The paint used back then during restoration was Duco and the factory shade was called Pale Lilac.
BHPian arun1100 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Dad’s Premier Padmini at 34!
Here are some updates of Dad’s Premier Padmini. Its been blissful 34 years with our family and last 22 years has been even more special as my Dad gifted the car to me and has been in taken care in preservation mode since then. And the last 16 years the car has been driven regularly than ever before as we formed the FIAT Club in Bangalore which helped me to maintain and keep the car running regularly.
During the initial decade of the Padmini, it was driven around only in the weekends even though it was the lone car in the garage. Every Saturday evenings, my Dad used to take all our family – three sisters, parents and me in the Padmini to the temple which has been the ritual all my life. Due to this, even though the Padmini is 34 years old, it is driven only 38,500 kms till date. Full restoration was still needed and done 14 years back due to the dings caused due by the Bangalore traffic.
Premier Padmini “Economy” – The rare version of the Padmini also the base version!
Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Premier launched the base version of the Padmini called the Economy. Lot of finer details about the Economy version was shared with us by D-Bhpian Behram Sir, like the black honeycomb grill, full rubber bumper guards etc. Decades later, only few of such examples survive across the country and my Padmini happens to one of them!
Infact I think I have seen just one or two of such original Economy cars. My Padmini being a really rare and historic car, it brings me ever more immense pride in owning it. Here’s an ad from PAL about the Economy car indicating Economy version booking is extended to 26th Jan 1991. Since my car was bought home from the dealer on 7th Feb 1991, I guess mine was one of the last Economy cars manufactured.
Thanks to D-Bhpian Karlosdeville for sharing this pic of the ad with me. Shared here is the collage of the ad and the current pic of my Padmini
Mechanical Repairs and fluids change
The Padmini is parked in the closed parking space at home and taken out only during non traffic hours as it will be stress free to drive. Here the Padmini parked in bright sun with all doors opened for some fresh air to get in and for cleaning the interiors. The car was all set to be driven to the mechanic.
The Padmini required some minor repairs to be mechanically fit. The Brakes needed overhaul as the wheel cylinders were getting jammed even though the Padmini was used regularly. Also it was time to change the oils – namely the Engine Oil, Gearbox Oil and the Differential Oil. Another long pending task was greasing.
Parked at the FNG for repairs. Our mechanic Mr. Mani doing the required jobs
Quick road test once the periodic service and repairs were done.
Rusts arrest and paint patch work
Its 14 years since the Padmini was restored fully and now it was time for addressing the minor rust spots and then do paint patch work and lastly, do the polish/ detailing. The underbody was to be sprayed with anti rust coat to address the hidden rust spots.
The body was closely inspected and the body parts which had minor rusts which were addressed on time to prevent further rusting. Considering the age of the car and the way be it is preserved these are too trivial rust spots.
The paint used back then during restoration was Duco and the factory shade was called Pale Lilac. Thanks to DBhpian Behram Sir, I got to know the original shade of my Padmini. Quite luckily, the original quality paint and the exact shade can still be mixed up. A liter of paint and thinner costed 1300rs. Though I needed a much smaller quantity of paint, I bought a liter of paint as it was the minimum quantity tin to purchase the custom mix the paint.
Shade card of Duco. Seen here is the original factory shades. 
At the paint shop and the Pale Lilac color paint mixing was done as per the Duco recommended formula. The paint guys usually use Duco for house hold painting tasks and they were surprised I wanted Duco for painting a car. 
Original Duco tins of Thinner and Paint
The painter checking the paint with the paint on the body
Painter checking the underbody to apply the anti rust coating
Bottom of doors – Sanded to bare metal
Wheel arch
Top of the door had some surprise rust
No patch work was required, filled in some body filler.
It was time for the patti work on the parts of body which was worked upon
Painting time. Was hoping for the paint to match perfectly.
No rust spots were spared for the patch paint work
Minor touch ups being done through paint brush
The OG engine bay whose paint has aged gracefully
This is the same garage this Padmini has been visiting for 3 decades and a very well know car among the workmen who were all young men back then working with their seniors. Now they run the workshop.
Thanks to these buddies for passionately working on the car. 
The paint matched perfectly!! We got the full body polish done and the beloved Padmini is good for another decade!
Parked at the basement, proudly among the new gen cars
My family at the FCB’s 16th Anniversary meet at Lalbagh, Bangalore
The lone Padmini as a guest at the Bangalore Ambassador Club Meet!
My Padmini posing with Friend’s 1972 Ambassador Stationwagon
Looking forward for some more memorable drives and ownership experience!
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