[bikertillidie]

I have been reading through the various Premier Padmini restoration threads on this forum for almost a year. I was hooked for good but held back due to various reasons.

I finally gave in. After a prolonged search, managed to find a Premier Padmini Petrol car in Pune in decent nick. After a bit of haggling, the deal was closed and I drove the car home on 28-Jul-13.

As expected, Mrs threw a tantrum when she saw the old rust bucket rumble down the driveway.

Here are a few pics.

[bikertillidie]

03-Aug - Car underwent a service.

All lubes were replaced - engine oil 3.5l Castrol 20W50, gearbox & differential lubes were also replaced with SAE90 gear oil.

Radiator hoses were replaced with new ones. After flushing the radiator, it was filled with coolant. The fan belt will undergo replacement soon.

Visited a road side mechanic near Gadital - he operates a greasing gun run off a compressor powered by a diesel motor. Grease (ordinary lithium based variety, not chassis grease) was applied with his help. Will need to locate a place where chassis grease is available.

Suspension bushings need replacement as the squeaks still remain.

Visited Kalapana Motors at Nanapeth in the evening and bought a load of spares. VIR bushes were located and would be duly installed.

Goldseal windscreen beading has been ordered and is expected on Mon 05-Aug.

04-Aug - Replaced rear left brake/tail lamp with a new one. Faulty earthing was corrected.

Removed the speedometer assembly & the ammeter myself and have left it at Green Meters Nanapeth for repairs. Hopefully will get it fixed by Mon/Tue.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

As expected, Mrs threw a tantrum when she saw the old rust bucket rumble down the driveway.

How is this a rust bucket? Is a fine shapely car and can be a proud possession. Kindly elaborate more about this car and its history.

[Ravindra M]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

.... and I drove the car home on 28-Jul-13.

Congratulations for the decision. All the best for restoration.

"As expected, Mrs threw a tantrum when she saw... "

Why do I get a feeling of Deja Vu ?

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

After a prolonged search, managed to find a Premier Padmini Petrol car in Pune in decent nick. After a bit of haggling, the deal was closed and I drove the car home. As expected, Mrs threw a tantrum when she saw the old rust bucket rumble down the driveway.

Dear bikertillidie - that's a good car you have picked up. I would love to have a look, may I? I work in Pune only, please send me your contact number by PM, I will guide you in totality. PS - in my case, "Mrs" used to throw tantrums, but that stage has passed! .

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[sukiwa]

Good luck for your journey with PP.

Was this picked up from a dealer near PMC building in Shivajinagar area?

[bikertillidie]

Originally Posted by rajeev k

How is this a rust bucket? Is a fine shapely car and can be a proud possession. Kindly elaborate more about this car and its history.

Hi rajeev k,

These were the very words used by Mrs .

The doors & the floor pans are quite rusty (though not in the extreme sense). Some body work is needed. Engine cross-members are also rusty but can be salvaged.

I haven't inspected the underbody yet, will need to find a place having a hydraulic post.

But I do agree, it' not too bad overall.

Thanks for your complement about the car being fine and shapely.

Originally Posted by Ravindra M

Congratulations for the decision. All the best for restoration.

"As expected, Mrs threw a tantrum when she saw... "

Why do I get a feeling of Deja Vu ?

Dear Ravindra M,

I have heard the same lectures with every car that I purchased.
Before Mrs came along, it used to be my parents

I guess I will just need to ride out the "storm"

Originally Posted by sukiwa

Good luck for your journey with PP.

Was this picked up from a dealer near PMC building in Shivajinagar area?

Hi sukiwa,

You are correct. Had chanced upon his ad on olx.

His name is Shafique Mistry and runs a garage near Shahi Masjid..


Dear Mr. Dhabhar,

My newbie status doesn't permit me to send PMs. My cellphone number is 7798983621.

I would be grateful for any assistance/guidance you are able to provide.

Regards.


Moderator's Note: Do not make so many back to back posts. Use the Multiquote option to respond to multiple people. Spend some time in the announcements section of this board to get acquainted with the rules of the board.

All the back to back posts have been merged.

[bikertillidie]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear bikertillidie - that's a good car you have picked up. I would love to have a look, may I? I work in Pune only, please send me your contact number by PM, I will guide you in totality. PS - in my case, "Mrs" used to throw tantrums, but that stage has passed! .

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Sure Mr. Dhabar.

Am merely waiting for the speedometer/ammeter to be back after repairs. Too many wires hanging loose currently, hence do not wish to drive the car in this state.

BTW, Mrs' mood hasn't improved much. Waiting for the situation to improve a bit before commencing work on the car.

Originally Posted by rajeev k

Kindly elaborate more about this car and its history.

Dear rajeev k, the vehicle was occasionally used a taxi till '95 before being purchased by the second owner. Since then, it has been used as a personal vehicle. I am the third owner.

Owing to the recent series of incidents at Pune RTO, haven't had the chance to initiate ownership transfer. Will do so after undertaking restoration of the vehicle.

09-Aug - A few more updates.

• Have managed to secure windscreen beadings manufactured by ALP.
• MSL clutch plates/pressure plates
• Clutch release bearing

Intend to begin work on the car after Eid.

[bikertillidie]

10 - Aug - Visited Shetty Motor Stores in Mumbai. Managed to nail a few spares which were proving hard to find in Pune.

Finally, work on the car can begin in full earnest.

[bikertillidie]

14-Aug - Dropped off the car at Javed miyaan's garage for denting/paint job.

Various trims/bumpers were removed from the car. Will visit again on 15-Aug to monitor progress.

15 - Aug - Car has been stripped clean of most trims. Damaged areas have been circled off with a marker. Iqbal has started working on the body. I
attach a few pictures.

Some perforations were observed. The support for the boot lid seems damaged.

Have also received the instrument cluster from Nanapeth after due repairs to the odometer. The original odometer reading has been left untouched.

Ammeter could not be repaired. Will need to procure a new one/old one in working condition. Pity

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Technical Stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[bikertillidie]

17 - Aug - Managed to locate an ammeter and an elusive "Deluxe BE" monogram for the trunk lid.

Purchased 3 litres of Zinc phosphate primer (J&N) & turpentine oil from the camp area (Navnitlal & Sons, Sachapir Road).

Hopefully, this would provide some amount of galvanic protection.

Bodywork is progressing at a really fast pace. Seats & interior trim was removed from the car today. Floor pans show little rust and probably requires some sanding & wire brush for clean-up.

Roof has a couple of dents which would be attended to on Mon/Tue next week. Hopefully paintwork can commence from next weekend.

Posting a few pictures showing progress.

[iVento]

Nice possession bikertillidie. Congratulations!

Personally I like this car. My brother had the same model before he bought Maruti 800. I remember the car had given him sleepless nights & headaches

We are eager to know the progress of the work on day to day basis. Kindly update regularly.

[bikertillidie]

Originally Posted by iVento

Nice possession bikertillidie. Congratulations!

Personally I like this car.

Thanks for your comments iVento.

Originally Posted by iVento

My brother had the same model before he bought Maruti 800. I remember the car had given him sleepless nights & headaches

Could you please elaborate?

Originally Posted by iVento

We are eager to know the progress of the work on day to day basis. Kindly update regularly.

Sure, will try my best to share regular updates.

[saket77]

Nice acquisistion bikertillidie. It's a relatively newer model of the Padmini (single piece front windows). I remember how I used to drool over them when young, though we had a Fiat 1100 Delight; a pretty older model than this one.
Good luck for your restoration. If the execution is good, it really has the potential to be a head turner in the city. Planning for which colour?