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-   -   Classics of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/47406-classics-travancore-cochin-malabar-52.html)

Punalur town hanging bridge , note the bus there.

Any idea what make it is ?

what could be the fuel used in that bus?

Don't know whether it's posted earlier . An early 40's Dodge Weapons carrier WC52 from Ktym used until early 70's by Indian Army. Original 6 cyl 3.7l SV engine is replaced with a Perkins diesel. Not aware of current status.

I would say that this car is an OPEL of the 1930's.

What was the make of the car which was sold in the last 2 years? Maybe an OPEL?

Cheers harit

1954 ponton "The palace car"

the snaps of the same has been posted earlier but this is the current condition.

I have read in articles that "His Highness Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma" used to drive a merc from Bangalore to Trivandrum , guess this was that car. Can some one confirm please ?

Photos copyright to the respective owners

i can confirm the blue Ponton used to be in Bangalore. used to be parked in their property on Cunningham Road, now the HM Geneva towers (where KFC is!)

Thanks AjMat , Way to go !

As the news article says , this blue ponton had some record timings in Bangalore - Trivandrum route.

A couple of more snaps from the auto show held at Trivandrum.

Most if not All of these cars have already been featured/discussed in the classics of Trivandrum and this thread .The white Plymouth was having an MYM registration, and has been dieselised.

Something strange about this car the placard says its a 220a but it shows no features of the 220, it has vents in the front which it should not, also it shows turn signals like a 4 cylinder car instead of spear lights on a 220a. Strange really strange and in pitiable condition if it is a royal car sad:eek: the bonnet also appears shorter than a 6 cylinder model.

If I remember right it is either a 180 or 190 and not a 220 or 220a. I think it is a 180 S (I had last seen this car in 1979 in Bangalore)

This car is not in regular use any more and I don't think there are any petrol heads in the current younger generation of the family. Travancore Royals were more well known for their "humility" and "care for the citizens" rather than show of personal wealth or flamboyance, hence, they may not be great ones to maintain old cars in "mint condition"

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

What I have heard from H.H. himself is that he has made many a trip from Banagalore to Trivandrum in "CAN-42".

Here is an excerpt from The Statesman,Calcutta dated Mar 23, 2012:

"Marthanda Varma has been driving cars since the age of 17 and still retains three of his vintages — a 1955 Mercedes 180D, a 1975 Mercedes 220S and a 1975 model Valiant."

Prem,

I don't know if you recall this - this car was actually KLT 42 (see the Kerala RTO extract - which confirms it as 180 D)

Then latter on it was transferred to Bangalore where H.H. was more or less a full time resident, those days and when the CA series started and # 42 was availble it was transferred to Bangalore.

I was a student in Bangalore during 1974-79 and used to feel very nostalgic/home sick, to see a KLT registration car often on the roads and in my college and hostel premises in Whitefield

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

padbhanabapuram palace 1943

Pic credit :- http://sutmc.com/content/explore-chithralayam

I have been in this palace many years ago, lovely, lots of wood.
But that car, could this be the Buick Limo which Diljeet Titus brought for the Cartier show? Travancore, can you get a better/larger picture through your sources? Picture courtesey t-bhp and its member:D

Cheers harit

Looks more like a Cadillac to me, doubt it is the Buick.