Napiers of Nizam's time regain natty look - Times of India

HYDERABAD: The rust is gone while the shine from a bygone era is back as two priceless Napier cars from the personal collection of the VI Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, were restored to its original look with brand new tyres, upholstery in brocade and all the auto body and trim parts in place. The 1906 classic cars - an enclosed limousine and a convertible - that require a cranking handle to start, will be displayed at the Chowmahalla Palace from Tuesday, two days after it won praises at the vintage car exhibition in Mumbai. "They are colonial limousines made for India. This body style is not available anywhere in the world. The 'Nizam's Green' paint, one in lighter and another in darker shade that the two vehicles sport are the same the Nizam had ordered," said Manvendra Singh, a world-class rest orer and automotive historian, who restored the cars in a short span of six months. The cars are a part of a larger order of six Napier cars by Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (1869-1911) and are the only ones to remain of the five eventually delivered. Interestingly, the order was made after Napier owner S F Edge managed with great difficulty to get a meeting with the Nizam. According to Singh, Nizam of Hyderabad was the single largest owner of Napier cars in India. "Napier was better than Rolls Royse those days," Singh added. Both cars are 1906 L 76 40hp models featuring larger radiators to cope with the Indian heat and have distinctly different body work. Interestingly, both cars have been given Urdu names, painted under the windscreens in English. The enclosed limousine named 'Mojil' has vents built into the raised central section of the roof, for ventilation. The other, named 'Ajeil' is more ornate and was used for ceremonial purposes with a central seat for the Nizam. Since it was deemed impolite to show their backs to the ruler, the seating was positioned in a way to ensure that the occupants faced the Nizam. The car could also be turned into a convertible by dismantling the roof. Both have the logo of the Asaf Jahi Nizams etched on the bodies. Restoration included wood work, painting, redoing of parts and badly damaged upholstery. Along with the velvet lining, the convertible's top too was recreated. The curved glasses, a unique feature of these cars, were also made again with the help of dye as they had all got destroyed. Some tail lamps that used to run on carbide gas in those days too were changed. Older than the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Throne car, the two Napier cars were used by the sixth Nizam who died in 1911. The Rolls Royce was delivered after his death. "The cars were lying in a weathered condition and have been brought back to their original glory. Chowmahalla Palace is now a unique destination for automobile heritage and its preservation," said G Kishan Rao, director, Chowmahalla Palace. There are a total 11 vintage cars on display here and the Palace authorities plan to restore them in a phased manner. via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGIc5FH4Q6C1ul4KiwqwPoriMr9mA&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Napiers-of-Nizams-time-regain-natty-look/articleshow/18567317.cms

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