That's all, folks

LET'S TORQUE

One of the first cars that I drove as a motoring scribe was a Premier 1.38D "" essentially a 118 NE with an AVL-sourced diesel motor.

I have driven scores of Fiats after that, thanks to the PremierAutomobiles (and later on Fiat) facility being right inside Mumbai island. We drove Fiats whenever we wanted.

When we didn't have any test cars, we knocked on the doors of the Kurla plant and came back in an Uno, Palio or Siena. I have even driven an Alfa Romeo and some strange Fiat models never destined for India right inside the Kurla plant.

Well, last week came news that the plant had been finally shut down. The good old plant that built Padminis in large numbers was deemed inoperable due to numerous reasons.

But it had character. The old buildings, the abandoned Desotos and Fiat 850s, the familiar faces, the canteen where I have met numerous Fiat chiefs (they did have one too many)... I just cannot believe I cannot call Fiat and say "Can I pick up a diesel Palio from your gate on my way to office tomorrow?" any more.

I hope someone has the sense to save some nice cars and make a museum in a far corner of the plot. Actually, why bother? There are 55,000 Padminis running on Mumbai roads to gently remind us that this city had its very own car plant.

bijoy@business-standard.com