[karlosdeville]

As late as 1949, it seems Ford had assembly operations in 3 parts of the country - Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Fascinating, I wonder what the degree of assembly was. I wonder if the kits went from 1 plant to the other 2.

[karlosdeville]

From a 1968 publication called "Automobile Facts & Figures".



Interestingly enough it lists a car called the Standard Champion - any idea what this was? Or just a typo? I have never come across a mention otherwise.

[travancore]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

From a 1968 publication called "Automobile Facts & Figures".

Attachment 1649748

Interestingly enough it lists a car called the Standard Champion - any idea what this was? Or just a typo? I have never come across a mention otherwise.

You read my mind Karl! I believe Studebaker Champions were assembled in India.

[Mohammed4rmhyd]

Originally Posted by travancore

You read my mind Karl! I believe Studebaker Champions were assembled in India.

Can it be STANDARD COMPANION?

[ajay99]

Originally Posted by Mohammed4rmhyd

Can it be STANDARD COMPANION?

NO, standard companion is already there in the list

[travancore]

Morris Motors, ca 1946. An "export" model on the assembly line. I am surprised at the spelling, not "HindustHan"

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by travancore

Attachment 1649978
Morris Motors, ca 1946. An "export" model on the assembly line.

Wow Prem, you made my day. The cars were always advertised with a strong nationalist streak - I was under the impression they were made here - or perhaps the earliest ones were fully imported. I remember seeing Morris as well as Hindustan ID plates on 10a.

Originally Posted by travancore

I am surprised at the spelling, not "HindustHan"

I think Hindusthan came later on, and then reverted to Hindustan.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Here is another ad from P B Press & Sons dated 1934
Attachment 1585158

Another ad for P B Press's coachbuilding services.

[karlosdeville]

To put to end any confusion on the exact introduction dates of the Landmaster



The car was previewed to the press on December 27th 1954 at the CCI in Bombay, and prices at Rs. 10,475 ex plant.

[KartikeyaL]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I recently found a 1966 issue of the Illustrated weekly of India, and came across this neat article on the Arvind car

Some pictures were shared on FB by Aravind automobiles page, the car is awaiting restoration.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by KartikeyaL

Some pictures were shared on FB by Aravind automobiles page, the car is awaiting restoration.

The windscreen looks like the rear glass of the Herald, incidentally!

[karlosdeville]

The only advertisement I have come across so for for the Aravind, courtesy the superb Heritage Transport Museum in Delhi.

[karlosdeville]

Probably best suited to this thread - probably a landmark in car transport history for a mainstream manufacturer

[V.Narayan]

In the early 1990s I transported my Premier Padmini from Bombay to Delhi in an Indian Airlines Airbus A300. The cargo hold below the passenger deck was large enough to put a 4 metre car in (on a raft). It was the way to shift cars if you didn't want any scratches. It cost a wee bit but I don't recall how much. And I must say because it was a special cargo consignment the Indian Airlines team was customer centric and efficient.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

As late as 1949, it seems Ford had assembly operations in 3 parts of the country - Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Fascinating, I wonder what the degree of assembly was. I wonder if the kits went from 1 plant to the other 2.

I remember being told that George Oakes(?) was the dealer/distributor for these cars in Madras. Not sure if they did the assembly too.