Vintage Motor Cars in British India & Bombay Gateway Scene, 2 Photos 1912-30
There are two photographs, one from 1920 showing a 1912 Buick Tourer and its occupants. The second is from the 1930s, shows a 1928 Chevrolet and a 1931 Ford Model A. Both parked against the backdrop of the Gateway of India. The early decades of the 20th century marked a fascinating transition in transportation across British India. Imported automobiles began to appear, jostling with traditional modes of transport like horse-drawn carriages, bullock carts, hand rickshaws, etc. The American-built Buick Tourer represented a rugged, open-bodied vehicle that first adapted to India’s challenging roads and climate at the time. These early motor cars were typically owned by colonial officials, princely elites, and the wealthy.
The second image shifts forward to 1930s Bombay. Where the newly completed Gateway of India formed a striking backdrop to a pair of more modern, enclosed sedans, likely a Chevrolet and a Ford Model A. By this time, automobiles had become more visible in Indian cities. Serving not only officials but also businessmen and professionals navigating the expanding urban environment. Together, these two photographs offer a compelling visual narrative of how early motor cars in British India evolved over just two decades. Click the first image to enlarge.
Did you know – in the early days, fuel was bought in tins from medical shops, general stores, hardware stores, etc. Imagine buying petrol like medicine!
