[tapasvi.l]

We can all agree that owning premium cars like the German trio, JLR, Volvo, Porsche, etc. is very easy now and we don’t have to deal with many hassles like importing the car, paying customs, etc. because we have dealers and things are quite easy now to even import and there are many people to help with the hassles. And now a lot of people have money to own such premium cars and it’s not such a big burden to maintain the cars as well, there are tons of skilled mechanics and dealers are also available now so spares shouldn’t be a problem to procure.
But how exactly was the experience of owning a Mercedes, Audi, Rolls, BMW,etc. in the 60s to early 90s. Pretty sure not a lot of people could afford it and even the humble amby was a luxury and took ages to come after booking it. How was the experience for the people who imported the cars here? Pretty apparent that they were a class of their own. How much did they pay for everything? How was the experience of dealing with the conservative bureaucracy that time with unheard luxuries like a Mercedes that time? How was the experience of sourcing the spares those days? Who was repairing the cars even if you did manage to get the spares after getting it out of customs? How was the overall experience of owning such high end cars those days? Pretty sure it caught a lot of eyeballs, the auto market was dominated by Ambassador, Padmini and Fiat those days as we know. If someone in the forum heard tales or did have the good fortune to experience those level luxuries those days can you please share the tales?
Sure many royal families in India did have those cars and many run in pristine condition even today. But for the one lucky person who made it big on his own those days and could buy them how was the experience.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by tapasvi.l

But how exactly was the experience of owning a Mercedes, Audi, Rolls, BMW,etc. in the 60s to early 90s.

Extremely challenging.

From what I remember my Dad saying, it was impossible to source parts from here. Dad used to tell my uncle who lived in Germany to carry along parts on his bi-annual visits. Even stuff like wiper blades. Skilled labour was hard to find too. Dad was growing his business and had no time for the upkeep. It was a MAJOR time investment. After 6 - 7 years of using the Benz, it had some problems, he parked it in the garage and got busy with work. The car rusted into the ground (literally) and was sold to a scrap guy for 10,000 bucks many years later.

Even though he had the money for another import, he went and bought a custom-painted metallic green HM Ambassador as the replacement.

[Entsurgeon]

Why just 60s and 70s. It was difficult to procure parts until pretty late. I guess into late 90s. This was pre internet era and with complex electronic modular cars post 80s it was tough to even have right intel on repairs.
Older cars were simple and only challenge was to get parts.

[Gansan]

I remember our company President had a Jaguar during mid 80's-mid 90's. I forget the model now, but it had concealed headlights which will pop out by operating a switch, and had their own tiny wipers.

They used to bring special petrol for it in barrels from Bangalore, whenever lorries of a group company returned from there because it was not available in Chennai.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Gansan

I remember our company President had a Jaguar during mid 80's-mid 90's. I forget the model now, but it had concealed headlights which will pop out by operating a switch, and had their own tiny wipers.

They used to bring special petrol for it in barrels from Bangalore, whenever lorries of a group company returned from there because it was not available in Chennai.

I dont recollect any Jag with these kind of lights.


My dad was all set to bring over a custom made W114 Merc 220d from the UK. Complete with underfloor protection, speedometer reading in KM, tinted glass and topicalisation package. Our stuff came in two batches, the first was the domestic stuff and the second was to be his surgery equipment and the Mercedes.

The Mercedes never made it. We had bought an old Ambassador and got it repainted etc but within a month, it got scratched and he spoke to folks who mentioned how tough it was to get parts and also no mechanic did a proper job. I was upset but later on I realised that it would have been a pain, my dad suddenly died 3 years after moving back. I was yet to drive and my mother would not have any clue how to maintain it properly.

Some other facts, the car would be on a bond and getting the bond back after the period would be a challenge. The money that was to be spent on the Mercedes duties etc was invested and I had a nice nest egg to help me through my UK student days.

The Merc was sold to my Uncle. My dad did not lose much money on it as Mercs were imported on only order at the time. Having a Merc in the UK was little less exclusive than in India at the time.

Must add that my uncle in Kerala had an old Austin A40 Somerset and kept begging my dad for parts. Another relative in Kerala had a Hillman Minx, getting parts for that was a royal pain. We had to bring these parts in during our visits in the 1970s.