Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India

karlosdeville · 13th July 2017, 17:42

Here is a paper clipping of an ad for the Rugby car - the agents were Hillsawyer & Co.

I think one car was known to survive, not sure where it is now.

Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India-00.jpg

My mother kindly translated as under

Quote:

Another new Rugby car.

One heartwinning masterpiece of workmanship.

Bigger, stronger and more luxurious.

Touring Motor

Price Rs. 3000/-.

1 Tonne Truck

Chasis (Lorry)

Price Rs. 3200/- six speed.

Absolutely new Radiator, new type of body, and attractive beauty.

Sole Agents:

Hillsawyer & Co. Ltd.

8 New Queens Road, Mumbai.

While inquiring about the motor car, please mention that it is from the advertisement in the Diwali Issue of "vis Mi Sadi"(Twentieth Century).

KartikeyaL · 18th July 2017, 14:21

Coronation Motors, Cutch and Saurashtra were dealers for Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam-talbot, Commer & Karrier commercial vehicles.

KartikeyaL · 19th July 2017, 15:51

Couple of dealers from South India

karlosdeville · 19th July 2017, 19:57

This dealer plate for J Williams is seen on a 1948 Hindustan 10. I had no idea that the dealership for Hindustan Motors went that far back, they were operational till maybe 5 years ago.

Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India-0-1.jpg

Incidentally a senior gentleman running a 100 year old workshop (since deceased) had mentioned that his father had imported a Bentley for Mr. J Williams himself back in the day.

R2D2 · 19th July 2017, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

This dealer plate for J Williams is seen on a 1948 Hindustan 10. I had no idea that the dealership for Hindustan Motors went that far back, they were operational till maybe 5 years ago.

I normally pass by their premises on East St. in Camp a few times a week & did so this afternoon. I always gaze wistfully at that place because I know it has an automobile and CV history that goes back in time like the other well known Mahindra dealer Silver Jubilee Motors.

J Williams seem to have started a 3M franchise but it's now shut. Is this permanent? Do you have any news about the Parsi owner (cannot recall the name) who stays/stayed at Koregaon Park? He used to drive a red Mitsubishi Lancer IIRC.

Quote:

Incidentally a senior gentleman running a 100 year old workshop (since deceased) had mentioned that his father had imported a Bentley for Mr. J Williams himself back in the day.

Sad to see J Williams close down.

travancore · 31st August 2017, 03:41

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWxN...Ic-Ue&index=57

An Oakland Six "is born". Calcutta, 1926

Follow the link at the top of the picture to view on Youtube.

srinand · 31st August 2017, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by KartikeyaL

Couple of dealers from South India

Hi,

Karaikudi is famous for some of its palatial mansions and its glazed italian tiles which are being made to this day as Athangudi tiles. My wife and I visited this place a few years ago when we drove across south India. We were so impressed with these tiles, that we got similar tiles in the home we built recently. The mansions are lovely and have some amazing work with materials and styles from all around the world. The Chettiyar families were very wealthy families for two or three decades in the early 20th century who had a sudden crash possibly by the mid thirties which ended up in such letters being received.

The descendants of the families still lived in these palatial homes and spoke of the older times with lots of car names being mentioned. Now they would ask for a little money as an entry fee to visitors to see the relics of their glorious past.

Apologies for posting a longish post with little reference to cars.

Regards,

Srinand.

karlosdeville · 1st September 2017, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore

An Oakland Six "is born". Calcutta, 1926

Follow the link at the top of the picture to view on Youtube.

Thanks for sharing this, this is an absolute treasure! I would have thought the facilities would have atleast had a shed!

travancore · 1st September 2017, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Thanks for sharing this, this is an absolute treasure! I would have thought the facilities would have atleast had a shed!

It was a beautiful autumn day Karl!

Anyways, I am not aware of Oakland having any assembly facilities in India. This was probably at one of their Agents / Dealerships.

karlosdeville · 4th September 2017, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore

It was a beautiful autumn day Karl!

Anyways, I am not aware of Oakland having any assembly facilities in India. This was probably at one of their Agents / Dealerships.

Yes, we can see Allen Berry scripts in some scenes.

harit · 31st October 2017, 14:49

Came across a Hindi magazine Manavdharma of June 1962. Here is the cover:

Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India-hillman-minx-1955-ad-01t.jpg

In this magazine there is an advertisement for Hillman Minx cars given by P. Sharma and Company of Delhi. So apparently another dealership to add to our list.

Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India-hillman-minx-1955-ad-02t.jpg

It is strange, intriguing and also interesting to note that they are advertising a model of 1955 as late as 1962.

Cheers harit

karlosdeville · 1st November 2017, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by harit

Came across a Hindi magazine Manavdharma of June 1962. Here is the cover:

Attachment 1691077

In this magazine there is an advertisement for Hillman Minx cars given by P. Sharma and Company of Delhi. So apparently another dealership to add to our list.

Attachment 1691078

It is strange, intriguing and also interesting to note that they are advertising a model of 1955 as late as 1962.

Cheers harit

It appears they are not advertising the Hillman Minx per se, just advertising a workshop and their services. It was common practice in these private ads to show an illustration of some popular car. So I would not count this as a Hillman dealer, but just a private garage.

A friend sent me this very interesting plate on his Willys Stationwagon - the body seems to have been built by Grant James Private Ltd in Calcutta.

Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India-img_9558.jpg

r_nairtvm · 2nd November 2017, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

A friend sent me this very interesting plate on his Willys Stationwagon - the body seems to have been built by Grant James Private Ltd in Calcutta.

Karl, its possible.

I have seen one Willys Jeep (1950 Model) which was assembled by Popular Motors Cochin. Quiet a few WWII surplus stuff was shipped over to the newly independent India and they were assembled by various reputed "automobile engineering" establishments of the time.

Best Regards & Drive Safe

Ram

KartikeyaL · 9th November 2017, 12:53

Chand Brothers, dealers for Chevrolet cars and trucks, Kotah

cjt2012 · 9th November 2017, 16:47

Have been following this thread for some time now , but did not see any Agency or dealers for Austin of England . These cars were quiet popular in India around the 30s specially because they were cheap and reliable.
Anyone has any information on the Dealership for the Austins?
To my understanding, they were used quiet extensively used as Taxis and the sevens were quiet popular as small family cars in India .

18th July 2017, 14:21	#137
KartikeyaL Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jaipur Posts: 3,523 Thanked: 15,764 Times View My Garage	Re: Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India Coronation Motors, Cutch and Saurashtra were dealers for Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam-talbot, Commer & Karrier commercial vehicles. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by KartikeyaL : 18th July 2017 at 14:26.
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19th July 2017, 15:51	#138
KartikeyaL Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jaipur Posts: 3,523 Thanked: 15,764 Times View My Garage	Re: Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India Couple of dealers from South India Attached Thumbnails
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19th July 2017, 19:57	#139
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 11,976 Thanked: 18,277 Times View My Garage	Re: Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India This dealer plate for J Williams is seen on a 1948 Hindustan 10. I had no idea that the dealership for Hindustan Motors went that far back, they were operational till maybe 5 years ago. Incidentally a senior gentleman running a 100 year old workshop (since deceased) had mentioned that his father had imported a Bentley for Mr. J Williams himself back in the day.
	(5) Thanks

31st October 2017, 14:49	#146
harit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,033 Thanked: 3,281 Times	Re: Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India Came across a Hindi magazine Manavdharma of June 1962. Here is the cover: In this magazine there is an advertisement for Hillman Minx cars given by P. Sharma and Company of Delhi. So apparently another dealership to add to our list. It is strange, intriguing and also interesting to note that they are advertising a model of 1955 as late as 1962. Cheers harit
	(2) Thanks

9th November 2017, 12:53	#149
KartikeyaL Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jaipur Posts: 3,523 Thanked: 15,764 Times View My Garage	Re: Dealerships, Coachbuilders, Vehicle Assembly in India Chand Brothers, dealers for Chevrolet cars and trucks, Kotah Attached Thumbnails
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9th November 2017, 16:47	#150
cjt2012 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mumbai,Pune Posts: 102 Thanked: 360 Times	Have been following this thread for some time now , but did not see any Agency or dealers for Austin of England . These cars were quiet popular in India around the 30s specially because they were cheap and reliable. Anyone has any information on the Dealership for the Austins? To my understanding, they were used quiet extensively used as Taxis and the sevens were quiet popular as small family cars in India .
	() Thanks