Here's something for somewhat a surprise! Now, had I posted only the pics. in this post, most of you would've thought I should've posted in 'rust in pieces' thread..!
But make no mistake guys, this car is not a qualifier for the above-mentioned thread but for this thread only!
This early 70s Standard Gazel has just been brought today to this garage (where I'm getting the Herald done up presently), for restoration!! Yes, you read right!! And no, it is neither bought nor being restored by me! Yes, you read right again!
This is incidentally an early example (1972-73), with some of the features carried forward from it's predecessor, the 4-door (mk3) Herald, namely the forward-hinged bonnet and the 'Herald type' door handles. The fuel tank cover is an owner-added mod though.
The garage guys tell me this car is actually a 1-family owned car from new, owned by an old customer of theirs. Hence they are quite familiar with it, although it was in much better condition when they had last seen it (atleast 10 yrs ago!)
They tell me that the owner had stopped using the car after the family buying a couple of newer cars and had left it lying in the compound of their apartment building. I reckon the lack of spares/proper mechanics available was also a reason for the car's disuse. They had intended to get it 'done up' (when that was all that it had required then) some time ago, but kept procrastinating due to some construction activity going on with their building until recently. During this time, the car, which seemed to have been left unprotected and unguarded, sadly got extensively ravaged by nature as well as by vandals/pilferers!
The owner then got to know of this garage guy through a relative of his who got his car (SS80) done up here, and immediately came to them requesting vehemently that they take up this car to restore. Him being an old customer, they obliged. I'm told the owner is willing to spend any amount and do whatever it takes to get the car restored, and this is one thing I really admire, that they have still not given up hope despite the extent of damage on the car- with or without their negligence. Especially given that so many of the original fittings are lost and next to impossible to trace now, even in the scrap markets here! No question of importing them either, as the Gazel was entirely an Indian-made car.
OTOH, it sounds really ironical to think that many such cars around Hyd. in MUCH better conditions, in fact nearly pristine examples, with up-to-date documents etc. were callously sold by their owners for a pittance to the scrappies and broken to bits a decade + ago! In fact this car brings to my memory a similar early Gazel in the same colour that was near to mint condition, scrapped around 10 years ago!
The garage guys are also to be admired for braving such a daunting task they will have to undergo on this project!
I told them I'm prepared to contribute in whatever way I can, considering I do happen to have a few bits needed for this car anyways, which I'll be too glad to let them have.
The car was brought in with borrowed rims, the front one being from jai's Herald. See the pic. to see what state the ones on the car were in!
Someone actually took the time and effort to completely smash down all the glass and the speedometer and even dash switches!! They must've been really bored even of themselves!
Interesting gearbox tunnel- the Gazel normally has a metal one with no "toffee tray" provision. This tpye of fibreglass tunnel came only on the Heralds, but this one doesnt seem to be a Herald's.
Original glovebox push-down knob/handle thankfully intact, note the shape of the Standard emblem!
Engine bay seems intact but for the air-filter:
Radiator-to-waterpump hose inhabited by rats!! Ewww!
What's left of the only original hubcap- it felt ready to crumble on my touch!
Anyone remember the Flintstones??
Here is one of the goodies I have needed for the car! This was from the scrapped Gazel I mentioned btw, glad I picked this up back then! I also had the "STANDARD" bonnet badge, which I gave to a friend for fitting on his car.