The Queen of Indian Roads:
Premier - Padmini

Introduction:

We all know, Hindustan Motor’s Ambassador was the ‘King of Indian Roads’ but do you know there was also a ‘Queen of Indian Roads’? Do you know which was that car?

Let me help you, by giving you 2 hints –

If you ever went to Mumbai then you must have saw these cars as Kali – Peeli (Black – Yellow) taxi.
In 1950s – 1980s there were only 3 cars that were famous they are,

a. Standard Herald

b. Hindustan Motor’s Ambassador

c. Premier – Padmini

If you haven’t got it yet, then it is Premier – Padmini. Which was known as ‘Queen of Indian Roads’.

In this blog we will discuss the rich history of the ‘Queen of Indian Roads’ the Premier – Padmini. So go through this blog and find the answers you might have about this legendary car. If I missed anything, feel free to comment it down.

History of Padmini – Premier:

Before starting this part let me declare that, to know the proper history of Premier – Padmini we must also know some history of Fiat cars. You may, ‘ask why?’. Well, you will definitely know that as you continue to read this blog. So, keep reading and enjoy some info about Fiat cars just after India’s independence.

Fiat – 1100:

Fiat 1^st showcased 1100 in the year 1953 at Geniva Motor Show. This car came to India in 1954. This car had suicide doors like Rolls Roys. Fiat 1100 was really a tiny car. The engine was actually from 1937. As the name 1100 it had an 1100cc engine well 1089cc to be precise, that can produce up to 35.5 bHp.

Fiat - 1100E:

After 1100 Fiat launched 1100E, here E stands for ‘Elegant’. In Bombay, Pune side basically around the state of Maharashtra this car was known as ‘Dukkar – Fiat’, Dukkar means Pig. Now you might ask, why?

Well as per I understood there are might be 2 reasons,

The back section of this car is almost like a pig’s back.
This car had a centre light in the front grill, that looked like a pig’s nose.

The engine was same 1100cc but this time the compression ratio was changed to 8:1 from 7:1. For this slight change the same engine started to produce 40bHp, this car also had a softer suspension. The dashboard was also updated but the speedometer was still in mile per hour.

Fiat – Super Select:

In the year 1961 Fiat introduced Super Select. The Super Select got new back. This model first looked somewhat like Padmini mostly from its back side.

This time the back – side got tail fins in the light, this idea of tail fins Fiat might got from American brands. The same 1100cc engine and the suicide doors were retained but the front grill was changed.

Fiat – 1200 Granluce:

Fiat 1200 Granluce got an entire new body with wide curved rear wind screen. And a new 1.2L or 1224cc to be precise with 10.8:1 compression ratio with 55 bHp. But the saddest part is that this car was never available in India.

After discontinuation of 1200 Granluce the entire new body was donated to 1100 range in 1961.

Entry of Premier Automobile Ltd.:

Fiat – 1100 D:

In 1964, Premier Automobile Ltd. started manufacturing that same car licensed by Fiat. And named it 1100D. Here ‘D’ stands for ‘Delight’ not for ‘Diesel’. This car was a result of joint venture of Fiat & Premier Automobile Ltd. This car was manufactured in Kurla plant in Bombay.

The engine was same 1100cc engine with 47 bHp & 71nm of torque. But the body weight got reduced.

Now the most awaited part is here, “how Fiat – 1100D turned into Premier – Padmini?”

How Fiat – 1100D, turned into Premier – Padmini?

In last 1960s, government became more nationalistic and started throwing out the foreign companies. Also, in 1973 the licensed agreement between Fiat & Premier Automobile Ltd. came to an end.

Here after all cars got the badging as of Premier. Now they renamed 1100D as ‘President’. But due to some reasons Premier had to change the name to ‘Padmini’. Padmini means ‘she who sits on lotus’ as per Hindu mythology this directly refers to goddess Lakshmi.

Innovative step by Premier Automobile Ltd.:

Premier Automobile Ltd. came up with an innovative idea to sell increase the sale of Padmini. They started to sell a drive-away chassis version. Basically, it had half roof, 4 doors, entire front section then the remaining body was custom made by body mechanics or other big dealers.

In this field, Starline limited made some really good bodies. Not only that some of their custom made Padminis extensively used in races.

Some last variants of Padmini:

In the 1980s Premier reduced the bHp to 42 in order to get more fuel efficiency. This time Premier slightly modernize the interiors, along with an optional AC (Air Condition) optional variant.

Padmini S1:

Premier tried to revive Padmini with Padmini S1. Padmini sent the 1.1L engine to Austria for upgradation. They gave a solex carburettor and a thermos stat electric fan to keep the engine cool which gave the output of 48 bHp. It also got a Nissan floor synchronised gear box. Not only that it also got a modern front grill and bucket seats.

Padmini 137D:

After the massive success of diesel Ambassador, Premier also introduced a diesel variant of Padmini. The engine was built under license from Fratelli Negri Macchine Diesel Sud (FNM) from Italy. This engine had 1366cc with 45 bHp. But this was not successful as Ambassador.

In the year 2000 the production of Premier Padmini / Fiat – 1100D came to an end after glory of 45 years.

Export of Padmini:

Padmini was not only limited to India. It was also exported to other countries like Dubai & Egypt. The main change was that these cars were left hand drive.

Conclusion:

The Premier Padmini holds a valuable place in India’s automotive history, earned its title as the ‘Queen of Indian Roads.’ It not only symbolized elegance but also the cultural and economic aspirations of its era. You can imagine the charm this car had by knowing that, in the year 1964, Prime Minister – Lal Bahadur Shastri took a loan of ₹5000 from PNB (Punjab National Bank) to buy this car. Once Dharmendra (Famous Bollywood Actor) said his ultimate goal was buy a Flat and Padmini. In fact, other famous Bollywood actors like Amir Khan, Rajnikant used to own a Premier Padmini. As the time went by Padmini became a famous car for taxi service in Mumbai.

In 2013 Maharashtra phased a regulation to disallow any car that is more than 20 years. But sadly, in 30^th October 2023 all Premier Padmini taxis were pulled off from the roads of Mumbai. We can say confidently it was a car that all Indians will miss just like we (car enthusiasts) miss HM Ambassador (>> Click Here << to know all about HM Ambassador).

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