No-frills road trip in the Janta car.

Rough Square · 18th May 2009, 22:46

When I read in the paper that MUL would phase out Maruti 800 some time soon, I had this unexplainable urge to go on a road trip in a Maruti 800 - the car that revolutionised the way Indian families travelled.
I always liked this small car. I still remember the day when I came back from school and saw my Dad standing next to a spanking new Premier Padmini, and I secretly wished that he had bought a Maruti 800 instead. We later on had a Zen, but never the 800.

It was almost curtain time for the 800. So, the decision was made. Two hours and two dozen phone calls later, I had everything ready, 2 friends for company and an old, 4 speed, carburetor Maruti 800. No AC, no power steering, no power windows, no electrically operated ORVMs, no fancy ergonomically seats, basically just the skin and bone of a car.

The idea was simple - Tank up, just keep driving. In case we got lost - we had one of those high-funda mobile phones which promised to guide us back (just that none of us were really tech savvy and we couldn't figure out as to how to use the feature. Ended up with us sticking our head out of the window and asking - Saar, ee road yellige hoguthe {Sir, where does this road lead to}).

Let the pictures describe the trip......

The ride

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-63.jpg

Understanding the road signs

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-73.jpg

At one of the break points

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-79.jpg

Forest fires that we came across

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-95.jpg

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-98.jpg

One recognisable location we reached

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-dsc00778.jpg

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-p8300006.jpg

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-pa050011.jpg

Our individual expressions when the car broke down (case of engine overheating)

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-picture1.jpg

No-frills road trip in the Janta car.-picture2.jpg

prince_pervez · 18th May 2009, 22:51

He He .. nice travelogue! No start point, no destination decided. Nice. When do we get to read more. I'm all eyes.

StarVegabond · 18th May 2009, 22:55

Hi Rough Square,

You appear to be in the nostalgic mood. Great idea. i really appreciate the fact the you have friends who are ready to travel with you in such a short notice. You are a lucky one.

From where you got the car ?, did you / any of your friends own it ?

Great pictures, you appear to have lit the Nagarhole national park on fire by your drive. It reminded me the movie GHOST RIDER.

post more details on your drive and fun all of you had.

Roy.S · 18th May 2009, 23:24

I used to have an 800 and have taken quite a few trips in it. The first time I climbed up the 36 hairpin bends to ooty in my 800 is an experience I will never forget. I still wish I had not sold it.
Great pics. Post some more if possible.

But.. I do feel its never a good idea to sit on the bonnet of an 800 (or any maruti for that matter). My friend's Alto has a butt shaped dent on the bonnet.

WanderNomad · 19th May 2009, 00:38

Hey buddy, a non AC car should generally not overheat. Anyways nice log. I dont like you guys keeping your foot with chappal on the car in the third pic (no offence, personal opinion).

pranava999 · 19th May 2009, 00:55

Good stuff. Waiting for more.

MileCruncher · 19th May 2009, 08:15

hey Rough Square, good stuff. So I guess you went to Nagarhole and Bandipur. Looking forward to more pics.

ASHISHPALLOD · 19th May 2009, 09:43

Quote:

@roy.s---I do feel its never a good idea to sit on the bonnet of an 800

Quote:

@wandernomad--I dont like you guys keeping your foot with chappal on the car in the third pic

I agree with you guys.
Its not good idea to sit on bonnet or chappal on the car.
On dashahara and diwali, we do pujas to worship the car goddess.

No offense.

pjay_in · 19th May 2009, 10:24

The car looks good, the description notwithstanding. I love to drive M800s that respond to the pedal well, all other features are secondary.

Tried an Alto recently and found the driver's leg room to be lacking. M800 is much better there.

And how many times have I locked myself out of an M800! Before learning the trick to avoid this situation, I mastered the art of opening the driver's door with a scale or anything flat and long (it's helpful if there is a kitchen nearby).

Good report, Rough Square. Keep the pics coming..

esteem_lover · 19th May 2009, 11:46

Nice trip Rough Square. That M-800 looks like a recent model. Have you repainted it ?

Rough Square · 19th May 2009, 14:29

Hi all, thanks.

Like many of you pointed out, I would never keep my feet on or sit on the bonnet of my personal car. This car belonged to friend's - friend's - friend (who hardly uses this one).

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

Great pictures, you appear to have lit the Nagarhole national park on fire by your drive.

I really wish I could do something about the forest fire, but the forest officials themselves claimed helpless

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

hey Rough Square, good stuff. So I guess you went to Nagarhole and Bandipur.

Hmmm, somewhere in that direction

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

Nice trip Rough Square. That M-800 looks like a recent model. Have you repainted it ?

I really don't know.

esteem_lover · 19th May 2009, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rough Square

Hi all, thanks.

Like many of you pointed out, I would never keep my feet on or sit on the bonnet of my personal car. This car belonged to friend's - friend's - friend (who hardly uses this one).

This is even worse. You are supposed to treat others' property even more carefully than yours. Sorry Rough, this is certainly not on.

vdiatech · 19th May 2009, 17:36

sad to see forest fire, i hope it wasnt started by a human being .

Rough Square · 20th May 2009, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

This is even worse. You are supposed to treat others' property even more carefully than yours. Sorry Rough, this is certainly not on.

You have me cornered here. I really don't know what to say.

MileCruncher · 20th May 2009, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rough Square

You have me cornered here. I really don't know what to say.

Chill bro, I'm definitely sure, everyone is pulling your leg

18th May 2009, 22:46	#1
Rough Square BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 100 Thanked: 2 Times	No-frills road trip in the Janta car. When I read in the paper that MUL would phase out Maruti 800 some time soon, I had this unexplainable urge to go on a road trip in a Maruti 800 - the car that revolutionised the way Indian families travelled. I always liked this small car. I still remember the day when I came back from school and saw my Dad standing next to a spanking new Premier Padmini, and I secretly wished that he had bought a Maruti 800 instead. We later on had a Zen, but never the 800. It was almost curtain time for the 800. So, the decision was made. Two hours and two dozen phone calls later, I had everything ready, 2 friends for company and an old, 4 speed, carburetor Maruti 800. No AC, no power steering, no power windows, no electrically operated ORVMs, no fancy ergonomically seats, basically just the skin and bone of a car. The idea was simple - Tank up, just keep driving. In case we got lost - we had one of those high-funda mobile phones which promised to guide us back (just that none of us were really tech savvy and we couldn't figure out as to how to use the feature. Ended up with us sticking our head out of the window and asking - Saar, ee road yellige hoguthe {Sir, where does this road lead to}). Let the pictures describe the trip...... The ride Understanding the road signs At one of the break points Forest fires that we came across One recognisable location we reached Our individual expressions when the car broke down (case of engine overheating)
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 22:51	#2
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,210 Thanked: 51 Times View My Garage	He He .. nice travelogue! No start point, no destination decided. Nice. When do we get to read more. I'm all eyes.
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 22:55	#3
StarVegabond Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,891 Thanked: 42 Times	Hi Rough Square, You appear to be in the nostalgic mood. Great idea. i really appreciate the fact the you have friends who are ready to travel with you in such a short notice. You are a lucky one. From where you got the car ?, did you / any of your friends own it ? Great pictures, you appear to have lit the Nagarhole national park on fire by your drive. It reminded me the movie GHOST RIDER. post more details on your drive and fun all of you had.
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 23:24	#4
Roy.S BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 707 Thanked: 946 Times	I used to have an 800 and have taken quite a few trips in it. The first time I climbed up the 36 hairpin bends to ooty in my 800 is an experience I will never forget. I still wish I had not sold it. Great pics. Post some more if possible. But.. I do feel its never a good idea to sit on the bonnet of an 800 (or any maruti for that matter). My friend's Alto has a butt shaped dent on the bonnet. Last edited by Roy.S : 18th May 2009 at 23:26. Reason: Wrong grammar
	() Thanks

19th May 2009, 00:38	#5
WanderNomad BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 271 Thanked: 11 Times	Hey buddy, a non AC car should generally not overheat. Anyways nice log. I dont like you guys keeping your foot with chappal on the car in the third pic (no offence, personal opinion).
	() Thanks

19th May 2009, 00:55	#6
pranava999 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 845 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	Good stuff. Waiting for more.
	() Thanks

19th May 2009, 08:15	#7
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	hey Rough Square, good stuff. So I guess you went to Nagarhole and Bandipur. Looking forward to more pics.
	() Thanks

19th May 2009, 10:24	#9
pjay_in BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 396 Thanked: 20 Times	The car looks good, the description notwithstanding. I love to drive M800s that respond to the pedal well, all other features are secondary. Tried an Alto recently and found the driver's leg room to be lacking. M800 is much better there. And how many times have I locked myself out of an M800! Before learning the trick to avoid this situation, I mastered the art of opening the driver's door with a scale or anything flat and long (it's helpful if there is a kitchen nearby). Good report, Rough Square. Keep the pics coming.. Last edited by pjay_in : 19th May 2009 at 10:36.
	() Thanks

19th May 2009, 11:46	#10
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Nice trip Rough Square. That M-800 looks like a recent model. Have you repainted it ?
	() Thanks

19th May 2009, 17:36	#13
vdiatech BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 10 Times	sad to see forest fire, i hope it wasnt started by a human being .
	() Thanks