[karlosdeville]

A superb photograph of the early days of the French Motor Car Co. Can anyone identify the car?



A lovely ad of an early Chrysler Airflow from the same source.

[karlosdeville]

Some interesting ads I came across recently


In 1947 Pontiacs were sold by The Motor and General Trading Co, Gandhinagar Bezwada - I am unsure of the exact location, over to the experts.





Studebakers were sold from the Khaitan Motor Co showrooms at 25/B Park Street, Calcutta in 1937. They advertise as sole distributors for Bengal, Bihar and Assam.




The Humber agent in Calcutta was Mr. H H Lilley, Roots Ltd, 72, Park Street.




Excelsior motorcycles could be purchased from agents Cycle House, Calcutta.

[travancore]

In 1971




Lambretta dealers, 1956




The Laxmi 48, ca 1972


I had not heard of Ghatge & Patil :(

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Vasantrao_Ghatge

[karlosdeville]

The dealer plate spotted on an early DeSoto of around 1930 reads "Imported by the French Motor Car Co." of Bombay.

[karlosdeville]

Besides many other American and European brands, The Automobile Co. were also agents for Maxwell cars, a Chrysler product.




The copy and model names are interesting to read. The brand was advertised rather simply as "The Good Maxwell".

[karlosdeville]

A supplier's plate reading "Patny & Co. Secunderabad" seen on a Hindustan Ambassador Mark 1 of the early 60s.

[karlosdeville]

Cross posting from here (Cost of classic cars when new? Pics of invoices included)

A Hyland were for Fiat as well as Overland cars in Bombay, G McKenzie and Co. sold Singer cars in Calcutta, and Bombay Cycle sold Dodge Brothers in Bombay.

[karlosdeville]

Agents for Willys Jeeps in Madras were the cheekily named Speed-a-way Limited, 35/5, Mount Road.

[KartikeyaL]

Some more from South India

Addison and Co. Ltd.

For Morris cars


For Morris light vans


For Dodge Brothers


Sundaram Motors Ltd. for Chevrolet


The Union Company for Wolsoley

[karlosdeville]

The present day Renault showroom in Calcutta seems to be housed in a heritage building, Leslie House, that used to be an Austin showroom.

[travancore]

Possibly the same building ? Though, no Austin to be seen.

[travancore]

Ford Depot, Bombay 1915

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

A supplier's plate reading "Patny & Co. Secunderabad" seen on a Hindustan Ambassador Mark 1 of the early 60s.

Attachment 1976372

Another Patny delivered Amby but a later model Mark 2. Interestingly the plate now reads 'Patny Motors'

[karlosdeville]

Growing up in Pune I have always seen a large number of busses with a big black plate at the rear, and the letters RUBY in bold font, and later RUBYRUSHI. I assume they are still in the business of making bus bodies.


It seems they've been around for a while, here are some ads from the late 40s showing a Chevy Fleetmaster and a Jeep woody, where Ruby were the coachbuilder.

[karlosdeville]

We've seen many ads from the Simpson's group for various brands, but I don't think I've seen them advertising Buicks of this vintage in the past. Courtesy the Madras facebook page.