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| Maybach with a W3 . www.mtu-report.com |
Above image: Mr. Maybach (2nd from right)with a W3 outside the production hall at Maybach, Germany.......
Almost every day we are seeing lots of beautiful, shinning and stylish aerodynamic cars of numerous models with catchy colors and designs on the roads and highways zipping past us. But none of them, with all kinds of latest electronic gizmos, gives us any inspiration and excitement. Nor does it kindle our curiosity and appeal to our heart. But, when we rarely see such strange looking, and fascinating old cars such as Morris Minor or Vauxhall or Ford T or Packard, in museums or at rare vintage car shows, our excitement knows no bounds. No doubt such cars, with thick bombers, big front lights, etc ., had majestic appearance, soul and character and they take us right back to our olden days of charm and beauty, pollution free and healthy environment. We always stand transfixed by their awe-inspiring and elegant look. In the past, man was in harmony with nature, quality wise every thing was good. It was neither an era of use and throw nor of fast life.
There is a unique place called Pranlal Bhogilal’s farm house, a 2,200-acre spread, called Dastan, near Ahmadabad, Gujarat, that has one of India’s biggest collections of Vintage & Classic cars. “Auto World” is also one of the best in the world. The collections include exotic and impressive cars once owned by India's erstwhile Royal families. Though not open to public, when you are allowed, you are at liberty to take pictures of cars in the museum. There are American and European cars, including Italy of many models and ages. Every one was a beauty. They are original and never have been rebuilt. They are not for sale. The Industrialist, Pranlal Bhogilal, started the museum on his own as a passion just to keep his vast collections that may be more than 180 cars that include rare cars such as Cords, about 40 Rolls Royce, Bentleys, Jaguars and Hispano Suizas. Each one was chosen carefully by Pranlal and is being meticulously taken care of by the museum staff. A single man's mammoth efforts to preserve these priceless cars that had their hey days in the by- gone days. He died several years ago, and the museum is being run by his daughter who wants to continue her father's cherished passion for old cars and his legacy.
Presented below are some of the finest cars in the collection and the photo credit goes to www.teambhp.com. You may see others fascinating cars in my posts two and three soon.
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| Pranlal Bhogilal vintage car museum.Bentely1934, vectoplavda.com |
Bentley: After the death of Henry Royce, the Bentley 3½ Litre (later 4¼ Liter version) was produced in September 1933. After the acquisition of the Bentley brand in 1931 by Rolls-Royce, it was first new Bentley 'model. Bentley Motors (1931) Limited Derby, Derbyshire, England, produced 2411 cars between 1933–1939.
The engine displacement 3.7 L (3669 cc/223 in³), power output: 110 bhp (82 kW) at 4500 rpm, max. speed 90 mph (145 km/h).
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| Chevrolet.www.team-bhp.com |
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| Dastan Farms' P. Bhogilal vintage car museum.Ford T. www.team-bhp.com |
Ford Model T: The Ford Model T, also known as Tin Lizzie; Ford Motor Company made this car from October 1, 1908, to May 26, 1927. Typical middle-class American model with affordable price. the Model T had a front-mounted 177-cubic-inch (2.9 L) four-cylinder engine, producing 20 hp (15 kW), for a top speed: 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h). Petrol consumption: 13–21 mpg-US; can be run on gasoline, kerosene, or ethanol. Transmission: three speed" ; two gears for speed; one for reverse. In 1910, 19,050 car were produced; price tag was $900.00.
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| 1929 Chevrolet.www.team-bhp.com |
Chrysler Imperial: Introduced in 1926; Chrysler name persisted until 1954,- a popular rival to Cadillac, Lincoln, and Packard. Rust-proof fenders, automatic heater control and safety glass were additional features. The Limo type came with extras such as a Dictaphone, Multi-range 4-speed manual gear.
Cadillac: Cadillac, the oldest automobile brand in the world, is second in America only to GM marque Buick. General Motors of Canada Division had made Cadillacs from 1923 until 1936.
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| 1933 Cadillac ex Bikaner.www.team-bhp.com |
Cadillac Motor Car Division, of U.S.- General Motors (GM) marketed luxury vehicles worldwide The V-8 models were introduced first. later V-12 models in January, 1933. No more box like look design. new models had streamlined look in 1930s.
Buick : Buick, a popular car;the 1931 model had a different, recognizable shape. All 1931 models had the radiator cap with V8 mark, implying eight-cylinder engine. 4-door sedan with 77bhp was a popular one and won several awards.
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| 1938 Packard .www.team-bhp.com |
Above image: Packard, 1938 with cy.safe-t-flex suspension. Detriy based motor.......
Auburn: was a brand name of American automobiles produced from 1900 through 1936 at Auburn, Indiana; brain child of brothers Frank and Morris Eckhart, After 1903 Auburn soon began selling their one-cylinder, chain-drive runabouts in greater numbers. 2 cylinder version introduced in 1905 and four in 1909 and a six in 1912; annual sale 2,500 units; $2,000 price was almost a steal.
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| 1931 Auburn V 12, ex Hyderabad. www.team-bhp.com |
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| 1931 Auburn V 12, ex Hyderabad. www.team-bhp.com |
Auburn 31: Auburn 31 had a better sale than Stutz and survived the 1929 stock market crash the Stutz, and its $2,000 price was almost a steal !931. Total production 29,000 cars/year. six cylinder/ 8 cylinder engine; 1932 Cord joined cars like Cadillac, Packard and Pierce-Arrow by introducing an Auburn V12. Auburn offered 12 cyl car under $1,000. 16 cyl. car was available in 1933.
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| Armstrong Siddeley, 1955. www.team.bhp.com |
Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire: The Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire was a large British automobile company that operated from 1952 to 1960. V-shaped radiator grille with the Sphinx motif mounted on it. Some models the sphinx sported aircraft wings carrying tiny Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire jet engines. The transmission was manual, four-speed gearbox with optional overdrive.Maximum speed 100mph. The 234 was produced from 1955 to 1958 and used a four-cylinder 2,290 cc version of the 346 engine.
Alvis: The Alvis 4.3-litre and Alvis Speed 25 made by Alvis Car and Engineering Company in Coventry, England. The luxury touring cars were produced, between 1936 till 1940; considered one of the finest cars in the 1930s; 2½-litre, 2.8-litre or 3½-litre and 4.3-litre engines. The 3½-litre model pick up; top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph).
Full-size luxury car (F) Body style; 4-door sports saloon,front-engine, rear-wheel-drive.
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| Avis 3.5 litre, 1937 .www.team-bhp.com/ |
Mercedes-Benz: The Mercedes-Benz Type 300 with chassis codes W186, W188, and W189 were flagship models in the 1950s. Similar to the top of today's S-Class, A four-door tourer rival to Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and BMW 501; he four-door models 300, 300b, 300c (chassis code 186) and successor 300d (chassis code 189) well-known in 1950s.
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| 1937 Maybach SW 38.3.www.team-bhp.com |
Above image: 1937 Maybach SW38.3.8L,140hp,16cy..produced 1800 units before wwi Mr. Bogilal with Ulrich Schmid-Maybachthe great grand son of founder of Maybach company founded in 1909.
Fiat 500: Commonly known as "Topolino", is an Italian city car produced by Fiat from 1936 to 1955. "Topolino" means "little mouse" in Italian (Mickey Mouse). launched in 1937;one of the smallest cars in the world then. Equipped with a 569 cc four-cylinder, water-cooled engine mounted in front of the front. Transmission - 4-speed manual with 13 bhp. Top speed : 53 mph(85 km/h); petrol consumtion:39.2 miles per US gallon. Most models had 2 doors; priced at 5,000 lire.
