PREMIER PADMINI: THE CAR THAT RULED THE INDIAN ROADS
I read a review here on Premier Padmini here just 3 days ago. That MouthShut has this car on the product group was a surprise to me. The Premier Padmini still runs on Mumbai roads, mostly cabs. Lord in Heavens keeps this baby going!
You cannot buy a new one though.
I used to love this car.
THE TAXI DRIVERS IN MUMBAI: LOYAL TO THE PADMINI
Mumbai taxi owners keep this antique car going on the roads. Elsewhere in India this baby has been given a burial.
Mumbai Bhaiyya taxi drivers are a garrulous lot. I asked many “Bhai Fiat UNO ya Maruti taxi kyon nahi chalate ho?”
“ Saabji Mumbai mein Fiat ke siwa kuch nahi chalegi.”
Running costs on CNG are low, maintenance cost rock bottom, good mileage, and cheap to buy tenth hand Fiat/Padmini car. Spares cheap and easily available. Therefore good profits for the cab owners. The economics of running this car for cab drivers cannot be beaten by any other new car..
“Bhai saab, phir ye Cool cabs jo chal rahi hain, who log to acchi nayi gaadi khareed te hain.”
“Saab ji, Bambai mein Cool Cab ka dhanda hamare Padmini jaise chalti nahin .”
Much to my delight, these Premiere Padmini cabs still run and I enjoy the rides whenever I am in Mumbai.
MY LOVE FOR THE FIAT/PREMIER PADMINI CAR
Way back in 1960, the Padmini was Fiat D or some such model. After booking the car my Dad had to wait six years before taking delivery! Yes, this went on to an incredible 12 years waiting period some years down the line.
The Fiat D was a gem of a car. The quality control was reasonably good. The hand shift gears, acceleration, feel, steering, breaking, and mileage everything was cool. For a family of 5, this was the best car on the Indian roads, till the Maruti 800 arrived in 1985. We loved our car. Driving in Mumbai was a breeze! We drove in this car all India without any hassles.
The first car I learnt to drive below legal age was the Fiat D. No different than the Premier Padmini, I dare say!
The other cars on the road were Land Master/Ambassador, the Standard Ten and later Herald…..what else….nothing.
THE PREMIER PADMINI
With his promotions, my Dad got a chauffeur driven Amby. This we called “Raja ki gaddi”. Spacious, rugged and hard to drive but nevertheless a great car. The Amby was the official car and the Fiat D the family car. But we rarely went out in the Fiat D and Dad sold the car!
When my Dad retired in 1990, I persuaded him to buy a Maruti 800, which I was driving, and technologically 30 years ahead of the Padmini.
But he was adamant. He said “Nothing doing. I want my Fiat”, now re christened Premier Padmini.
The car was cheap so my younger brother just went to the show room, paid cash down and brought home the baby as a present for Dad.
BIG BIG PROBLEMS
The Walchands and Doshis, the producers of Padmini had made enough money on the Fiat/Padmini. They saw the writing on the wall after the M-800 hit the roads, damn cared about quality control.
The first week, the doors would not close. The metal work and body was abnormal. The bonnet would just fly open while driving. Engine overheating, steering column wonky, This was a dangerous car to drive! The Dealer would not shoulder responsibility for warranty.
Dad made a few phone calls. He had power.
The car was picked up by the Dealer, driven to Kalyan factory of Premier Padmini for a complete make over.
Two weeks later the car came back done up fine, gear box and steering problems sorted out, doors began to shut and lock.
Dad used this car for 10 solid years and drove some 60, 000 kms without too many hassles.
Then….one day….he sold it. It was a sad day for all in the family.
He bought a Maruti-800. In his heart he hated this car. He kept harping about his old Padmini.
When he died, the Maruti car had some only 400 kms on the Odometer.
Most times he preferred to travel in Riks than his own Maruti 800.