How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas

Julian UK · 23rd February 2008, 17:33

Some more Daimler photos

Apologies for my extremely poor photography.

Julian UK · 25th February 2008, 14:24

The Rolls Royce 20 hp
Restoration completed 2002
A sweet little “Baby Rolls Royce” as they were called.
1923 RR 20 hp Ex Maharaja of Udaipur (Original photo in Faisal’s book on Twenty horse powers)
After 1 ½ year restoration
New pistons/cylinder rebore
New main and big end white metalling,
Camshaft re ground in UK
New lifter rollers/pins.
Rocker bushes/rocker shaft reground
Cylinder head and block retubed after internal cleaning (they all clog up with rust and sediment. (Essential, a hell of a job)
New Gearbox and differential bearings.
New clutch linings/New driven clutch plate (UK)
Water pump rebushed new shaft and rotor
New prop shaft coupling bushes
New wheel bearings
New Brake linings/drums reground.
New tyres spokes freed retightened and trued.
New fuel tank using all original fittings
Rewired
All rotten wood replaced
Very complex door hinges repinned
Chassis straightened, blasted and zinc metal sprayed.
New hood frame wood members steamed and bent/German hooding material.
All replaced parts supplied by Fiennes engineering uk
Every original part, nut, bolt, washer logged, photographed and replaced in its original place.

But there is a lovely ex Maharaja of Udaipur 20hp in Calcutta which has the original factory made hands only controls conversion and another one here:
Rolls-Royce Twenty "Maharani von Udaipur" 1922
This site also has some interesting photos:
Roop Gills Classic Motorcycles/The_Rajas
Any Indian motorcycle fans have a look here:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...4-indians.html

veesixteen · 25th February 2008, 23:29

I got the two colour photos from a gentleman in Pakistan who said this 1930-31 Cadillac V-16 belonged to his family. I believe it is a custom job by Van den Plas that was built by Lancefield in London, UK (see B&W photo). Does anyone know this car, or its current whereabouts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I have never seen the car, but had read about it in a Parsee community magazine years ago. I have no idea what happened to it.

awini · 26th February 2008, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Here is the Bahwalpur 540K. This car was offered for sale on ebay some time back, and this is what I can recollect from the description.

Completely original, the car had covered a genuine documented 5395 miles. Still in original paint, Engelbert tyres, headliner, carpets, door panels etc. Only the seat bottoms were redone in the 60s. The car was exported in the 60s from the family to Germany. The German continued to maintain the car in timewarp condition, and he was offering it for sale in the USA recently, making it a genuine 2 owner car.

karl they had another mercedes... no idea where it is now, if it even survives... thats the car to have.... its an SSK drophead coupe by i think, Windovers!!

smsrini · 26th February 2008, 18:42

One of the most comprehensive compilations of the cars owned by Indian Maharajas is the "Automobiles of the Maharajas " by Manvendra Singh of Barwani. ISBN : 8190060287. Rs. 3500/-

Julian UK · 26th February 2008, 19:51

Here is a picture of the Lanchester 40/50 as it left the factory.

deutscheafrikar · 27th February 2008, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by veesixteen

I got the two colour photos from a gentleman in Pakistan who said this 1930-31 Cadillac V-16 belonged to his family.....Does anyone know this car, or its current whereabouts?

@veesixteen
The photos you've posted above and this one that Karl posted
ImageShack - Hosting :: v1601pe2.jpg
are the same car and belonged to the Nawab of Bahawalpur

Chhayanat · 4th March 2008, 02:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Ah, R 8818...silver ghost of Sir Michael Kadoorie of the peninsula hotel...he recently ordered 14, yes 14 phantoms for the hotel...quite a spectacle, all long wheel base, in trademark peninsula green...

When I was a student in Hongkong, a group of us pooled in money to use a Peninsula Hotel Rolls for a ride from the airport. They had a fleet of Silver Shadows then, all painted the same colour.

veesixteen · 10th March 2008, 17:03

Are you 100% sure? Does anyone know where the car is currently located. The gentleman who contacted me said he was trying to get it back, for his family. We have since lost touch.
_________________________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutscheafrikar

@veesixteen
The photos you've posted above and this one that Karl posted
ImageShack - Hosting :: v1601pe2.jpg
are the same car and belonged to the Nawab of Bahawalpur

Julian UK · 17th March 2008, 03:08

Daimlers and Lanchester
Some more India car images for those without other means of enjoying them for innocent educational purpose... A friend sent them to me, not sure where they came from...
Can anyone identify these 3 photos?

I think these photos of the magnificent Alwar Lanchester 40/50 should all be together for the first time...

Picture Source : Daimler Century by Lord Montagu and David Burgess-Wise

Moderator's note: Images deleted per user's request

karlosdeville · 17th March 2008, 09:26

Man these are fabulous photos. Look closely at the last picture you can see the photographer and his camera reflecting in the carriage like its a mirror!

Julian UK · 18th March 2008, 19:16

A REAL Bentley, a 6 1/2 litre, any ideas anyone?

Picture Source : Bentley Factory cars 1919 -1931 by Michael Hay

Moderator's note: Images deleted per user's request

karlosdeville · 18th March 2008, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian UK

A REAL Bentley, a 6 1/2 litre, any ideas anyone?

Coo! What a monster, complete with a Lalique hood ornament no less. Bhogilal had a couple of blower Bentleys.

C.S.ANANTH · 18th March 2008, 20:07

This book is too expensive & has Rolls Royces in all shapes & colors. Too much of these Rolls

karlosdeville · 18th March 2008, 20:15

Heres another gem, the 1921 Idar Farman A6B Super Sport

Farman A6B Super Sport, 1921 A6B Super Sport | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

23rd February 2008, 17:33	#91
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 260 Times	Some more Daimler photos Some more Daimler photos Apologies for my extremely poor photography. Last edited by Rehaan : 26th February 2008 at 22:58. Reason: font tags removed
	() Thanks

25th February 2008, 14:24	#92
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 260 Times	1923 Rolls Royce 20hp The Rolls Royce 20 hp Restoration completed 2002 A sweet little “Baby Rolls Royce” as they were called. 1923 RR 20 hp Ex Maharaja of Udaipur (Original photo in Faisal’s book on Twenty horse powers) After 1 ½ year restoration New pistons/cylinder rebore New main and big end white metalling, Camshaft re ground in UK New lifter rollers/pins. Rocker bushes/rocker shaft reground Cylinder head and block retubed after internal cleaning (they all clog up with rust and sediment. (Essential, a hell of a job) New Gearbox and differential bearings. New clutch linings/New driven clutch plate (UK) Water pump rebushed new shaft and rotor New prop shaft coupling bushes New wheel bearings New Brake linings/drums reground. New tyres spokes freed retightened and trued. New fuel tank using all original fittings Rewired All rotten wood replaced Very complex door hinges repinned Chassis straightened, blasted and zinc metal sprayed. New hood frame wood members steamed and bent/German hooding material. All replaced parts supplied by Fiennes engineering uk Every original part, nut, bolt, washer logged, photographed and replaced in its original place. But there is a lovely ex Maharaja of Udaipur 20hp in Calcutta which has the original factory made hands only controls conversion and another one here: Rolls-Royce Twenty "Maharani von Udaipur" 1922 This site also has some interesting photos: Roop Gills Classic Motorcycles/The_Rajas Any Indian motorcycle fans have a look here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...4-indians.html Last edited by Rehaan : 26th February 2008 at 22:58. Reason: font tags removed
	() Thanks

26th February 2008, 18:42	#95
smsrini Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,126 Thanked: 442 Times View My Garage	Automobiles of the Maharajas One of the most comprehensive compilations of the cars owned by Indian Maharajas is the "Automobiles of the Maharajas " by Manvendra Singh of Barwani. ISBN : 8190060287. Rs. 3500/-
	() Thanks

26th February 2008, 19:51	#96
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 260 Times	Here is a picture of the Lanchester 40/50 as it left the factory.
	(1) Thanks

17th March 2008, 03:08	#100
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 260 Times	Daimler and Lanchester Daimlers and Lanchester Some more India car images for those without other means of enjoying them for innocent educational purpose... A friend sent them to me, not sure where they came from... Can anyone identify these 3 photos? I think these photos of the magnificent Alwar Lanchester 40/50 should all be together for the first time... Picture Source : Daimler Century by Lord Montagu and David Burgess-Wise Moderator's note: Images deleted per user's request Last edited by theMAG : 21st May 2008 at 22:39.
	() Thanks

17th March 2008, 09:26	#101
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 12,143 Thanked: 18,964 Times View My Garage	Man these are fabulous photos. Look closely at the last picture you can see the photographer and his camera reflecting in the carriage like its a mirror!
	() Thanks

18th March 2008, 19:16	#102
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 260 Times	A REAL Bentley, a 6 1/2 litre, any ideas anyone? Picture Source : Bentley Factory cars 1919 -1931 by Michael Hay Moderator's note: Images deleted per user's request Last edited by theMAG : 21st May 2008 at 22:40.
	() Thanks

18th March 2008, 20:07	#104
C.S.ANANTH BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 379 Thanked: 73 Times	This book is too expensive & has Rolls Royces in all shapes & colors. Too much of these Rolls
	() Thanks

18th March 2008, 20:15	#105
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 12,143 Thanked: 18,964 Times View My Garage	Heres another gem, the 1921 Idar Farman A6B Super Sport Farman A6B Super Sport, 1921 A6B Super Sport \| Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History
	() Thanks