A visitor to the Shiva temple at Dharmasthala, about 75 kms from Mangalore city and 101 miles from Udupi on the west coast, can not miss the Manjusha vintage car museum, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of a big city in a secluded and serene place. Upon vising this wonderful, catchy and well-organized car museum, you will be struck by the variety of old cars of Europe and America in different shapes and sizes, made in the early 20th th century that majestically roamed the roads in the by gone era. It is quite interesting that all automobiles are kept in perfect running condition. This amazing museum is promoted and maintained by one Dr. Heggade, a lover of antiques and old cars. Included in his collection are his first ever motor car and motor cycle. Besides, there are numerous old Buggies and Carriages of by-gone British era, which the younger generation never witnessed. Dr. Veerendra Heggade is a good administrator and a philanthropist. He efficiently runs several educational institutions, thus carrying on the legacy of his illustrious family. He also takes care of the administration of Shiva temple at Dharmasthala and actively participates in religious activities of the temple including mass wedding and Annadhana (free food).
"I have a Commitment to Convince my God, through my deeds and not by my words" .... Dr. . Veerendra Heggade
Some interesting facts:
01. Car Racing began soon after the production of the automobile, apparently for publicity.
02. The first official auto race in the world was a 732 mile, round trip race, in the Paris – Bordeaux–Paris race couse. The first race in the U.S. was the six car, 54.36 mile race from Chicago’s Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois and back. Racing gave a fillip to better inventions that assisted in improvements to the automotive industry. 03. Post vintage cars are those made from 1st January, 1931 to the start of World War 2 (September, 1939). Antique cars are all cars made up to September, 1939 which was the start of World War 2. Modern cars were made after 31 December, 1959. 04. The 1904 Rolls-Royce, 10 hp Two-Seater is currently listed on the Guinness World Records as the most expensive veteran car ever to be sold, at the price of US$7,254,290 ($8,278,809 in 2015), at Bonhams. 05. In 2008, US TV presenter and radio personality Chris Evans broke a twenty-one-year-old record, when he successfully placed a bid for a Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider that once owned by James Coburn, Hollywood actor well known for his westerns. 06. In 1973 a Mercedes-Benz 770 F-Cabriolet that stated to be the parade limousine of Adolf Hitler was sold for a then record of US$153,000 ($815,579 in 2015),[18][19] surpassing the previous record held by a Duesenberg Model J Victoria that belonged to Greta Garbo, Hollywood actress at US$90,000 ($509,141 in 2015). 07. The white 1993 Ford Bronco, that was involved in the chase between famous O. J. Simpson(of Buffallo Bills Football team; he was in serious financial trouble in the 1980s and was involved in the murder of his finance) and LAPD, was sold for $75,000 in 2004, almost twice its original value, ten years after the incident. 08. The similar four-stroke diesel engine was invented by Rudolf Diesel. The hydrogen fuel cell, one of the technologies hailed as a replacement for gasoline as an alternative energy source for cars, was discovered in principle by Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1838. 09. The first carriage-sized automobile suitable for use on existing wagon roads in the United States was a steam powered vehicle invented in 1871, by Dr. J.W. Carhart, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Racine, Wisconsin. 10. The first company formed exclusively dedicated to building automobiles was Panhard et Levassor in France. Yjis compny also introduced the first four-cylinder engine. Formed in 1889, Panhard was quickly followed by Peugeot two years later. In 1898, Louis Renault had a De Dion-Bouton modified, with fixed drive shaft and differential, making "perhaps the first hot rod in history" and bringing Renault and his brothers into the car industry and making it more visible.. 11. In the early start of 20th century, the automobile industry was beginning to take off in Western Europe, especially in France, where 30,204 were produced in 1903, representing 48.8% of world automobile production that year. 12. Introduction ''drum brakes'' by Renault in 1902 was yet another triumph in the auto industry. 13. It was Preston Tucker who put forward his idea of an American-made vehicle in the 1920s and inspired the idea of a rear-motor and individual torque converters. He went on designing a safety car with innovative features and modern styling. 14. In the 1950s: The Volkswagen Beetle continued production after Hitler and began exports to other nations, including the U.S. It was, otherwise, known as people's car with rear engine. Same time, Nash introduced the Nash Rambler, the first successful modern compact car made in the U.S., while the standard models produced by the "Big Three" domestic automakers grew ever larger in size, featured increasing amounts of chrome trim, and luxury was exemplified by the Cadillac Eldorado. Some world record old car auctions: August 14, 2014: 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (Bonhams), $38,098,927.00. July 12, 2013: 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 (Bonhams), $ $30,077,254.00. August 21, 2011: 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. (Gooding & Company), $17,241,019.00. May 17, 2009: 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. (RM Auctions), $13,679,879.00. November 17, 1987: 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe. (Christie's). $20,412,361.00. April 30, 1985: 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B. (Christie's),$6,135,246.00. July 12, 1984: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster. (Christie's), $3,302,675.00. Presented below are various models on display at the Manjusha Vintage car museum and the photo credits are given below each image.  |
| www.team-bhp.com 1935 Sunbeam (6 Cyl., 22 HP, GJB 3617). According to information regarding this cute looking car with spare tire fixed on the right side door, this Sunbeam hunting tourer with special body by Brooks with powerful hunting lights and glass fittings was custom built for the Maharajah of Kolhapur, Maharastra. It, is believed, that the Maharajah stopped using this car for hunting adventures because he narrowly escaped from the claws of death when a ferocious tiger, that he was chasing, all of a sudden almost jumped into the car! Since that incident, sentimentally he had begun to use expensive Maybach, a German car for hunting. The car was brought from Gujarat to Bangalore and restored in Bangalore before sold to the museum. The car was complete and very original and even had the original leather box in the rear. Definitely one of the top cars of the museum. It is mentioned this picture was taken at Bangalore before the car was sold to the museum |
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1936 Adler Trumpf Junior Kabrio (4 Cyl., 25 HP, BYJ 1791)
Adler, with a front wheel drive,
was one of Germany's little known pre-war car producer. The company introduced the Junior in 1934 and production stopped in 1940. It was brought from Mumbai. |
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Austin, 1933, Made in England. &Hp Saloon type of body; common man's car.
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| www.theautomotiveindia. com Morris Oxford, 1930 model.4 cylinder car 10th 14.9 HP collected from Sirsi, Karnataka, India. Widely used to carry devotees to Dharmasthala in the 1940s. |
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| www.theautomotiveindia.com |
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| www.team-bhp.com 1950 VW Beetle (4 Cyl., 12 HP, MAJ 5945) |
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| www.team-bhp.com/1935 1948 Morris Minor (4 Cyl., 8 HP, CKK 2266) |
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1954 Cadillac (V8 OHV, P1452)American luxury car
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| www.team-bhp.com 1952 Pontiac Silver Streak (6 Cyl., MDR 225 |
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| www.team-bhp.com/1935 1951 Ford Custom Victoria Coupe ( V8, MYO 3569)his car is Ford's first hard top. Two door and pillar less is definitely one of the desirable cars for any collector. This car has the overdrive option. |
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| www.team-bhp.com/1935
1951 Jaguar Mark V (6 Cyl., 3.5 litre, MEX 7595)
The production of Mark V started in 1948 till 1951. This car outsold the XK120 which was launched along the same time. There were 2.5 litre and 3.5 litre engine options. |
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| www.team-bhp.com/ Plymouth, 1946 model. 20 HP wt. 1832 kg. |
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1947 Daimler Type DE-36 ( 8 Cyl., 5460 CC, MEC 1)The engine of a DE 36 is 8 cylinder, 5460 CC.
The Daimler Type DE 36 at the museum is one of the 6 cars built for the
Royal Tour of Australia 1953/54 of King George VI whose tour was canceled due to his health reasons. A total of 6 cars were built for the royal
tour - 2 All Weather, 3 Landaulette and 1 Limousine all bodied by
Hooper. Since the tour got canceled, one All Weather (Chassis # 51703)
and one Landaulette (Chassis # 51708) were bought by Maharajah of Mysore.
The All Weather is in the Bhogilal Museum and the Landaulette in the
Manjusha Museum.
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| www.team-bhp.com/ 1948 Mercedes Diesel (4 Cyl., MYX 761) |
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| 1 www.team-bhp.com/ Citroen Traction Avant (4 Cyl., PYP 362). 1948 Morris Minor (4 Cyl., 8 HP, CKK 2266).
Nothing special on this car. It is a common sedan type
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| www.team-bhp.com/ 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster (6 Cyl., 3.5 Litre, MYB 9018)
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1 This was owned by the Maharajah of Purnea (Bihar) and brought from Delhi to Bangalore to Dharmasthala. It is a seven seater sports car with 8 cyl. & 4.1 liter engine. The pilot light in the front is impressive and is in excellent condition, turns well with the steering. Note the rare yellow filter.
Ref:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/79766-m
http://www.wikipedia.org. vintage cars
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