Classic Rolls Royces in India

vagu · 14th May 2010, 18:36

Registration Number: DS 7695 Chassis Number: GAJ 81
As the Maharajas lost power in the British Raj, they became increasingly hooked to the trappings of power of the Western world. Major western purveyors of luxury goods from Cartier to Louis Vuitton to Rolls-Royce became their personal catalogue houses, as the princes adopted western dress and ways of living.

Motor cars were an extravagance that enriched the car manufacturers, in particular Rolls-Royce; regarded as the finest manufacturer, with luxury cars given as gifts and in trousseaus.

Purchased new in 1927 by the Maharaja of Burdwan (a region of Bengal, India) as a wedding gift for his son, this fine open tourer by Hooper is most original, retaining the original aluminium body work over an ash frame and all original instruments on a polished aluminium dashboard. GAJ 81 was subsequently purchased in 1958 by Mr Whittingham, an American and driven overland to Genoa, Italy. Photographs and correspondence of the trip included in the comprehensive history file show the car navigating rivers aboard rafts and crossing deserts in Afghanistan. GAJ 81 was shipped to New York from Genoa and was then driven across the States to Mr Whittingham‘s home in Los Angeles, California.

Coys

harit · 16th May 2010, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore

Don't know where I got this from (in all probability it was indeed from T-BHP / Harit's collection). But seems to be from the same trip / taken at the same time as Harit's fabulous shot above

Hi Travancore! The second picture you have posted is indeed a copy of a same picture which I have, but my picture is clearer. Where did you get that from? I had not posted that. And, I did get two copies of that picture, and one copy was a poor image. And both copies are still with me.

I have noted that copies of some of my pictures do exist, and these copies are also old.

Cheers harit

BTW, I have heard that the Rolls of Rajkot, PII Continental of 1934 was sold to someone with Indian Royal connection. Since I do not believe what I have heard, I would not like to post the info who thez are till someone else can confirm. If what I have heard is correct, the car could even come back to India!!

kasli · 17th May 2010, 10:11

This car got exported ??????? I saw it in November 2007 ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Does anyone know the story on this Rolls, 94RF 1927 Windovers Limousine Jodphur?

Attachment 185477

A friend sent me this link showing the car apparently in the UK, beautifully restored.

Attachment 185478
Attachment 185479

DSC00483 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Interestingly a 47 Buick cabrio in Jodhpur is shown with the same plate.

Attachment 185480

wasif · 17th May 2010, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasli

This car got exported ??????? I saw it in November 2007 ....

It appears it was in UK for a restoration and is now back with the owners in India !

DKG · 22nd May 2010, 10:44

Does anyone have pictures of the Rolls Royces with the Vizianagaram family? One of which was apparently a very special RR

travancore · 22nd May 2010, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKG

Does anyone have pictures of the Rolls Royces with the Vizianagaram family? One of which was apparently a very special RR

Here is one for you DKG....

The polished Aluminum Vizianagaram PI (Chassis 16-HC) is pretty well known and well published. It may already be on T-BHP (can't find it though)
Photo below courtesy "Autocar - RR compilation"

DKG · 23rd May 2010, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore

The polished Aluminum Vizianagaram PI (Chassis 16-HC) is pretty well known and well published.

Has this car survived Prem? is it still in India and if so any pictures of it in its present condition?

travancore · 23rd May 2010, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKG

Has this car survived Prem? is it still in India and if so any pictures of it in its present condition?

I honestly do not know. I have not seen any recent pictures either.

This car seems to be very similar to the Nanpara PI (6-YC) "Aluminum Skulptur" and recently very much in the news. Both are by Windovers

kasli · 30th May 2010, 18:33

Has this really survived ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore

I honestly do not know. I have not seen any recent pictures either.

This car seems to be very similar to the Nanpara PI (6-YC) "Aluminum Skulptur" and recently very much in the news. Both are by Windovers

DKG · 31st May 2010, 09:15

I vaguely remember a picture posted by someone here on the forum, perhaps in this thread, of a car mentioned as the Vizianagaram car with a collector in Delhi. I am not sure if its the same car as the family may have had more than one RR. It was a picture in a garage where this car was alongside another car

harit · 1st June 2010, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKG

Has this car survived Prem? is it still in India and if so any pictures of it in its present condition?

Hi, just back and lots to catch up.

I believe that this car is very much alive, in or around Delhi, and was used as a template for that recent new creation built on that Asansol Rolls which was earlier a Woody.
As far as I know that state was left with three Rolls's, another one, a smaller sedan was also stuck in Delhi and the third was supposed to be a very precious car, some say that a tree is growing through it, but I have no clue what and where it is. This Rolls also posted by Travancore has most certainly survived, many tbhpians have seen it, being badly kept, and many more are aware of it.

Cheers harit

park-ward · 1st June 2010, 20:37

Re. thread #1175, this is obviously a Barker tourer. Bahawalpur owned #41LK (which they converted to a shooting car in 1933) and #82RM which was later rebodied as a Barker lim dv. I think this could be the first body on #82RM because the original wings of #41LK were retained and they are quite different. It was reg'd BWP-1.
I haven't heard of #16HC since it was delivered to Vizianagram.
#94RF has no "history": it's been in the same family since new !

DKG · 2nd June 2010, 09:26

I am not very sure but some vague memories of reading about a silver bodied RR at Vizianagaram and a car that was buried? Or am I confusing it with another state?

BTW does anyone have details of the Faridkot cars that still remain. There maybe a RR or two and some Bentleys ? Some aircraft too !

Alvis · 2nd June 2010, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by park-ward

#94RF has no "history": it's been in the same family since new !

Ha ha how ironic!

Wish there were a few more of these "history" less jewels

DKG · 2nd June 2010, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvis

Wish there were a few more of these "history" less jewels

Udaipur, Jodhpur (94RF), Faridkot, Nizam to name a few who still have cars since brand new

If I recall reading this somewhere 94RF was not purchased by the Jodhpur Maharajah, but came to him as dowry from his father in law !!

14th May 2010, 18:36	#1201
vagu BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Deutschland Posts: 229 Thanked: 65 Times	1927 Rolls Royce 20 HP Open Tourer by Hooper Registration Number: DS 7695 Chassis Number: GAJ 81 As the Maharajas lost power in the British Raj, they became increasingly hooked to the trappings of power of the Western world. Major western purveyors of luxury goods from Cartier to Louis Vuitton to Rolls-Royce became their personal catalogue houses, as the princes adopted western dress and ways of living. Motor cars were an extravagance that enriched the car manufacturers, in particular Rolls-Royce; regarded as the finest manufacturer, with luxury cars given as gifts and in trousseaus. Purchased new in 1927 by the Maharaja of Burdwan (a region of Bengal, India) as a wedding gift for his son, this fine open tourer by Hooper is most original, retaining the original aluminium body work over an ash frame and all original instruments on a polished aluminium dashboard. GAJ 81 was subsequently purchased in 1958 by Mr Whittingham, an American and driven overland to Genoa, Italy. Photographs and correspondence of the trip included in the comprehensive history file show the car navigating rivers aboard rafts and crossing deserts in Afghanistan. GAJ 81 was shipped to New York from Genoa and was then driven across the States to Mr Whittingham‘s home in Los Angeles, California. Coys Last edited by vagu : 14th May 2010 at 18:38.
	() Thanks

22nd May 2010, 10:44	#1205
DKG Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,725 Thanked: 1,659 Times View My Garage	Does anyone have pictures of the Rolls Royces with the Vizianagaram family? One of which was apparently a very special RR
	() Thanks

31st May 2010, 09:15	#1210
DKG Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,725 Thanked: 1,659 Times View My Garage	I vaguely remember a picture posted by someone here on the forum, perhaps in this thread, of a car mentioned as the Vizianagaram car with a collector in Delhi. I am not sure if its the same car as the family may have had more than one RR. It was a picture in a garage where this car was alongside another car
	() Thanks

1st June 2010, 20:37	#1212
park-ward BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: France Posts: 130 Thanked: 125 Times	Re. thread #1175, this is obviously a Barker tourer. Bahawalpur owned #41LK (which they converted to a shooting car in 1933) and #82RM which was later rebodied as a Barker lim dv. I think this could be the first body on #82RM because the original wings of #41LK were retained and they are quite different. It was reg'd BWP-1. I haven't heard of #16HC since it was delivered to Vizianagram. #94RF has no "history": it's been in the same family since new ! Last edited by park-ward : 1st June 2010 at 20:42.
	(2) Thanks

2nd June 2010, 09:26	#1213
DKG Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,725 Thanked: 1,659 Times View My Garage	I am not very sure but some vague memories of reading about a silver bodied RR at Vizianagaram and a car that was buried? Or am I confusing it with another state? BTW does anyone have details of the Faridkot cars that still remain. There maybe a RR or two and some Bentleys ? Some aircraft too ! Last edited by DKG : 2nd June 2010 at 09:28.
	() Thanks