[john a milne]

Rahul Sircar, "Bumpu" as his friends call him grew up with cars and still has a rare 1930 Mercedes 260 plus special that his dad purchased many years ago. A new set of tires are coming in from the U.S. and he plans on doing it up again for next years Statesman.

His Works are just south of Calcutta about 15 km, an interesting drive that we made yesterday. Like Sanjay, his home and works are one and the same. I've not had a chance to really meet him before at the Statesman as he has not been a competitor for many years. A lot of his cars I have seen but didn't know who had restored them. One I saw a few years ago is an absolutely magnificent Jaguar XK-140. He has around 10 workers and I was impressed with the work I saw in progress.

I will post his Mercedes first, hope fully he can take photos of it as it is renewed, and some of the cars he has done up I have photos of, and then some shots I took around his Works that include.
1. 1927 Chev touring.
2. 1952 Citron
3. 1958 Austin
4. 1948 Mercury
5. 1950s Mercedes
6. 1956 Studebaker president
7. 1956 Studebaker golden hawk
I missed a few one a Jaguar

I would consider Bumpu one of top three Restorers here in Calcutta and I wished I had make the trip out to his Works sooner.

His email is - sarkers@vsnl.net and mobile is 98-3005-4320

[john a milne]

Three of the Cars Bumpu had done up that were at the Tolly Car Show.

[john a milne]

The very nice MG - TC at the Tolly Car Show.

[john a milne]

The delightfully charming Mercedes that Bumpu restored just in time for the Statesman Rally.

[john a milne]

Some shots of Bumpu's Works and some very interesting cars.

[john a milne]

More good stuff to ponder over.

[john a milne]

And some more interesting photos.

Bumpu is not on line at home but checks in emails regularly so be patient.
I'm pleased to share with you another fine restorer and am looking forward to returning in November to see what all progress has been made in the various Restoration works here in lovely Calcutta.

[wasif]

Nice pics again John. Sadly some of the cars look as if they are too far gone for economic restoration.

I was wondering why you haven't gotten around to covering one of the most famous collector / restorer / dealer form Calcutta, Mr Saloo Choudhary.

Also please try to get some info on the Mitter family and their cars. Was there a Justice Mitter in this family who had a Duesenberg ?

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by john a milne

Rahul Sircar, "Bumpu" as his friends call him grew up with cars and still has a rare 1930 Mercedes 260 plus special that his dad purchased many years ago. A new set of tires are coming in from the U.S. and he plans on doing it up again for next years Statesman.

Thanks very much for your untiring efforts John.

The Mercedes looks very special, has to be one of the earliest on our shores, what say? Would you know the history of the car?

[Cyrus43]

What Mercedes is this??

[star_is_here]

Yes, even I am eager to know the details of this Mercedes. No front air intake? Gogi, please enlighten!

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

What Mercedes is this??

Originally Posted by star_is_here

Yes, even I am eager to know the details of this Mercedes. No front air intake? Gogi, please enlighten!

You can learn more about this lovely car here

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/1154231-post35.html

[wasif]

This is a rear engined Mercedes 130H (W23).This was the first and only range of rear engined cars sold by Mercedes, which included the 150H and the 170H.

The 130H was introduced in 1934 and was on sale till 1936. It had a 1308 CC four cylinder engine mounted longitudinally in the rear with a four speed gearbox.

This was not a successful car as it was extremely unbalance and not to mention underpowered which resulted in very poor handling. It only came as a two door sedan and convertible.

This was discountinued in 1936 due to poor sales and was followed by the 150H and finally the bigger 170H, which was on the market, along with the traditional 170V, from 1936 to 1939.

Incidentally the H in the model name is derived for the word "heckmotor" meaning rear engined in German.

As it was not a popular model it is very rare today and this is probably the only one of its kind in Inida.

The 150H was only offered as a Roadster and the later 170H had a rounded rear and the air intakes before the rear wheels were eliminated.

[girishpv]

Wowww....Thanks Karl and Wasif for the information.

Very nice car and very rare indeed.

[star_is_here]

Thanks Wasif and Karl! Is'nt it ironic that once an unsuccessful and unwanted car (read poor sales) has us drooling......makes me wonder how many such cars which would be put to extinction by unpopularity might have just gone completely unnoticed and have no records in our (personal) car model list.

Boy, a lifetime is not what it would take to understand that I have just started.