SoCultures October 2018
SoCultures is a global digital magazine. It's about connecting the world with cultural stories and collaborations.
SoCultures is a global digital magazine. It's about connecting the world with cultural stories and collaborations.
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>October</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
a wedding car in the town of Madurai. In 1988 eminent automotive historian<br />
Maharaj Manvendra Singh of Barwani acquired and rebodied the Auburn from<br />
whom I acquired it later. This is the only Auburn Boat Tail speedster in India and<br />
is registered with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club as a rebodied Full Classic.<br />
8. 1938 Buick Series 90, Model 90l, Seven Passenger Limousine<br />
This 1938 Buick 90L eight passenger Limousine was previously owned by the<br />
Maharaja of Travancore His Highness "Padmanabha Dasa" Sri Chithira Thirunal<br />
Balarama Varma Maharaja, who ordered this car from McLaughlin, a Canadian<br />
manufacturer of automobiles headquartered Canada. H.H. Chithira Thirunal<br />
Balarama Varma was the last ruling maharaja of the princely state of Travancore,<br />
in southern India and the state of Travencore flourished in growth multidimensionally.<br />
The car also came fitted with a siren, a red light and a blue light on the fenders (red<br />
to signal that the Maharaja was travelling in the car, blue to signal that his wife, the<br />
Maharani was travelling!). The car originally used Mohair for the interiors.<br />
Maharaja customized the interiors of this car.<br />
While restoring this Buick over the years I had at one time thought of restoring this<br />
1938 Buick 90L to the Canada factory specification but thought it is best to retain<br />
its original custom features, including the Mohair upholstery. So, the Siren and the<br />
flag rod along with the other custom features still remain. The Maharaja’s<br />
descendants have another 38 Buick 90L in their palace, which still has the original<br />
Mohair upholstery on it. This car has been painstakingly restored to Concours<br />
standards by Mr. Manvendra Singh Barwani of Classic Cars, Indore and was the<br />
Best of Class Winner in the Limousine Class at the Cartier Concours D’Elegance<br />
held in February 2013 at Mumbai.<br />
9. 1939 Dodge, Seven Passenger Convertible<br />
This extraordinary car once graced the car collection of the Maharaja of Palitana of<br />
Gujarat. This Dodge was custom-built for the Maharaja by T J Edwards, Adelaide<br />
and was used extensively for state processions and touring. This car was exhibited<br />
at the Cartier Concours d’ Elegance, Delhi 2015.<br />
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