Restoring a taxi - Advice needed

speedy · 19th December 2008, 14:03

ABDriver i do not see why the car cannot run on the road, even after you change the number to a new number. I thought you had mentioned that you had found the original number of the car before it ran as a taxi. There would be something you have missed or some sort of miscommunication from some end. If you say even if you change the number the car cannot run. There are numerous privately owned Fiats rangeing from the 50's till the stipulated date of manufacture, so these cars should also be pulled off the roads.

abdriver2000 · 19th December 2008, 16:33

Yes, that is exactly what I have been told. Even after changing the number to a new one (MH01 series), the car will not be allowed to run on Mumbai roads.

It seems the new law is very specifically ensuring that old cars stay off the roads.
Sad but true.

It was also in the Hindustan Times the other day, but I can't seem to find that article.

Stanher · 19th December 2008, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

It seems the new law is very specifically ensuring that old cars stay off the roads.
Sad but true.

I personally doubt there is such a law for old cars in general! There are loads of people buying classic/vintage cars from other states and re-registering them in Mumbai as of now. Or is this only for cars that were taxis earlier?

abdriver2000 · 19th December 2008, 17:06

Yes, its applicable only to old taxis.

kavesh55 · 19th December 2008, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

Old cars are being scrapped for as little as 9-10K. If I can rescue this one, I will have road worthy car for about 20K, and a lot of blessings from my dad!

PS: I am still looking for an OMNI for our family friend. He is out of his only job. I asked him to drive my car for a few days until some arrangements could be made, but he offered to do it for free, out of respect towards my dad.

Dear Abdriver-indeed you will get blessing not only from your but even the rest of the Fiat Lovers.
Was listening to radio this morning wher a cab driver was being interviewed on the cars as replacements for fiats. The answer was just like any other fiat afficianado- THERE IS NO CAR LIKE A FIAT.
Felt happy and sad at the same time.

salilpawar1 · 19th December 2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

Yes, that is exactly what I have been told. Even after changing the number to a new one (MH01 series), the car will not be allowed to run on Mumbai roads.

It seems the new law is very specifically ensuring that old cars stay off the roads.
Sad but true.

It was also in the Hindustan Times the other day, but I can't seem to find that article.

You can always get it registered in a town outside Mumbai (if you have and/or business) and drive it in Mumbai, can't you? The same way in which people get their new cars registered outside Mumbai to evade octroi.

abdriver2000 · 22nd December 2008, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by salilpawar1

You can always get it registered in a town outside Mumbai (if you have and/or business) and drive it in Mumbai, can't you? The same way in which people get their new cars registered outside Mumbai to evade octroi.

I do not have this option. Even if I had, I would want to stay within the legal framework, as much as possible.

salilpawar1 · 28th December 2008, 13:52

Repost: Mods, plz delete this post

salilpawar1 · 28th December 2008, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

I do not have this option. Even if I had, I would want to stay within the legal framework, as much as possible.

If you can get it registered at a genuine outstation address, I really don't think that it'll be out of the legal framework in any way. But since you don't have that option...

. Nevertheless, I am not advocating registering using a fake address or something.

abdriver2000 · 12th April 2009, 17:07

Friends,

My apologies for not updating this thread for a long time. We were unable to rescue the old car and finally had it scrapped on 18 March 2009.

The taxi had faithfully served on Mumbai roads for 4 decades. It was an emotional moment when they drove it to the scrapyard.

The next two weeks were spent by my driver arranging finances and looking for the best deal for an OMNI.

We took delivery yesterday and the car will be registered tomorrow. Drivers children are overjoyed at seeing the livelihood return to their father after several months.

I will be updating the pics in my garage soon. In the meantime, you may also look at the restoration pics of my Bajaj Super.

For the mumbaikars who need a comfortable ride with an honest cab driver with decades of experience, look no further. Send me a PM and I will send you his number.

SuperSelect · 12th April 2009, 22:21

Hey AB - quite an emotional end to this thread. My best wishes to the taxi and her capable driver. And may you get a nice car someday, to replace your Fiat Delight. I know it won't be the same ever, but still - someone can take her place - ask me, someone can.

abdriver2000 · 13th April 2009, 18:36

Talking of re-incarnation, the new cab has just been registered, and believe it or not, we got the same last 4 digits that were on the original car in 1966!

rjvora_2000 · 14th April 2009, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

Talking of re-incarnation, the new cab has just been registered, and believe it or not, we got the same last 4 digits that were on the original car in 1966!

Wow! this is so nice. I am very happy for you. "1966"

karlosdeville · 14th April 2009, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

Talking of re-incarnation, the new cab has just been registered, and believe it or not, we got the same last 4 digits that were on the original car in 1966!

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. What was the original regn?

abdriver2000 · 14th April 2009, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjvora_2000

Wow! this is so nice. I am very happy for you. "1966"

1966 was the year of registration of the old car, not the number itself.

19th December 2008, 14:03	#61
speedy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Meri Jaan Posts: 6,197 Thanked: 1,026 Times View My Garage	ABDriver i do not see why the car cannot run on the road, even after you change the number to a new number. I thought you had mentioned that you had found the original number of the car before it ran as a taxi. There would be something you have missed or some sort of miscommunication from some end. If you say even if you change the number the car cannot run. There are numerous privately owned Fiats rangeing from the 50's till the stipulated date of manufacture, so these cars should also be pulled off the roads.
	() Thanks

19th December 2008, 16:33	#62
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 331 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Yes, that is exactly what I have been told. Even after changing the number to a new one (MH01 series), the car will not be allowed to run on Mumbai roads. It seems the new law is very specifically ensuring that old cars stay off the roads. Sad but true. It was also in the Hindustan Times the other day, but I can't seem to find that article.
	() Thanks

19th December 2008, 17:06	#64
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 331 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Yes, its applicable only to old taxis.
	() Thanks

28th December 2008, 13:52	#68
salilpawar1 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (MH-01) Posts: 852 Thanked: 250 Times View My Garage	Repost: Mods, plz delete this post Last edited by salilpawar1 : 28th December 2008 at 13:55.
	() Thanks

12th April 2009, 17:07	#70
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 331 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Re-incarnation of the Mumbai Taxi Friends, My apologies for not updating this thread for a long time. We were unable to rescue the old car and finally had it scrapped on 18 March 2009. The taxi had faithfully served on Mumbai roads for 4 decades. It was an emotional moment when they drove it to the scrapyard. The next two weeks were spent by my driver arranging finances and looking for the best deal for an OMNI. We took delivery yesterday and the car will be registered tomorrow. Drivers children are overjoyed at seeing the livelihood return to their father after several months. I will be updating the pics in my garage soon. In the meantime, you may also look at the restoration pics of my Bajaj Super. For the mumbaikars who need a comfortable ride with an honest cab driver with decades of experience, look no further. Send me a PM and I will send you his number.
	() Thanks

12th April 2009, 22:21	#71
SuperSelect Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai. Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 248 Times View My Garage	Hey AB - quite an emotional end to this thread. My best wishes to the taxi and her capable driver. And may you get a nice car someday, to replace your Fiat Delight. I know it won't be the same ever, but still - someone can take her place - ask me, someone can.
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 18:36	#72
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 331 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Talking of re-incarnation, the new cab has just been registered, and believe it or not, we got the same last 4 digits that were on the original car in 1966!
	() Thanks