[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by KartikeyaL

Pictures courtesy of the UWM library

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In the 1960s these Tata Mercedes Benz buses looked so modern when compared to the typical WW2 era Dodge & British make buses we used to have. I recall travelling in them more than a few times in TN, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Of course the stylishness of the body work varied from operator to operator. The ones here are at the lower end of the scale. There used to be a seat right at the front next to the driver. As a little boy I invariably got to sit there. What can be more fun for a 6-year old who was nuts over cars & aircrafts.

[travancore]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Bangalore's first luxury busses with on board toilets

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

In the 1960s these Tata Mercedes Benz buses looked so modern

Punjab may have beat Bangalore when it comes to toilets-on-wheels. Here is a modern one + toilet too! Looking through the windows, the toilet may be the blanked out windows at the rear. A/C included.
Wonder if it is rear engine, or the louvres at the rear side are for the A/C.

Narayan, I loved sitting on those front seats too (usually sideways if I remember right); and burning my legs off!

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by travancore

Attachment 2160329
Punjab may have beat Bangalore when it comes to toilets-on-wheels. Here is a modern one + toilet too! Looking through the windows, the toilet may be the blanked out windows at the rear. A/C included.
Wonder if it is rear engine, or the louvres at the rear side are for the A/C.
Narayan, I loved sitting on those front seats too (usually sideways if I remember right); and burning my legs off!

Thank you for sharing. Love the looks. From a 1960s perspective that bus body looks space age. Once on a bus trip from Conoor to Wellington in the Nilgiris, in November or December 1966, I refused to board a bus that did not have the Mercedes Benz star. I was firm that only a Tata Mercedes Benz was good enough for me. Even as a 6-year old I had my standards you see. My father was sure in a dilemma. I don't recall how this was resolved. If my mother had been there I would have got a tight slap but my father was a more thoughtful person. Clearly my association with Tata trucks and buses started early. 16 to 17 years later I was selling them.

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

In the 1960s these Tata Mercedes Benz buses looked so modern when compared to the typical WW2 era Dodge & British make buses we used to have.

Early TMBs were more refined than later models from the same company, thanks to the quieter IDI engine and lower weight! GVW was increased to 12 tonnes in 1964 and the DIed version of the engine appeared in 1969/70.

Originally Posted by travancore

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Thank you for sharing. This picture is from the era when politically, Haryana was still a part of East Punjab. Including Gurgaon (to whose depot the bus in the pic belongs) the new state had just seven districts - today, it has 22!

[KartikeyaL]

Shared by Philip Thornton via East India Company & Raj Research Group, 1600-1919

Pictures shared earlier as well, but these are larger

1913 India, Trivandrum.

Buses and taxi's owned by the Malabar Commercial Corporation Ltd.

Established in March 1911, the Malabar Commercial Corporation were the pioneers of petrol motor service in the State of Travancore.

Mr. R. M. Saywell, arrived in India from England in June 1911, bringing with him two motor buses and two open char-a-bancs, made by Messrs. J. E. Hall, Ltd., of Dartford.

These vehicles were the first of their kind to be utilized in the service of the public in Travancore, and they were placed on the road between Trivandrum and the towns of Quilon and Nagercoil.

(Restored images)

[agspins]

Hyderabad had double decker buses since Nizams introduced them in late 40's, were eventually phased out in early 2000's. Found this article related to it
https://www.thenewsminute.com/articl...revival-137570

[KartikeyaL]

Pictures from the Batanagar

PC: Bata archives

[KartikeyaL]

Mail vans, New Delhi

PC: UWM Libraries

Oustide the gorgeous Post & Telegraph office


Outside the Temple of Democracy

[KartikeyaL]

Some more buses from the 1960's

Pictures credit : UWM library

[sleeperwagon]

Here's a very cool Mercedes 608D mobile geochemical lab now lying in Bangalore, once owned by the Dept. of Atomic Energy. Pics received from a friend.

[KartikeyaL]

A smart looking Chevy bus, Goa

[KartikeyaL]

Some more buses from the 1960's

Pictures credit : UWM library







and a truck

[karlosdeville]

A pair of old trucks - a petrol Bedford and a diesel Tata Mercedes

[KartikeyaL]

Double decker's from Bombay

Pictures credit : UWM library

[condor]

thanks for the lovely pics, Kartikeya.

Originally Posted by KartikeyaL

Some more buses from the 1960's
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This bus (2nd in pic) has an interesting roof design. Havent seen it - though remember seeing buses like the one on the right in the first pic. And the angular glass designs as in the Leylands (left side in first pic)