I was 4 years old and remember the moment crystal clear – In 1967, I was standing on the steps of our cottage and Papa drove his new treasure up our driveway and parked right in front of us.
BHPian DKG recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
The fascinating world of automobiles is overflowing with incredible people’s stories. Human passion and the sheer joy of automotive indulgence have meant that almost every town on the planet has amazing stories to tell.
This is the story of the life and times of a 1939 Packard Eight whose journey as a brand-new car started in Hyderabad.
Sometime in 1939, the government of the Nizam of Hyderabad placed an order for three Packards to Dadajee Dhackjee of Bombay, importers and sales distributors for Packards in India.
One was a 1939 Packard Eight Convertible Sedan in blue for the Nizam’s brother Basalat Jah, then a 1939 Packard Eight Touring Sedan in maroon for the Agent of Berar, Ehrach Yar Jung, and a 1939 Packard Eight Touring Sedan in ivory for the then Commissioner of Police Rehmat Yar Jung.
APX 110 is the Commissioner of Police car.
In those early years, the Commissioner of Police or Kotwal of Hyderabad as he was referred to was an extremely powerful position in government and after the Prime Minister he enjoyed a privileged position. In the eyes of the public APX 110 as the Commissioner’s car made a deep impression. Seen in regular duty all over town my father Chandrakant Gir grew up as a boy admiring this car.
APX 110 served under 2 commissioners. First Rehmat Yar Jung and then Deen Yar Jung. Post-independence Deen Yar Jung acquired the car from the police department and it remained as a family car until 1967. Sometime during its years serving as a police official’s car APX 110 was painted blue. Originally in ivory, the car had green leather upholstery.
Sometime in the early 60s, my father approached Deen Yar Jung’s family after he had passed on asking if they would let him acquire APX 110. The family said they had a great deal of sentimental attachment to the car as it was their father’s car and hence declined.
A few years passed and unable to get the car out of his mind Papa approached the family again. The last time he had seen the car it was in mint condition with flawless leather upholstery. This time when he saw the car it had been jacked up on boulders and the rats had gotten to the leather. My father requested once again saying if they didn’t let him have APX 110 most likely given its neglect it would end up with the breakers. The siblings consented.
I remember the day in 1967, I still remember standing on the steps of our cottage on Road No 12 Banjara Hills when we heard the fabulous horn of the Packard and Papa drove his new treasure up our driveway and parked right in front of us.
I was 4 years old and remember the moment crystal clear.
When the family consented they probably believed the car was dead and a gone case. Papa knew differently. After the transaction was complete he called his mechanic friend Jehangir Ali and in no time Jehangir Uncle got the car off the boulders, put in a battery and fuel and started APX 110. The clutch was slipping a bit, but they brought her to the garage, and by early afternoon she was sorted for Papa to drive it home.
Countless cars in India in great mechanical condition ended up being neglected by families and many ended up with breakers. Destiny had other plans for APX 110.
APX 110 completes 57 years at home with us. As our family car, she has been a part of so many journeys and moments, making her an integral member of the family.
For me, APX 110 is my bond with my father. A man I loved dearly. Someone who taught me so much about cars, and through example, showed me how to love and care for a great automobile as the APX 110. I learnt how to drive on the Packard and well before I could reach the pedals myself, Papa allowed me to steer and change gears sitting on his lap.
This is a story of a car, its turf being the fabulous home city of Hyderabad, interesting tales and loads of pictures over time.
APX 110 lives to not only tell a million tales but her tryst with Hyderabad is as alive as it ever was.
Thanks to the world of handy cameras I will share perspectives and pictures as APX 110, my daughter and I revisit Hyderabad’s iconic places.
The legacy lives….
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