Station Wagon

• Production – 1958 – ? (late 60s)
• Plant(s) – Mazagaon
• Model – Station Wagon F4-134 4×4 & F4-134 4×2

The Station Wagon was available in both 2WD and 4WD versions, identifiable by the external decal strips (see image below). This station wagon, probably, can be classified as the first all-steel bodied SUV in India.

Station Wagon was fitted with –

• 2.2 lit, F4-134 Hurricane Petrol Engine
• T90 , Warner 3-speed transmission
• T18, Spicer 2-speed transfer case
• Reverse Elliot “I” beam front axle (2WD)
• Hotchkiss drive rear axle
• 104.5” Wheelbase
• 57” Wheel Track

Unique Identifiers –

• 3 Horizontal chrome strips in the front grill
• 2 doors (Driver & co-driver)
• All steel body

Factoid – His Holiness , the 14th Dalai Lama was seen travelling in a station wagon during his escape from Tibet to India(1959). You can see the video here.

Some unique features which were present in the American version but not in the Indian version are –

• Planetary gear Overdrive of 0.70 : 1 ratio. These “overdrive” units were fitted behind the main gearbox and achieved its 0.70 ratio through a planetary gear set. While modern gearboxes achieve this through a simple gear set, the earlier cars has a separate unit as it would have entailed a major gearbox redesign to add one additional gear ratio. This unit is also sold as an optional accessory.
• Planadyne front suspension on 2WD versions had a transversely mounted leaf spring unit. It is claimed to give a much plusher ride due to reduced un-sprung weight. Its an IFS with leaf spring!
• “Lyfe Belt” , a seat belt sold as accessory

Author’s note – Information is sketchy and unsure about dates. If anyone has good information please share in the comments section and/or mail to spkingsley@live.in.