In a world where sleek, high-tech cars rule the roads, a Bengali woman's heart belongs to a timeless classic: the Premier Padmini. Once a symbol of elegance and sophistication in India, the car not only represents a bygone era but also holds a special place in Rachana Mahadimane's childhood memories. Mrs Mahadimane recently bought the vintage car for her birthday and shared her experience in a video on Instagram.
The video shows Mrs. Mahadimane behind the wheel of her beloved Prime Minister Padmini as she brings her childhood dream to life. She talked about how, after years of admiration, she had finally found the car of her dreams. After months of careful repairs and a beautiful powder blue paint job, the classic car was revived to its former glory.
“I'm pinching myself. I bought a car for my birthday and it's the car of my dreams. I've been dreaming about this car since I was a kid,” Ms Mahadimane said in the video.
The video was captioned: “Ending the year on a high note! Can it get better than this? Special thanks to @jaws__garage for patiently working on my dream car and transforming it into this beauty!”
Watch the video here:
Mrs. Mahadimane also attributed the realization of her dream to the power of manifestation, mentioning that she has seen Padminis all around her for the past two years. “I sketched them, painted them and every time I saw one in my neighborhood I documented it. It feels surreal driving around with these,” she said.
The video sparked delight among users. Many expressed their joy at seeing a vintage car being lovingly restored and driven again, with several users sharing their fond memories of the iconic vehicle.
One user commented: “In a world of high-end luxury car chasing, this is definitely a real manifestation.”
A second user wrote: “My grandfather used to work at Ambassador and he is the one responsible for the name Padmini!” A third said: “I learned to drive on a Padmini and did my driving test on a Padmini with gears on the side of the steering wheel! Congratulations on your very own Padmini.”
A fourth added: “Ah, aren't you an artist, I love it. We also had a blue Padmini and it held fantastic memories as a child.”
The Premier Padmini cars
The Premier Padmini was manufactured by Premier Automobiles Limited (PAL) under license from the Italian company Fiat. It was based on the Fiat 1100 series. The car was first introduced in 1964 and was originally called the Fiat 1100 Delight. It was later renamed “Premier Padmini” in the 1970s, “Padmini” meaning “lotus” in Sanskrit, symbolizing elegance and grace.
The Padmini had a compact, square design with rounded edges, a chrome grille and whitewall tires, giving it a timeless, vintage look. The interior was simple and functional, with a large steering wheel, basic instruments and comfortable seating for up to five passengers. Known for its smooth and reliable ride, it was easy to handle and navigate through busy city streets.
The Padmini was considered a status symbol during its heyday and was often associated with the urban middle class and professionals. The car was often shown in Bollywood films of the 1970s and 1980s, which increased its popularity. In the 1990s, competition from modern cars such as the Maruti 800 and other imported vehicles led to a decline in its popularity. Production officially ceased in 2000. Nevertheless, the Padmini remains a beloved classic, with vintage car enthusiasts restoring and preserving these vehicles.