Mangalore: The Vintage Car that draws curiosity and attention of people

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 06 May 2014: As the roads and lanes of Mangalore city are inundated with modern cars with varied colours and models, one car that seems to be unusual in the milieu of such assortment of vehicles is the vintage 1984 Fiat Padmini  car that has been in the possession of Mr. John V. Tauro of Shivbagh, Bendoor since around ten years.  Whenever he drives this car around Mangalore, curious eyes turn towards the exterior of the car that is fitted with some of the curious gadgets  associated with the vehicles and also related ones.

 

John V. Tauro has been known for his innovative ideas. His home, “Budget House” is like a mini-museum with various vintage articles displayed neatly. He had also converted a rickshaw  into a high-tech vehicle which is still on display in his courtyard.

 

When asked about the 1984 model of Fiat Padmini that he has been proudly driving around Mangalore, John Tauro said that he had purchased the car around ten years ago in scrap deal from the original owner for ten thousand rupees. With an innovative idea he refurbished the entire car  and kept it in a running state spending around Rs.65,000/-

 

 

The novelty of the 1984 Fiat Padmini is that  in front portion is fitted with gadgets such as the miniature horse-carriage light, a coin inserting telephone  box, miniature street lights, antenna with a mini-TV fixed inside, hand-blown horns and even a bell. In the rear there is a small letter box, miniature street-lights and even a fire-extinguisher. When asked about its use, John Tauro said that if people want to post letters they can deposit their letter in the box which in turn he would hand over to the postman when he comes home for processing and sending to the addressees.  John Tauro said that he has fitted the interior of the car with a hi-fi music system.

 

Speaking further, John Tauro said that nowadays people’s attention is being drawn to the expensive cars costing more than a crore rupees. He felt that he can also draw the attention of the people, especially children by  his own innovative ideas that are less expensive and more educative. Even the police at the traffic signals look at this car with amusement and curiosity.

(John V. Taro is senior correspondent of Bellevision.com from Mangalore)