf springs had no issue at all. All that was done was cleaned and painted the suspension parts with new rubber bushes everywhere.

also under the wheel flares have u put in rubber paint.

The wheel wells were coated with Asian Paint's pitch and painted two coats of Aspa paint on it.

[allana13]

Can any one suggest a Good Garage in Bombay (AKA Mumbai) than can do work to such a high standard and not break the bank ?

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by allana13

Can any one suggest a Good Garage in Bombay (AKA Mumbai) than can do work to such a high standard and not break the bank ?

I don't think there will be any such garage who will do high standard work for less price. You need to find workmen who knows good job and get work done by paying them a little more than normal. All such people wont be at one place though. So you need to hunt for a good tinker, painter, mechanic across various garages..

[hillram]

The body coloured bumpers look awesome and they break the mundaneness of chrome.Im going to try the same experiment when i acquire a Premier Padmini (an S1 preferably) soon.

[shivshanker]

Originally Posted by allana13

Can any one suggest a Good Garage in Bombay (AKA Mumbai) than can do work to such a high standard and not break the bank ?

allan A, do you have a PP or a Fiat in Bombay, are u planning on restoring one or searching for one to be restored.

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by hillram

The body coloured bumpers look awesome and they break the mundaneness of chrome.Im going to try the same experiment when i acquire a Premier Padmini (an S1 preferably) soon.

Ram, the white color bumpers was not cos of mundaneness or any experiment; but because this model of Padmini featured body colored bumpers.