Team-BHP - Classics of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar

Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

- Vintage Cars & Classics in India (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/)

- - Classics of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/47406-classics-travancore-cochin-malabar-62.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian (Post 3092694)

With out this the popular automobiles wouldn't have been flourished as of we see now. Paul Kuttukarans early ride still on yellow borad, snapped @ RTO premises , when it came for retest.

Is this a yellow board because it is a goods carrier?

Classics of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar-image3565673937.jpg

Cheers

KPS

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD (Post 3092767)

For a car that is with a family who is a major player in the kerala automotive scene, i feel it is not in too good a shape.

Any more pix of the same?

Also, how come a taxi plate?? Does it still have the original engine?

If my memory is correct, this pickup is used to transport the engine blocks @ Popular engine rebuilders hence the yellow borad.

It runs on a Perkins Diesel.

Since it has come to RTO for the retest, the rear view mirrors and those ugly stickers and few more things like FABox inside cabin is to comply the RTO norms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore (Post 3093023)

I am surprised to see a Trivandrum registration - somehow thought Popular Automobiles was Cochin based.

Off Topic:- Mr Paul Kuttukaran was in to Laundry business @ Thrissur, then he diverted in to automobile business. Now the next generation manages the Empire which includes Popular automobiles(Maruthi) , Vision Skoda, Hyundai , Bajaj(Blr), Nandi Toyota (Blr) ( I am not sure about the current owner ship)

The founder Mr. Paul was born bought up and died @ Thrissur.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay99 (Post 3093042)

Your doubt is with good reason.Popular is cochin based and as per MVD records it was registered in their name only in 1986.This car must have originally belonged to some one in Trivandrum when it had the original engine and has the period correct 1958 KLT series number.
It was registered as a private owners vehice then.
It is now having a diesel engine and also registered as a Taxi for reasons best known to the present owners.
By the way this car has nothing to do with the flourishing business of the Group because much before 1986, Popular was a Very big Business house of Kerala.Note that they were the only dealers of Maruti in Kerala till 1991 or so and the biggest auto spare parts dealers in Kerala and maybe South INDIA

After the death of Mr Paul pickup is currently in the main portico of his old house as an icon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore (Post 3093163)

Wondering if this car belonged to a famous physician in Trivandrum - lived very close to the Hospital for Mental Diseases / SAP Camp.

I remember seeing a similar car at his house (Grey / Light blue then ?) during the 1970's, unfortunately cannot remember the registration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPS (Post 3093220)

Is this a yellow board because it is a goods carrier?

Yes it's indeed a pickup, more snaps down the thread

More snaps of fair line . The original engine is not in the bay any more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian (Post 3094288)

More snaps of fair line . The original engine is not in the bay any more.

By the way the registration number KLV-1212 is of a 1957 Ford and this is definitely a 60's ford.stupid:

The Popemobile Snaps shared by the Owner/Popemobile driver Dr. Jose Alapatt Palathingal

Quote:

Originally Posted by kishorelal (Post 3094355)

By the way the registration number KLV-1212 is of a 1957 Ford and this is definitely a 60's ford.stupid:

I think you meant say 1967 + (not 1957). Our 1969 FIAT was KLV-1418. Anyone know of that car....would love to get it back!

Happened at Thrissur, Kerala

Quote:

Originally Posted by travancore (Post 3101634)

I think you meant say 1967 + (not 1957). Our 1969 FIAT was KLV-1418. Anyone know of that car....would love to get it back!

No SIR, I did meant 1957 and not 1967. KLV 1212 could be registration number of 1967 but the vehicel is 1957 model

Quote:

Originally Posted by kishorelal (Post 3102149)

No SIR, I did meant 1957 and not 1967. KLV 1212 could be registration number of 1967 but the vehicel is 1957 model

The classic Gurus may know better, but, to me this looks like a 4th generation Fairlane (1962-65) and if so possiblity of a 1967 registration is there. It looks too different to be a 2nd or 3rd generation Fairlane

Registration definitely is from 1968-69 (our car KLV 33 was 1968 Feb)

My two bits

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

Quote:

Originally Posted by kishorelal (Post 3102149)

No SIR, I did meant 1957 and not 1967. KLV 1212 could be registration number of 1967 but the vehicel is 1957 model

Just to clear up the confusion......

Ford advertisement for 1957 Ford Fairlane

Classics of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar-ford-fairlane-1957.jpg

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ford Fairlane 1964

The car on the left above (from the Internet) is RHD!

Quote:

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian (Post 3094288)

The original engine is not in the bay any more.

Foby,

Any idea what might have happened to the original V8 ? If you know the owners well enough, can you please check up ?

Best Regards & Thanks

Ram

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm (Post 3102638)

Foby,

Any idea what might have happened to the original V8 ? If you know the owners well enough, can you please check up ?

Best Regards & Thanks

Ram

About the engine , it was not in a restorable condition when the car was bought from the previous owner. To restore the body an other fair line was bought from chennai and parts of 2 fairline s contributed this fairline. Sadly both didn't had the engine in restorable condition.

Many of the parts were sourced from US including the current engine.

Any clue on the current where about s ?

Buick Roadmaster?

Quote:

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian (Post 3103756)

Any clue on the current where about s ?

Buick Roadmaster?

One 47 convertible came from Kerala to Bombay and re-registered - does anyone know the original registration?

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville (Post 3104048)

One 47 convertible came from Kerala to Bombay and re-registered - does anyone know the original registration?

As in picture KLT 5464 is the Registration number of the convertible which is featured below , but I doubt that was not the registration @ 1947