Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 26: Sight of vintage cars is rare in the city. Few people show interest in vintage cars and try to preserve them. To own a vintage car in this generation is a matter of immense value and respect.
Laxmi Prasad Betta hailing from Puttur near Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is one among them who owns four vintage cars and works towards preserving them. Laxmi Prasad Betta has a lot more interest in vintage cars and has strived hard to find them.
About 15 years ago, Laxmi Prasad Betta had been to Mysuru where he saw beautiful vintage cars which sparked his interest to own one. of its kind. He decided to own at least one vintage car and went in search for such cars that are on sale.
After some time, when Laxmi Prasad Betta was taking rounds in the city he noticed a vintage car being towed to a house which attracted Laxmi Prasad. With the help of his friend Murali Krishna Hasanthadka, Laxmi Prasad spoke to the owner of the car Sullia Muliya Keshava Bhat and bought his first vintage car, a 1954 model Hindustan 14. It was a four-door Sedan manufactured by Hindustan Motors after Hindustan 10. The vehicle was in a bad condition run and was in need of restoration so that it was in a working condition. It took him two years to get his first vintage car restored because it was difficult to find the parts of the car as they are not easily available in the market. It took him several months to find a door handle of the car. He found most of the parts in Bengaluru and some of them were imported from foreign countries. It has been eight years now after restoring it.
The car is very delicate and cannot be used during the monsoon season. However, the car has a very strong body compared to present cars and it makes driving very easy. He has installed power brakes, floor gears replacing hand gears.
Four years ago, Laxmi Prasad bought Fiat 1100 Select (Model: 1963) from Tumkuru, manufactured by Italian manufacturer Fiat. The car was in bad condition. This is the third version of the Fiat 1100 series. It has a streamlined body with petite tailfin. One of the most attractive features of this car is the suicide doors which makes it look different.
He also bought Hillman Minx Magnificent (Model: 1961) from Doddaballapur. When he noticed the car was in bad shape, Laxmi Prasad decided to buy it and restore it.
The challenge in restoring the car stood when all the parts of the car had to be restored. He replaced the cable type brake system with the present generation fluid brake system. Reconstructed a stronger engine foundation. This car features suicide doors and gull-wing hood. He has altered the car with the present generation sunroof which was bought from Delhi.
The car was unveiled in the year 1907 by a British company. The car was lengthy and broad which did not do good in the market. In 1930 the company introduced a smaller vehicle with special features such as front glass that can be opened to get natural air.
All the restoration work of these three cars were carried out by Ashok B the owner of Chamundeshwari Motor Works, Puttur. He took immense interest in restoring and for which he worked day and night. The engine work was done by Parameshwar and Jayanna. The wiring was done by Harish Ragidakumer. With their help, all three cars were successfully restored.
He also owns a 1990 Contessa Classic which was gifted to his father by his friend from Mumbai. This was manufactured by Hindustan Motors and is stocked with Isuzu engine. It is considered as the first Indian muscle car. His father loves the car and his brother supported in restoring these cars as he is a person who too loves cars. The car has a very powerful engine and it has no scope to topple while driving at high speed.
Laxmi Prasad Betta says, "Vintage cars have special value and respect. Try to preserve such vintage cars and if anyone finds such vintage cars for sale can inform us as we restore the vintage cars."