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Originally Posted by Stanher From the number, it seems to have been an Army car! Any history on this that you could get, john? | Quote:
Originally Posted by john a milne Belongs to the Army here in Calcutta and i've seen it for the past 10 years at the Statesman Rally that usually is held at their Fort William stadium. Various people have been after them to restore it and they have a new Commander who has an interest in the Rally where thir mechanics always judge the Mechanical section. it just came in for restoration and Sanjay's comments indicated a lot has to be done. Suggest you send and email to Sanjay to fill in the details. |
This Austin Sheerline was the staff car of General Roy Bucher when he was the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOCinC), Eastern Command, Fort William, Calcutta from 1946 till sometime in December 1947/January 1948. He was later promoted as the Chief of Staff at Army Headquarters, New Delhi from where he handed over the baton to the first Indian Chief of Staff, or Commander-in-Chief if you please, General KM Cariappa in early 1949. I hope I remember my history correctly. I would be glad to be corrected if I have my dates wrong. As it is I can't remember the exact dates now, which I did some time back.
I have slept/studied/daydreamt behind the wall as she, the Sheerline, stood in the garage in the late 1970s, so there's a special place in my heart for her. In fact I would sometimes visit from hostel as much for the cars as to meet my folks maybe. She's always been in this colour from when I can remember although the quality of paintwork and nickel plating was better. There seems to be a general deterioration in her condition, from the photographs. I wonder if the self-jacking system still works or is even there on the car any more? And the lovely black hide upholstery? The Army had a well-equipped and adept garage inside Fort William in those days and she was kept in fine fettle. God, those bumpers, where'd they get the idea even; preposterous! Sad that she has to be sent out for repairs now, but maybe it's good that a professional will give her a stronger new lease on life. There were some more very nice wheels with the Army in Fort William those days; a few lovely Dodge Kingsways, a superb Cheverolet Fleetmaster, a very nice Commer Van and a midnight blue 1969/70 Mercedes 115 that was General Jacob's ride - all residing in the Fort alongside some great personal wheels of the Army folks, including our own midnight blue 115 and some others. People in the Army really had style, and understood their automobiles too. The Eastern Command Officer's Mess was out of this world in its appointment - the decor and furnishings, as was the Officer's Institute - the venue for many a caper with some lovely lasses. But enough of ![O.T.](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/Off Topic.gif) there. Ciao.
Last edited by Prabal : 13th March 2009 at 01:12.
Reason: Added John's quote too
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