[V-16]

No JayD. It was raining cats and dogs when we assembled at my place so I decided last minute, paying much heed to other member's advice, not to take the "Peshial" out.
Guys we had a blast. Nice meeting up with all of you again. This was the first in the heritage meets. The heritage buildings surround us. The Police HQ and Regal Cinema not to mention the building in which Cafe Royal is situated. They are all heritage buildings. A stone's throw form the Gateway of India.
Ravi, Jubin and Khanak. Lovely meeting you for the first time. Its great to see Ravi's enthusiasm. Addy, your car has gone in the right hands.
The breakfast at Mondegar's was also great, more so because of the company.
Thanks The Mole(Amol) and Star is here (Deven) for the ride to and fro.
I have some special pictures I would like to post. Just wait and watch.

[salilpawar1]

Originally Posted by amit V8

Great Cars..really Liked The Red Palio.
Btw Why Is The Sumo Included??

You see, there is occasionally a Tata Indica in the meet. Sadly it wasn't there today. Guess whom it belongs to.....
Haven't you heard of Tata-Fiat bhai-bhai?

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

BTW i am just putting a touch up coat of paint on the bonnet.

Do you roam around the entire city with that can? Or is it a publicity stunt for Cyrus Custom Designs?

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

FIAT CLASSIC CAR CLUB MUMBAI ANNOUNCES A TRIP TO LONAVALA.

Date- 6th JULY

The Fiat Classic Car Club Mumbai announces its first trip outside the city. THE DATE IS FIXED AS 6th JULY. Further details will be posted here later. Join in with or without your beloved fiats. This is a family event. Please bring your Families along.

Count me in.

[SuperSelect]

Hey Gogi, thanks for the compliments ! It's not always that one gets lucky enough to get hold of a car like MRX 6839. I gathered i beat many people to it

[jubin]

check out some pics.from my side.
saw another bentley today at The Ambassador. the owner is rahul narang owner of the hotel.

also spotted a great merc.
enjoy the pics friends..
nice meeting you' all today.
liked my ride ?

[SuperSelect]

Jubin, you have a beauty. Please restore her in the best possible way man ! Cheers, and great meeting you today

[Cyrus43]

Originally Posted by salilpawar1

Do you roam around the entire city with that can? Or is it a publicity stunt for Cyrus Custom Designs?

Arre no baba, The Paint is coming out in the rain. Thats why as it was dry at the time, i just decided to touch up.

Originally Posted by SuperSelect

Cyrus, the roar of your exhaust as you exited the venue was awesome.. !
The parking attendant, some stall keepers, and a few sundry tourists were completely taken off guard . I loved it dude, we need to sign off this way each time

HaHa. thanks Ravi! Do you want a similar muffler?

[V-16]

As I promised to reveal to you in my earlier post, I had a unique visitor today evening. Cyrus43 called me around 1 ish and told me he had someone who was interested to see my cars. I was on my way for some work but for a car enthusiast, i asked Cyrus to bring in the guest asap.
Enters Cyrus, his brother and a very petite grand old lady. I was waiting fro someone else to surface when Cyrus informed me that it was this lady who wanted to see the cars. I was taken aback.
Its not everyday that one comes across a lady as old or older than one's grandmother, who is so enthusiastic about classics.
She met me very warmly and I soon found out that she was Cyrus's own grandmother. That means Behrambhai's mother. Now here was a special guest.
I was introduced to the cute and effervescent "GRANDMA DHABAR"

Grandma Dhabar is all full of life and energy. Her eyes twinkle when she talks about car and she does so with knowledge and authority.
She enquired about the cars I had and where the others were. She mentioned that Mercs were her favourite and went on to tell me which cars she had owned and driven. We spoke about Fords, Desotos and Mercedes. She could talk about Pontons and the Fintail (Heckflosses) as adeptly as a collector or enthusiast would. Then she said calmly, "Show me your Mercedes Dikra".
She just walked past the W124, the W123 and the W126 and straight away parked herself near the W110. I could see she loved the car.
"Is everything original as it should be or have you changed anything?" she asked.
I assured here that everything is as should be. I opened the door and requested her to sit in the drivers seat.



Notice the broad smile and the enthusiastic look on her face. "Yes yes, I notice its all original....Good" ...she mumbled






Enroute she saw the Fiat which she knew everything about (naturally, shes a Dhabar!!)
She also told me how her family had owned the first Deluxe BE floor shift Padmini to be delivered from the factory straight to her home. Then she turned around and asked me,
"Tare passe Dukkar kem nathi?" (How come you dont you have a Dukkar?) I replied promtly that it was under restoration, to which she looked relieved. She asked which year it was and went on to explain the differences in the grill of the various Dukkars.
She is going to be the first one I will show my centre-light to, when it comes. Sorry BehramBhai, you're going to be number two.

I never thought my swift would interest her. Hes glanced at it and asked me what that huge thing was, on the dash. I informed her It was the Tacho and other meters combined. That was all her interest in the Swift was.

Scrutinizing the Tacho on the Swift



[/b]She trotted towards the Rolls with a smile on her face. She also gave me a list of people who owned Rolls Royces in Bombay which she had seen and ridden in. My God what a lady.


Looking eye to eye at the RR Mascot.


Once in the car, she enquired which year it was.
Did it have power brakes?
Why was the gear lever on the right side of the steering wheel? and a whole lot of questions only an ardent enthusiast would ask.

"My God, how do I see the road from this huge bonnet?"




The Million Dollar pose.



I wanted to spend more time with her as she had come all the way specially to see my cars, unfortunately I was in a hurry to go, she wanted to get back and it started raining cats and dogs. She blessed me and said she prayed that I own many more cars.
I do believe theres a certain magic in the blessings of elderly people.
I think her blessings will bear fruit. I look forward to meeting her again.
Thanks Grandma Dhabar It was a pleasure meeting you!!

[salilpawar1]

Gogibhai, great post!

By the way, SuperGranny Dhabhar is probably the only woman inthe country to sit in a revving Lancer Evo !!!

Three Cheers

[karlosdeville]

Granny Dhabhar can entertain you for hours at a stretch with fantastic stories. But what I loved the most was her superb cup of choi.

[Cyrus43]

Originally Posted by salilpawar1

Gogibhai, great post!

By the way, SuperGranny Dhabhar is probably the only woman inthe country to sit in a revving Lancer Evo !!!

Three Cheers

Ohh you remember!?!? She did sit in an evo when it was on display in the mitsubishi dealership on east street in pune. Because of her we were allowed to go inside the dealership. And because of her enthusism, we were allowed to sit inside. And they even started it for us. She told the Mitsu guy that it was too noisy for her taste... The guy bursted out laughing.

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Granny Dhabhar can entertain you for hours at a stretch with fantastic stories. But what I loved the most was her superb cup of choi.

Her stories about how she convinced my Grand Father to let my dad go for the rallies is even more intoxicating.

@Gogi, their first car was not a Ford or a Chevy. It was an Austin Convertible 2 door.

[SuperSelect]

Wow, that's a complete family for you - These Dhabhars have motoring in their blood, man !!

[Cyrus43]

I made mom read it and she coudnt stop smiling too. Gogibhai, i heard granny telling my grandfather about your cars today. She really likes the Merc. Ohh and i hope the next time you meet her will be at our place when you come for some delicious DHANSAK!!!!

[1100D]

Papa Dhabhar has inherited the "lines" from Granny Dhabhar. Great post. She loves Mercs, great.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

You all don't know one thing about my mother (I wonder why she has not told). Her MOST FAVOURITE MERCEDES is the one which Amol has (BML8988) with round headlights. It's the most elegant Mercedas ever and that's why it's my favourite also. There used to be a BMC numbered white car in Dadar Parsee Colony owned by Mr.Bejan Karai (my father's friend) years back when I was in college and I used to eye it ever since. I still wish I could buy one and take her for a ride. Karl / Gogibhai - how much will a round headlight car cost ? I really wish I had parking space in Mumbai but alas ----- it's been 16 years and 9 months now. I don't feel like saying anything further. I do hope that one day God will make me realise my dream. I will never lose hope and I will never quit trying.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Cyrus43]

I didnt know that. Amol, Next time its your turn to show her the car..After it comes out of hibernation that is. Another thing that happened while coming back was this.She told me, "He has only modern cars? How come he doesnt have real vintages yet?? An old car with those big running boards and rouns headlights in the front?? Now he should buy those cars." I laughed and told her that next time you meet him, tell him that!!