Thread Starter
#1
A big hello to everybody.
Its my first time at Automotive India. I'm from Bangalore and have been driving a 1986 Emerald Green Maruti SB308 for over 12 years now. We bought this little green submarine back in 2000 from an owner who wanted to get rid of an old broken down maruti. I also have a story for naming it like I have but its a story for another day.
At that time when the purchase was made, the reason was merely utilitarian in nature; a cheap Indian car to take us from one place to another. We bought it for 40 thousand rupees and put in another 20 to get the tyres and other replacements put in so that it would function well. At that time, it pretty much had all the original parts. I'm no expert but my driver at that time, who used to ferry my father to office, told me that it was a "100% original" or whatever it means. For me, there was no affection, the kind that I have for it now. It was just another car that I drove around when my Santro had very little fuel. (My father always kept the fuel talk full )
We have been taking things out and throwing in some as and when our mechanic felt that some parts was due for replacement. The changes were numerous and it would be difficult to list out all the important and rare spares that we might have lost in the process. I do feel a sense of regret to write this simply because it just drive home the phrase "you never know what you have lost until its gone." The original engine was replaced for a newer engine in 2006 or 07 which is my biggest regret. But I have moved on and am trying to bring back this little wonder of a car to its original glory days to whatever extent that I can.
Over these years, the car and its presence in our family has made it a kind of an icon not just at home but outside on the road as well. People stop next to my car in the usual Bangalore traffic for a quick chat about its origin. Some admire it simply for its classic appeal. People have even recognised the car and peeped in to say hello (or screamed my name out loud to scare me.)
About a year back, we noticed some rust on the edges of the metal portions which meets the glass at the back. There were some on the inside as well which were pointed out to us later. We had only two options; sell it to someone who would take care of it like we had or just keep it and fix it ourselves. I am glad to this day that we chose the latter option.
The first priority was removing rust and repainting the whole car inside out. I was very clear on keeping the colour combination the same and took great pains in making sure that the painter does not mess up. I will stop it here at the moment and let the pictures speak for themselves. I would be happy to present pictures of the any portion of the car. Looking forward to interacting with some SB308 owners here.
This post is also to elicit some responses on the work that I have been doing on my vehicles. I must confess that my intentions do not just stop at that. The intimate bond between a car that one owns is strengthened even more when we give it that the much needed TLC that it deserves. I want to try and share them with like-minded people here.
More restoration and completion pictures soon.
Good day.
*Bornin70s*
Its my first time at Automotive India. I'm from Bangalore and have been driving a 1986 Emerald Green Maruti SB308 for over 12 years now. We bought this little green submarine back in 2000 from an owner who wanted to get rid of an old broken down maruti. I also have a story for naming it like I have but its a story for another day.
At that time when the purchase was made, the reason was merely utilitarian in nature; a cheap Indian car to take us from one place to another. We bought it for 40 thousand rupees and put in another 20 to get the tyres and other replacements put in so that it would function well. At that time, it pretty much had all the original parts. I'm no expert but my driver at that time, who used to ferry my father to office, told me that it was a "100% original" or whatever it means. For me, there was no affection, the kind that I have for it now. It was just another car that I drove around when my Santro had very little fuel. (My father always kept the fuel talk full )
We have been taking things out and throwing in some as and when our mechanic felt that some parts was due for replacement. The changes were numerous and it would be difficult to list out all the important and rare spares that we might have lost in the process. I do feel a sense of regret to write this simply because it just drive home the phrase "you never know what you have lost until its gone." The original engine was replaced for a newer engine in 2006 or 07 which is my biggest regret. But I have moved on and am trying to bring back this little wonder of a car to its original glory days to whatever extent that I can.
Over these years, the car and its presence in our family has made it a kind of an icon not just at home but outside on the road as well. People stop next to my car in the usual Bangalore traffic for a quick chat about its origin. Some admire it simply for its classic appeal. People have even recognised the car and peeped in to say hello (or screamed my name out loud to scare me.)
About a year back, we noticed some rust on the edges of the metal portions which meets the glass at the back. There were some on the inside as well which were pointed out to us later. We had only two options; sell it to someone who would take care of it like we had or just keep it and fix it ourselves. I am glad to this day that we chose the latter option.
The first priority was removing rust and repainting the whole car inside out. I was very clear on keeping the colour combination the same and took great pains in making sure that the painter does not mess up. I will stop it here at the moment and let the pictures speak for themselves. I would be happy to present pictures of the any portion of the car. Looking forward to interacting with some SB308 owners here.
This post is also to elicit some responses on the work that I have been doing on my vehicles. I must confess that my intentions do not just stop at that. The intimate bond between a car that one owns is strengthened even more when we give it that the much needed TLC that it deserves. I want to try and share them with like-minded people here.
More restoration and completion pictures soon.
Good day.
*Bornin70s*