Corporation of Madras Lorry In British Era, 1919 Photo
A rare photograph from 1919 displays a British-era Corporation of Madras Lorry. A brand new lorry by the name Thornycroft stands in front of the Oakes Motor Garage in Madras (Chennai). It was perhaps for use as a garbage disposal truck. Thornycroft vehicles were at their peak in sales during the British India era. It was manufactured in England, from where it was imported into India.
They manufactured coaches, buses, and military trucks from 1896 to 1977. It was later taken over by the Associated Equipment Company or AEC, but later became part of British Leyland Motor Corporation. After that, the AEC brand name completely disappeared. The photo also displays the names “Corporation of Madras” and “Oakes & Co Ltd.” The Corporation of Madras (now Chennai Corporation) is the oldest in India. It is also the oldest among the municipal bodies of the Commonwealth nations, not including the UK.
Oakes & Co (established in 1843) was actually the biggest departmental store in South India. The store quickly expanded to most other cities in primarily South India. Since motor cars and trucks emerged around the mid-1900s. For Oakes, it was inevitable that they add a motor vehicle division by 1907. They even went on to supply motor cars to the Madras Government. Especially for their use in the 1911 Delhi Durbar. However, the company was taken over by another city-based giant, Spencers & Co, in 1923. Click on the photo to enlarge.
See post Ripon Building & Victoria Hall Madras, Old Photo 1930.
Did you know- the first truck manufactured in India was the Tata Mercedes in 1945.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., Cochin, Ernakulam & Quilon Backwaters – 5 Old Postcards
