Early Vintage Cars In Bombay – 4 Old Postcards
Four old postcards with vintage cars in Bombay, now Mumbai. The automobiles in the pictures are probably from the 1920s to the 1940s. In present times these would be considered vintage. But back then it would have been the latest models. It is believed a Calcutta resident brought the first car to India in 1897. Although this is questionable since the Maharaja of Patiala is said to have imported the first car into India. The following year Bombay had four, Jashedji Tata owned one of them, other Parsis owned the rest.
See my posts on the first motor car rallies Bombay Car Rally Vintage Cars – Old Print 1906., and Motor Car Rally In British India- Old Print 1904.
Madras had its first vehicle in 1901. A. J. Yorke, a partner in Parry & Co, owned it. He would take the drive from Adyar to Parry’s (now Parry’s corner) every day. The first postcard shows three British-era cars in front of the Gateway of India, the second is at Chowpatty, the third is near the Town Hall in Mumbai, and the last shows near the Taj Mahal Hotel. Click on the photo for better view.
Read also These Captivating Then-And-Now Pictures Of Mumbai Will Make You Wish For A Time Machine!
Did you know- Pranlal Bhogilal a Mumbai industrialist owned 200 vintage and classic cars and would also regularly use them. He was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for his collection. Pranlal Bhogilal died in 2011.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#11)., 1974 News Photo Cochin Fishing Nets., Eden Garden & Harbour In Kolkata – Old Print 1905., Coonoor In Nilgiris – Old Postcard 1910.