As we grow old, there will be certain things that one wouldn't want to let go off because of sentimental reasons. For Vijayananda Prabhu, a professional, his love for Fiat cars is what he does not want to forgo.
The owner of three Fiats — a black 1962 Fiat Select and two 1989 Premier Padmini Fiats in blue and purple colour — believes that these cars give him more happiness than the other seven modern cars he owns. Sharing the tale of his blue 1989 Premier Padmini, Vijayananda says, "My dad purchased this car in 1991 and it has been our family car since. Though everyone in my dad's family wasnt too keen on buying this model as a large family will not fit into it, my dad thought this is just what he needed." One of the reasons they decided to keep the car was it's similarity to a scooter they owned back then. He laughingly explains, "When my dad brought the car home, my mother looked at the number plate and noticed that it has the same registration number as our scooter. We thought it was a rare coincidence and felt like this car was meant to be ours. This is also the car I learnt driving in."
The car was sent for restoration in 2007 and brought back home in 2015. "Unfortunately, my dad passed away in 2008 so he could not see the restored version of the car. But I had to get it fixed and bring it back home for my dad," says Vijayananda. The family has travelled to many places in South India in the car and Vijayananda drives it around the city at least once a week.
Though his purple 1989 Premier Padmini isn't as dear to him, this was the car he purchased when his blue Fiat was being restored. He used it for his regular drives. He says, "It's a smooth car with a modified engine. I enjoy taking it for a spin when I'm feeling sporty."
The black 1962 Fiat Select made it home after the mechanic who was fixing the other Padmini car could not take care of it. The car has been with a single owner for over 35 years before Vijayanand bought it in 2011. Recalling an experience, he says, "I remember taking it to a party where my friends came in their exotic cars like Lamborghini, Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz and BMWcars. One of the Lamborghini drivers came towards me and said 'Dude, you have such a beautiful engine lock on the car!'. Hearing something like that made me realise how special this car is."
His passion for Fiat cars led him to take care of his friends' cars when they are out of town."My wife jokes that I run an orphanage for cars at home. There have been regular talks in my family asking me to get rid of the cars but I am fighting a strong battle for these beauties. They haven't created any trouble and always fetched me a lot of respect on the road."
When Vijayananda takes his cars for a spin, he enjoys the occasional 'thumbs up' from passersby and the compliments from cops in case they stop him. He says, "The Fiat cars are trouble-free vehicles to own if you do a good job at maintaining them. If you hear a small noise at some point, get it fixed immediately.
Many car owners make the mistake of washing them too often and leaving some of the areas damp. This will cause rusting and ruin your vehicles faster. It's important to park them in dry places and ensure that the sunlight is not directly hitting your car. And if you have a good mechanic, you don't have to worry about your vehicles much." Though he owns other cars that he uses regularly, he says these three beauties will always be his prized possessions.
(Vijayananda can be contacted at 9845268678)
As we grow old, there will be certain things that one wouldn’t want to let go off because of sentimental reasons. For Vijayananda Prabhu, a professional, his love for Fiat cars is what he does not want to forgo.
The owner of three Fiats — a black 1962 Fiat Select and two 1989 Premier Padmini Fiats in blue and purple colour — believes that these cars give him more happiness than the other seven modern cars he owns. Sharing the tale of his blue 1989 Premier Padmini, Vijayananda says, "My dad purchased this car in 1991 and it has been our family car since. Though everyone in my dad’s family wasn't too keen on buying this model as a large family will not fit into it, my dad thought this is just what he needed.” One of the reasons they decided to keep the car was it’s similarity to a scooter they owned back then. He laughingly explains, "When my dad brought the car home, my mother looked at the number plate and noticed that it has the same registration number as our scooter. We thought it was a rare coincidence and felt like this car was meant to be ours. This is also the car I learnt driving in.”
The car was sent for restoration in 2007 and brought back home in 2015. "Unfortunately, my dad passed away in 2008 so he could not see the restored version of the car. But I had to get it fixed and bring it back home for my dad,” says Vijayananda. The family has travelled to many places in South India in the car and Vijayananda drives it around the city at least once a week.
Though his purple 1989 Premier Padmini isn’t as dear to him, this was the car he purchased when his blue Fiat was being restored. He used it for his regular drives. He says, "It’s a smooth car with a modified engine. I enjoy taking it for a spin when I’m feeling sporty.”
The black 1962 Fiat Select made it home after the mechanic who was fixing the other Padmini car could not take care of it. The car has been with a single owner for over 35 years before Vijayanand bought it in 2011. Recalling an experience, he says, "I remember taking it to a party where my friends came in their exotic cars like Lamborghini, Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz and BMW cars. One of the Lamborghini drivers came towards me and said 'Dude, you have such a beautiful engine lock on the car!’. Hearing something like that made me realise how special this car is.”
His passion for Fiat cars led him to take care of his friends’ cars when they are out of town. "My wife jokes that I run an orphanage for cars at home. There have been regular talks in my family asking me to get rid of the cars but I am fighting a strong battle for these beauties. They haven’t created any trouble and always fetched me a lot of respect on the road.”
When Vijayananda takes his cars for a spin, he enjoys the occasional 'thumbs up’ from passersby and the compliments from cops in case they stop him. He says, "The Fiat cars are trouble-free vehicles to own if you do a good job at maintaining them. If you hear a small noise at some point, get it fixed immediately.
Many car owners make the mistake of washing them too often and leaving some of the areas damp. This will cause rusting and ruin your vehicles faster. It’s important to park them in dry places and ensure that the sunlight is not directly hitting your car. And if you have a good mechanic, you don’t have to worry about your vehicles much.” Though he owns other cars that he uses regularly, he says these three beauties will always be his prized possessions.
(Vijayananda can be contacted at 9845268678)