Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India

karlosdeville · 23rd July 2018, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartcat

Many years ago, I spotted Scootacar and Sail Badal in a quiet residential area here in Bangalore. Of course, I didn't know what they were then. But now I know (thanks to this thread)! Both vehicles seemed to be in excellent condition.

Wow - another one turns up, and that too in such great condition. Lovely! Did you take any more pictures?

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin

The image seems to be incorrect.
Some photos of the car are below. This car was way ahead of the market.

I contributed to the powertrain design of this car as part of my electrical engineering degree.

Thanks for sharing - this is exactly the kind of updates I was hoping for! How many were made?

Quote:

Originally Posted by octane1002

Excellent thread Karl!

You've missed out on the Chinkara though.

I did make a mention of it, but just didn't go into detail - being more recent its already been covered before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

More recently there have been so many more, like...

Kajah Motors Kazwa - the MPV proposal
Quantam - the convertible sports car proposal
Kinetic City Car - planned liason with a French company
San Storm - perhaps India's first locally produced (full scale) convertible (at least in recent times)
Chinkara roadsters - mostly hand made on discarded Herald chassis

Further reading here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

For some years, Escorts went about exhibiting a car. Any details?

The Bond motorcycle?

Haven't heard of the Escorts project - independent or collaboration? Now that you mention I remember reading something about it in Gautam's book.

The BSA Bond - yes, I forgot about that. Was it a wholly Indian creation? Or built under license?

SmartCat · 23rd July 2018, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Wow - another one turns up, and that too in such great condition. Lovely! Did you take any more pictures?

Well, no. But this guy's place is just 6 km from where I stay. I will drive down one of these days to check. However, I'm not sure if he still has the cars - I took this photo way back in 2004!

peterjim13 · 23rd July 2018, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin

The image seems to be incorrect.
Some photos of the car are below. This car was way ahead of the market.
Attachment 1782914
Attachment 1782913

Was this car made / pictures shot in Kerala.

The picture with 2 cars looks like some place I know.

While the female model in the second picture resembles Cine Actress Divya Unni - to me.

Any info on this, since you worked on this project back then ?

Just out of curiosity !

arjithin · 23rd July 2018, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Thanks for sharing - this is exactly the kind of updates I was hoping for! How many were made?

To the best of my knowledge, none was released into market other than the few prototypes made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterjim13

Was this car made / pictures shot in Kerala.

The picture with 2 cars looks like some place I know.

While the female model in the second picture resembles Cine Actress Divya Unni - to me.

Any info on this, since you worked on this project back then ?

Just out of curiosity !

Yes, the first pic is shot in Kerala. I believe it was shot at this location 10°19'27.4"N 76°18'45.1"E which is the top of a local hill called 'Urumban kunne'. Its next to their factory. I can recognize this place as we used to play at this ground.

Not sure about the female model

karlosdeville · 23rd July 2018, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin

The image seems to be incorrect.
Some photos of the car are below. This car was way ahead of the market.

It seems we already had one on the forum that hadn't been identified

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...ml#post3339491

autotranny · 23rd July 2018, 15:05

Here is an internet article on Kazwa, India's first MPV.

http://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/f...v-kajah-kazwa/

I have seen this very car in the early 90s ; a member of the promoter family was in my school and the car has come there a couple of times for pick-up. It looked far ahead of its times, and has also featured in a Malayalam movie Harikrishnans. However, like the article mentions, the promoters did not have the industry experience and eventually this car never made it to production.

A couple of years later, Toyota launched the Qualis and redefined the MPV segement in the country. On a side note, the Kajah family are absolutely nuts about automobiles and have a great collection of cars including Maserati, Subaru Imprezza etc. They have also created Dune buggies and convertibles from old Maruti 800s, for children of the household to learn driving.

peterjim13 · 23rd July 2018, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin

To the best of my knowledge, none was released into market other than the few prototypes made.

Yes, the first pic is shot in Kerala. I believe it was shot at this location 10°19'27.4"N 76°18'45.1"E which is the top of a local hill called 'Urumban kunne'. Its next to their factory. I can recognize this place as we used to play at this ground.

Not sure about the female model

Just realized this is very close to Chalakudi, and in fact the place name is Eddypuram.

So it looks like my guess is right about the Actress

It seems, they also made Indias first Electric Microwave

arjithin · 23rd July 2018, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterjim13

Just realized this is very close to Chalakudi, and in fact the place name is Eddypuram.

So it looks like my guess is right about the Actress

It seems, they also made Indias first Electric Microwave

You will see the name Eddypuram only in the company materials...

KPS · 23rd July 2018, 17:22

Thanks Karl for this awesome thread. Great detailing, probably something only you could have done.

The Jayaram Special was another one-off, which set the race tracks ablaze.

More details in the link below

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...ml#post4172818

Cheers

KPS

Sutripta · 23rd July 2018, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Haven't heard of the Escorts project - independent or collaboration? Now that you mention I remember reading something about it in Gautam's book.

The BSA Bond - yes, I forgot about that. Was it a wholly Indian creation? Or built under license?

No idea of the details.

One day, parked next to my car, I suddenly find a SAN Storm. This was 2012. So not all were scrapped!

Regards
Sutripta

sharoncr_17 · 24th July 2018, 09:05

Kawza from Kerala based ‘beedi’ manufacturer Rajah Group were the aboriginals roaming our jungles long before the advent of Toyotas and Nissans. The styling had cues from Renault Esapace and the powertrain was sourced from HM.

RedRaider · 24th July 2018, 12:43

I have seen a Kazwa in Pune, sometime after 1992 definitely, perhaps as late as 1995 ( ? ). I remember the date because I used to see it frequently for quite a few months near my home, parked in a lane off Paud Road. We shifted to this locality in 1992 and hence am sure about the date.

At that time, it was a novelty and I remember someone telling me that it was a car developed by Rajah Motors from Kerala. Was pleasantly surprised to hear that it was an indigenous design and effort. I really wished the effort success as it was really a looker compared to other cars available then.

But , after those few months, I never saw the car again...

ashwin1224 · 24th July 2018, 13:05

It is such an interesting topic karlosdevil. All these attempts make me wonder, how difficult is it for an individual with money to start their own boutique car company? Many coach builders and modification houses have enought know-how on how to mix and match engines chassis components and fabricate good quality body panels, then why dont have have Indian cars like the RUF or RWB?

ajay99 · 24th July 2018, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin

To the best of my knowledge, none was released into market other than the few prototypes made.

Yes, the first pic is shot in Kerala. I believe it was shot at this location 10°19'27.4"N 76°18'45.1"E which is the top of a local hill called 'Urumban kunne'. Its next to their factory. I can recognize this place as we used to play at this ground.

Not sure about the female model

That is actress DIVYA UNNI in her younger days!

Steeroid · 24th July 2018, 20:24

Karl

You have to include the story of the Kazwa, also sporting KL plates like a lot of the local efforts showcased here:

http://expressindia.indianexpress.co...19955084p.html

https://bharathautos.com/pastout-raj...-ever-mpv.html

http://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/f...v-kajah-kazwa/

Loosely based on the Renault Espace which was the inspiration, with a locally turbocharged version of HM's Isuzu diesel powerplant, locally designed chassis and fiberglass body.

23rd July 2018, 15:05	#21
autotranny BHPian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hyd, Thrissur Posts: 404 Thanked: 439 Times	Re: Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India Here is an internet article on Kazwa, India's first MPV. http://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/f...v-kajah-kazwa/ I have seen this very car in the early 90s ; a member of the promoter family was in my school and the car has come there a couple of times for pick-up. It looked far ahead of its times, and has also featured in a Malayalam movie Harikrishnans. However, like the article mentions, the promoters did not have the industry experience and eventually this car never made it to production. A couple of years later, Toyota launched the Qualis and redefined the MPV segement in the country. On a side note, the Kajah family are absolutely nuts about automobiles and have a great collection of cars including Maserati, Subaru Imprezza etc. They have also created Dune buggies and convertibles from old Maruti 800s, for children of the household to learn driving.
	(5) Thanks

23rd July 2018, 17:22	#24
KPS Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,756 Thanked: 11,502 Times View My Garage	Re: Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India Thanks Karl for this awesome thread. Great detailing, probably something only you could have done. The Jayaram Special was another one-off, which set the race tracks ablaze. More details in the link below http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...ml#post4172818 Cheers KPS
	(1) Thanks

24th July 2018, 09:05	#26
sharoncr_17 BHPian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Terra firma Posts: 375 Thanked: 299 Times	Re: Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India Kawza from Kerala based ‘beedi’ manufacturer Rajah Group were the aboriginals roaming our jungles long before the advent of Toyotas and Nissans. The styling had cues from Renault Esapace and the powertrain was sourced from HM. Attached Thumbnails
	(9) Thanks

24th July 2018, 12:43	#27
RedRaider BHPian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Pune Posts: 98 Thanked: 122 Times	Re: Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India I have seen a Kazwa in Pune, sometime after 1992 definitely, perhaps as late as 1995 ( ? ). I remember the date because I used to see it frequently for quite a few months near my home, parked in a lane off Paud Road. We shifted to this locality in 1992 and hence am sure about the date. At that time, it was a novelty and I remember someone telling me that it was a car developed by Rajah Motors from Kerala. Was pleasantly surprised to hear that it was an indigenous design and effort. I really wished the effort success as it was really a looker compared to other cars available then. But , after those few months, I never saw the car again... Last edited by RedRaider : 24th July 2018 at 12:44.
	(1) Thanks

24th July 2018, 13:05	#28
ashwin1224 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nagpur Posts: 271 Thanked: 520 Times	Re: Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India It is such an interesting topic karlosdevil. All these attempts make me wonder, how difficult is it for an individual with money to start their own boutique car company? Many coach builders and modification houses have enought know-how on how to mix and match engines chassis components and fabricate good quality body panels, then why dont have have Indian cars like the RUF or RWB?
	() Thanks

24th July 2018, 20:24	#30
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Re: Indigenous Oddities - Oddball Automobiles of India Karl You have to include the story of the Kazwa, also sporting KL plates like a lot of the local efforts showcased here: http://expressindia.indianexpress.co...19955084p.html https://bharathautos.com/pastout-raj...-ever-mpv.html http://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/f...v-kajah-kazwa/ Loosely based on the Renault Espace which was the inspiration, with a locally turbocharged version of HM's Isuzu diesel powerplant, locally designed chassis and fiberglass body. Last edited by Steeroid : 24th July 2018 at 20:26.
	(4) Thanks