Bought my 1999 Mahindra Classic that I had sold 11 years ago

Green tax plus Motor Vehicle tax (after 15 years, need to pay more), including penalties for not paying on time, came up to a staggering Rs 60,000!

BHPian Tejas@perioimpl recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

It's 11 years today since I sold her!

This popped up on Facebook memories:

And guess what, I just bought her back this month!

She's reached and parked at Allan's garage. I haven't had the time yet to go and collect her.

So the Classic was delivered to Allan's garage and he did the preliminary check-up and gave it a go-ahead to drive her 35 kms back to my house.

The jeep at his garage:

First thing was to change the headlights. The previous owner had changed to black light with rings as you see in the pic above. That needed to go asap.

Went to Atlas motors at Opera House and picked up all the lights. Rather change everything. And it's not expensive. 1500 for the front, rear, side and indicator housings with bulbs. Got box delivered to Allan's garage:

Lights changed:

Allan also serviced the winch and the car was ready for me.

Customary photo with the car before driving off:

Enroute. Had a friend with a Thar as a backup:

Reached and parked in garage:

Son wanted a drive ASAP and promptly declared the Classic as his:

Some work to be done that was neglected or not up to my mark.

Firstly, I realised that the green tax wasn't paid for a long time and the fitness needed to be renewed.

Got PUC, Fastag done asap for fitness. Even third party insurance was expired. That itself is now nearly 10,000 per year.

Green tax plus motor vehicle tax (after 15 years, need to pay more), including penalties for not paying on time came up to a staggering 60,000! Plus the RTO agent fees. A new smart card was applied for and would be speed posted home whenever ready.

For fitness, I needed to remove the lights. After that, I swapped the KC lights for the light force from my Pajero. The Pajero sees more night and long-distance drives and the Classic will not be doing as much. So fit the KC Hilites. Yes, they don't look as good, but it's ok.

The seat belts were dusty and the locking didn't work. I guess since the cover was missing, it got damaged due to the elements. In an open jeep with my son, this wasn't a chance I would take.

Old:

Atlas motors supplied the belts. Rs. 600 for a pair - original:

The new belt:

Fitted:

Old cars need many keys. In my Classic I now had a bunch:

• Ignition
• Glove Box + under-seat box (same key)
• Centre console lockbox
• Spare tyre lock
• Shovel lock
• Hi-lift jack lock
• Fuel tank

Not used to so many keys after driving new-gen vehicles and the pocket was bulking up.

So bought a numbered lockbox from Amazon and bolted it onto the centre box where I can now safely store the keys. Ignition key I will soon make flippy!

The box bolted:

With the keys:

Locked:

More updates soon.

Have to change fan belt and power steering belt, windshield washer assembly and all hose pipes.

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