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