[wasif]

There is an interesting article on the Cartier event in the March 09 issue of "The Automobile".

It mentiones that the green Lancia Dilambda was once the property of the Raja of Gonda

It says that this is a 1930 seven seater tourer with body by Viotti. It further states that within months of this car being imported into India the wire wheels had broken and after many replacements the Raja then approached Dunlop in England and ordered specail wheels and tyres which are still on the vehicle.

This means that these wheels are period accessories and not truck wheels as debated in this thread.

Also the fact that they are of the center lock type shows that they didn't come off a truck as the one for trucks were bolt on. There doesn't look like there are any wheel nut holes on these rims.

Would love to hear form our esteemed members on this angle.

The article also has a picture of a large Daimler and attributes its ownership to Earl Mountbatten.

Does anyone have pics and info on this car.The current owner is said to be a MR Tarik Gore.

Also can anyone who attended the event post a complete list of cars that participated ? Do we have pics of all the cars present for the event on this thread ?

[DKG]

Originally Posted by wasif

It further states that within months of this car being imported into India the wire wheels had broken and after many replacements the Raja then approached Dunlop in England and ordered specail wheels and tyres which are still on the vehicle.

This means that these wheels are period accessories and not truck wheels as debated in this thread.

Well that hopefully settles it. BTW an aunt is from Gonda, I should ask her about the car.

Also can anyone who attended the event post a complete list of cars that participated ? Do we have pics of all the cars present for the event on this thread ?

Wasif I should think all cars were captured in pictures here. Infact you can tell the sequence of how they were arranged by the pictures

[harit]

Originally Posted by wasif

There is an interesting article on the Cartier event in the March 09 issue of "The Automobile".

It mentiones that the green Lancia Dilambda was once the property of the Raja of Gonda

It says that this is a 1930 seven seater tourer with body by Viotti. It further states that within months of this car being imported into India the wire wheels had broken and after many replacements the Raja then approached Dunlop in England and ordered specail wheels and tyres which are still on the vehicle.

This means that these wheels are period accessories and not truck wheels as debated in this thread.

Also the fact that they are of the center lock type shows that they didn't come off a truck as the one for trucks were bolt on. There doesn't look like there are any wheel nut holes on these rims.

Would love to hear form our esteemed members on this angle.

The article also has a picture of a large Daimler and attributes its ownership to Earl Mountbatten.

Does anyone have pics and info on this car.The current owner is said to be a Mr Tarik Gore.

Also can anyone who attended the event post a complete list of cars that participated ? Do we have pics of all the cars present for the event on this thread ?

Hi Wasif

You beat me to this.
I got the issue 3 days ago and have been doing some research to give a fitting reply. Why fitting? Because there are many inaccuracies in this article. And if one repeats an inaccurracy many times it somehow becomes the truth.
By the way, all the cars which were invited to the Cartier show are already pictured in this thread.
The Lancia is ex Gonda. The wheels are not original, I got this from the guy who put them on! I have not been in touch with him for 8 to 10 years, he was so shocked to hear that the car won a prize that he called me. And reconfirmed that its a story! ( About special wheels for desert use)
My Lancia of a very similar period and used for RACING!! has its original wheels, and this one of Gonda broke several times within months? And do Maharaja's approach a wheel maker? The owner sold his story very well and the judges swallowed it.
Then the story about the Daimler. This had been seen in the Mumbai Vintage scene since many years, particularly in the 1970's & 80's, again recently with many gaps inbetween. It belonged to Mr. Gore all along. It was the last Viceroy's car, who happened to have been Lord Mountbatten. Unfortunatley the car suffered, someone removed the original power steering. I understand that this has not yet been put back in original condition.
The author, Mr. Peter Stevens who was a judge is a friend of Mr Gore. He lobbied to get the car invited for the Cartier event. Attempt were made to contact Mr. Gore, but he never responded. I know, I got his number, tried to call him and sent SMS.
The article is called 'Cars of the Maharajas' so how did the Daimler fit in? A favour to a friend? As far as I know the Viceroy was not a Maharaja, nor was Mr. Gore.
He comments on the colour scheme of the Delage, labels it 'challenging'. But research was done, amongst others by Mr. Manvendra Singh and it was found that the Maharaja of Gwalior got her painted in gold and black. It is not specified which shade of gold, and there was a discussion with the judges. And it was here there was a goof up, to be blamed on the owner himself, the Delage should have got the resurrection prize, not the Bentley. The Delage was truly a resurrection in terms of the meaning of the word.
The article starts with black & white photographs taken from Manvendra Barwani's book and duly acknowledged. There are also photographs taken at the advent.
About winners, he only mentions the Delahaye, it would have been gracious if he had mentioned the Healey Westland of Mr. Asher. That car was a Maharaja car, and would have got 2 prizes if rules permitted.

The reason of being a little extra harsh on this article is the following para which I reproduce from The Automobile March 2009 issue:

'Having recently worked in Mumbai I was delighted to return to one of my favourite cities, although November is not the best time of year for an outdoor event here, as it is both hot and humid. The concours was staged on the lawns of the Turf Club, a location associated with horse racing since the time of the Raj. The calm of the venue contrasts with life on the streets of Mumbai where it is hot, humid, crowded, vibrant - a cosmopolitan hubbub. Roads are teeming with traffic, people, COWS, cops, and ELEPHANTS, yet pollution is low due to extensive use of LPG. Car culture is different in India. People tend to drive something that works and is easy to fix, so elegant old cars are rare and treasured.'

Capitals on cows & elephants are put by me to highlight what I felt is not required to be put in an article on Maharaja cars.

And now Cheers for the Maharajas and their Cars!

[wasif]

Wow this site really keeps me buzzing. Great people who have the widest of knowledge and love to share it.

Harith.

Thanks for the clarification on the Lancia Wheels. One wonders if this is so then why would the owner, who has obviously spent a ton of money restoting this car, couldnot or didnot want to go the extra mile and get the correct wheels imported.

The whole restoration is marred by thei one glaring detail that is not addressed.

If the wheels are not genuine then how did they manage to get the things to fit on the splined hub and fix the spinners on ?

The article is a little on the crazy side for sure, too many prejedices are showing

So waht is the story on the Earls Daimler. Is it a double six or a straight eight and i m surprised to hear it had power steering. It looks like it is from the 1920 so power steering ???

[travancore]

Originally Posted by harit

Hi Wasif

He comments on the colour scheme of the Delage, labels it 'challenging'. But research was done, amongst others by Mr. Manvendra Singh and it was found that the Maharaja of Gwalior got her painted in gold and black. It is not specified which shade of gold, and there was a discussion with the judges. And it was here there was a goof up, to be blamed on the owner himself, the Delage should have got the resurrection prize, not the Bentley. The Delage was truly a resurrection in terms of the meaning of the word.

Is the Delage an ex-Gwalior or ex-Holkar (Indore) car ? Cheers

[DKG]

Apparently there was a Gondia too which had a Raja. I think Gonda just had a zamindar family

[karlosdeville]

The Tariq Gore car is pictured in this link, BMX 707. It was also used in the movie Gandhi.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/779875-post17.html

[wasif]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

The Tariq Gore car is pictured in this link, BMX 707. It was also used in the movie Gandhi.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/779875-post17.html

What is it thought a double twelve or stratght eight and did it have power steering.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by wasif

What is it thought a double twelve or stratght eight and did it have power steering.

Wow, a double twelve!


I think it was a straight eight, but not sure. Dont know too many details, though it did win prizes regularly. Even without the large central speedo in the dash!

[wasif]

OOPS. I goofed up it should have read Double Six

[harit]

Originally Posted by travancore

Is the Delage an ex-Gwalior or ex-Holkar (Indore) car ? Cheers

It is ex-Gwalior as per the owner.

Harit

[MustangMan]

Originally Posted by harit

It is ex-Gwalior as per the owner.

Harit

Its an ex-Indore car ie Holkar.

[DKG]

Originally Posted by MustangMan

Its an ex-Indore car ie Holkar.

This was my understanding too, but since Harit spoke so confidently I felt perhaps he knew better !!

I feel there may also be some confusion about Gonda or Gondia. Perhaps someone could clarify the history of the Lancia too and about the wheels.

[harit]

Originally Posted by DKG

This was my understanding too, but since Harit spoke so confidently I felt perhaps he knew better !!

I feel there may also be some confusion about Gonda or Gondia. Perhaps someone could clarify the history of the Lancia too and about the wheels.

Sometimes, but only sometimes I do make mistakes, and this is the second time that I have mixed up Holkar and Gwalior. They are too near to each other. These things happen, so earlier I had mentioned that all I post is always subject to correction.

About the Lancia, the owner in his post of 22/02/09 has himself mentioned Gonda.

About the wheels I have commented, I rely on the statement to me of a former owner and who knows, this could also be subject to correction. Let us see what comes up.

[wasif]

Is there an official website for this event where one can get details on all the cars entered ?

Was there a Chrysler roadster also entered from Gondol ?