Text by Karl Bhote
Who hasn’t grown up watching exotic machines in movies? Make no mistake, Bollywood has always used the charm of these automobiles to enhance the appeals of its productions. Makes us wonder why an Indian manufacturer still can’t make an affordable fun convertible. Anyway, do you miss the olden days? Well, here’s a look at some iconic cars to grace the silver screen over the ages!
1973 FORD MUSTANG
Don (1978) has gone down in history as one of India’s greatest actor’s greatest films. The action-packed Amitabh Bachchan starrer was a treat for car lovers with the opening sequence showing the stylish Big B making an entry in an equally stylish bright red 1971 Chevrolet Impala. Action scenes featuring cars of all kinds keep making appearances in the film, but none are more memorable than the uber-glamorous Roma (played by Zeenat Aman) and Don riding in a ruby red Ford Mustang Mach 1 convertible. The coolest choice of car for the coolest on-screen pair. Not just Don, but the car was seen in a number of films including Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Awam, Magroor and Tumhari Kasam. By the 1990s, the car found its way into the eclectic Viveck Goenka collection in Mumbai, where it understandably remains a favourite — and in better-than-new condition!
1976 PORSCHE 911S TARGA
A rather exotic car for a Bollywood movie, this Porsche 911S in cool Targa spec made for a memorable sequence in the hit 1980 film Shaan starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in lead roles. The sexy silver sports car is part of a comedy of errors, with the lead pair driving the car down a pristine Bandra Bandstand, before being accosted by the cops. The car would go on to be owned by Vijay Mallya, before changing a few hands and currently being restored for a car-loving superstar in the south, none other than Dulquer Salman.
1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
An oddball classic in India, this 1965 Chevrolet Corvette is possibly the only one of its kind to have come to India. For years the car was owned by iconic actor Mehmood and his American wife Nancy. It made appearances in his films including Main Sundar Hu, Ginny Aur Johnny, Ujala Hi Ujala, ’Jawaband Ek Baap Chhe Bete. By 1986, the car was sold to noted collector Abbas Jasdanwalla who has maintained the car in excellent condition ever since.
1961 FIAT SPYDER
Another Bollywood favourite were Fiat Spyders – a bunch of them were used in films from the 1960s to the 1990s, but none featured more than MRX 4326, a rare OSCA 1500 version. The most popular feature of the car was in the 1965 blockbuster Waqt, with an action-packed race scene between Raj Kumar in the Fiat and Sunil Dutt in a yellow Austin Healey Sprite. They race from Bombay to Khandala, with the Fiat just inching to victory. This celebrity Fiat continued to appear in many films in as many colours, including Sitamgar, Zakhmee, Krodhi, Basera, Dil E Nadaan, Mutthi Bhar Zameen and Chor Sipahee. Today, it’s with a Mumbai collector, finally getting the restoration it deserves.
1933 AUSTIN SEVEN TOURER
The original people’s car, the Austin Seven soon personified the jalopy in Indian cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, often piloted by an equally ancient and endearing old Parsi. This is best exemplified in the 1972 classic Seeta Aur Geeta, where an eccentric Parsi gent and his family have a rather comical fender bender with Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Malini in a shiny green Ambassador. The car was also seen in the films Shaagird and Parchchaiyya. The car has been a regular at vintage car events in Mumbai for decades, under the loving ownership of Mahesh Powale.
1960 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
A scion of Bollywood’s first family, the Kapoors, Shashi Kapoor managed to quickly establish his own identity as an actor in Indian (and international) cinema. And like every film hero should, he got himself a pretty sportscar, and a rare one at that – a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL. Kapoor obviously enjoyed owning the ivory coloured beaut, and the car featured in a multitude of his films including Aamne Saamne, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare, Dil Ne Pukara, Pretty Polly, Shakespearwalla, Yeh Dil Kis Ko Du, Mehendi Lagi Mere Haathand Unchi Uraan. It was even on the cover of Filmfare magazine in August 1963. By the 1980s, the car was sold, and after changing a couple of hands between a few enthusiasts, it remained in decades-long ownership in the same family, where current custodian Kabir Bhogilal ensures it’s ship shape, and even tours in the car regularly.
1969 ALFA ROMEO 1750 GTV
Another timeless action-packed blockbuster, Qurbani featured some very memorable car scenes including the uber-cool Feroze Khan completely destroying a mint Mercedes W115 in a basement parking lot. But the coolest car in the films is an exotic bright red 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Coupe. The car survives in decades-long ownership with Ishtiyaq Nagree in Mumbai, who has always maintained the car in showroom condition, while still driving it as it should be. The car survives in decades-long ownership with Ishtiyaq Nagree in Mumbai, who has always maintained the car in showroom condition, while still driving it as it should be.
1928 AUSTIN LIGHT TWELVE-FOUR TOURER
One of Bollywood’s most famous song sequences was Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pum Pum Pum sung by Kishore Kumar from the 1978 Rishi Kapoor starrer Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan. The Austin loaded with the boys is driven across the familiar streets of Bombay, with a 1965 Mercury Parklane and a 1960 Chrysler New Yorker in tow. The Austin still remains in the same ownership from that time, and with only one previous keeper. It is under restoration with current custodian Kaizad Engineer and hopefully back on the road very soon.
1928 FORD MODEL A TOURER
Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost – the iconic song sequence from the 1977 film Aap Ki Khatir features Vinod Khanna singing in a bright yellow Ford Model A. The car is owned rather stereotypically by an elder Parsi lady who’s on her way to the horse races! The car remains in excellent condition with Mumbai based collector Harit Trivedi.
1965 MERCEDES-BENZ 230SL PAGODA
Another movie veteran, this stylish Mercedes-Benz Pagoda belonged to none other than Feroze Khan. It made appearances in several films including Dharmatma, Satte Pe Satta, Zinda Dil, and Woh Main Nahi. The car’s been in long-term ownership in Mumbai, and is still regularly seen at vintage car events, albeit now in a bright red.
1960 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER CONVERTIBLE
This bright orange flashy piece of fintail Americana was the perfect car for Bollywood. It was seen in many films including Dil Ka Heera, Love Story, Do Aur Do Paanch, Ram Balram, Dil Aur Deewar, Kali Ghata, Hera Pheri, Zindagi, Qurbani, Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon, Agar and Maha Chor. The car has just undergone a complete restoration, and is part of the enviable collection of Hyderabad-based Capt. Kermin Pestonjee.
