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Standard “S” Vintage Car In Madras – Old Print 1914
This is an old 1914 newspaper clipping of a vintage car in Lloyds Road, Madras, or Chennai. The title reads- An all British “Standard” light car photographed in Lloyds Road, Madras. Possibly up to the 1980s “Standard” automobiles were common in India. The British Standard Motor Company established a manufacturing unit in Madras in 1951.
Manufacturing a wide range of models that included the- Standard Companion, Pennant, Vanguard, Herald, Gazel, and so on. The Herald and Gazel models were the last in the series that ended its run in the 1980s. Pictured in 1914 is a much earlier model the Standard “s” model. An absolutely charming vintage car of Chennai in today’s period. The company first started production in Coventry, England in 1903. They sold 70 of their vehicles to King George V and his entourage for the 1911 Delhi Durbar.
See my post- King George’s Car Delhi Durbar – Old Photo 1910. Read more- Standard Motor Co
Lloyds Road in Royapettah is one of the busiest areas of Chennai. It is near Triplicane and was first developed by the British since it lay close to Fort St George where the British Headquarters was based. By the early 19th century threats from the French, Dutch, Portuguese and local chieftains greatly diminished. So much that Britishers who had residences inside the confines of Fort St George moved out of the fort. Many settled up to Adayar in the south, Nungambakkam in the west, and some areas north of the fort.
Did you know- The first full-scale, self-propelled mechanical vehicle was brought out in 1769. It was a steam-powered tricycle that was used to haul cannons around.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., The Colaba Coast Bombay – Old Photo 1890., Bandra Near Bombay – Old Print 1882., Prongs Lighthouse Bombay – Old Postcard With FDC 1900
