7 imported regal cars used in India before 1947

India has a rich history of automotive culture, especially among the royalty and the elite. Before independence, many Indian rulers and prominent figures imported luxurious and exotic cars from various countries, such as Britain, France, Germany, and the United States. These cars were not only a symbol of status and power but also a reflection of their personal tastes and preferences. In this article, we will take a look at seven of the most regal cars that were used in India before 1947.

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This car was gifted by Queen Elizabeth to her last viceroy in India, Louis Mountbatten, in 1947. The car was a masterpiece of craftsmanship and engineering, with a 4.3-litre engine and a four-speed manual transmission. The car had a sleek and streamlined body, with a chrome grille and a silver hood ornament. The car also had a spacious and luxurious interior, with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a radio. The car was later passed on to the Indian government and served as the state car for many years. It was used by dignitaries like Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Image: Sothebys

This car was owned by Ghanshyamdas Birla, a freedom fighter and an industrialist. He was a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and often offered him rides in his car. The car was a classic American sedan, with a 4.6-litre engine and a three-speed manual transmission. The car had a sturdy and elegant body, with a long hood and a round headlight. The car also had a comfortable and spacious interior, with cloth seats and a dashboard clock. The car was seen in many historical photos of Gandhi and Birla.

This car was the escape car used by Subhash Chandra Bose, a revolutionary leader and a freedom fighter. He used this car to flee from his house in Kolkata in 1941, after evading British surveillance. The car was a German-made sedan, with a 1.8-litre engine and a four-speed manual transmission. The car had a compact and agile body, a sloping roof, and a spare wheel at the back. The car also had a simple and functional interior, with leather seats and a steering wheel. The car was nicknamed the ‘Great Escape Car’ and was restored by former president Pranab Mukherjee in 2017.

This car was owned by the Maharaja of Patiala, who was known for his lavish lifestyle and collection of automobiles. The car was a French-made tricycle, with a single-cylinder engine and a belt drive. The car had a simple and lightweight body, with a wicker seat and a steering tiller. The car also had a distinctive feature of a rear-mounted boiler, which provided steam power to the engine. The car was one of the earliest examples of a steam car in India, and was used for leisure and sport purposes.

This car was owned by the Maharaja of Mysore, who was a patron of arts and sciences and a progressive ruler. The car was a Spanish-made luxury car, with a 6.6-litre engine and a four-speed manual transmission. The car had a graceful and aerodynamic body with a chrome grille and a sunroof. The car also had a refined and cozy interior, with leather seats and a wooden dashboard. The car was a symbol of elegance and sophistication and was used for official and ceremonial occasions.

This car was owned by the British expatriates working in India before and after independence. It was a stylish and sporty sedan with a 2.1-litre engine and a four-speed manual transmission. The car had a graceful and aerodynamic body, with a chrome grille and a sunroof. The car also had a refined and cozy interior, with leather seats and a wooden dashboard. The car was seen in many photos of the British lifestyle in India, such as the one in Calcutta.