When Gear Stick Wasn't Between Seats: It's Millennials' 'Papa Ki Car', Gen Z Can Call It...
'Mere papa ke pass thi ye car," and that car was most likely a Premier Padmini — the backdrop of countless childhood memories. In the '80s, it wasn't just a car, it was 'the car.' It was the kind of vehicle families took pride in. What many didn't know back then was that the Padmini started its life as a Fiat 1100. It was brought to India under the Italian company's license. Before that, Premier was building American models like Plymouths and Dodge trucks under Chrysler.
The name 'Padmini" was given after the Indian government pushed for more local production and it was chosen as a tribute to the legendary queen of Chittor. It came with a 1.1-litre petrol engine that made 40 bhp, and cost Rs 30,000. But it's real charm wasn't in its specs, it was in the little things especially the gear.
Unlike today's cars, where you reach for the gear box between the front seats, the Premier Padmini had no gear box there at all. Instead, the gear lever was fixed to the steering column on the left side.
A video shared by Harsh Chaudhary recently reminded people of this unique detail. This design allowed for a bench-style front seat which meant that three people could sit comfortably in the front. The gear itself followed a manual H-pattern. You would move it forward and up for first, straight down for second and so on. Each shift made a 'click" sound. At first glance, it looked confusing but it didn't take long to get used to.
The video stirred up a wave of nostalgia online especially among millennials who had seen the car in their childhood or had memories of family members owning one.
One user commented, 'I saw this system of steering mounted gears in my childhood. It looks complicated but once you know how to drive, you'll learn it easily."
Another said, 'I grew up watching my uncle's Fiat Padmini glide through the streets—majestic, timeless, and full of character. Too young to drive back then, I could only imagine what it felt like behind the wheel. By the time I was ready, she was gone. I never got to drive her…"
'I am confused. Wonder how my grandfather got used to this," someone wrote.
And then there was the iconic comment: 'Mere papa ke pass thi ye car."
The Premier Padmini was more than just a household car, it was also the heart of Mumbai's roads. It entered the taxi market and soon it became impossible to think of Mumbai without imagining a kaali peeli Padmini moving through traffic.
They ruled the streets for decades, until 2023 when the last few were officially taken off the road. For many, it felt like saying goodbye to a family member.
Of course, the bond Gen Z has with the car is a little different.
'As Gen Z, my first experience through the Bombay streets was while travelling in these black beauty Padmini taxis. I vividly remember when I asked the name of this vehicle, my dad told me these were Premier Padminis. Now I'm bidding adieu – it's the end of a long ride. I view the end of this era with a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for these iconic cars. I also view the transition to newer and more technologically advanced taxis as a sign of progress and modernization in urban transportation," said Soumya Prabhu, who was 18 when she shared this back in 2023, as quoted by Free Press Journal.
But not everyone feels the same pull. 'The fact that these taxis have gone off the road doesn't make much of a difference to me, since I don't remember them much. I haven't travelled in any of them," Janvi Goenka, 19 back then, said.
Still for many, the love never really left. In January this year, a woman in Bengaluru named Rachana Mahadimane made her dream come true by buying a vintage Premier Padmini on her birthday.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rachana Mahadimane (@rachanamahadimane)
'I am pinching myself as I talk to you because I bought a car on my birthday and not just any other car. It is the car of my dreams. I have been dreaming about this car since I was a child," she said.
Padmini isn't just any car, it is clearly a bandwagon of memories.
About the Author
Shahrukh Shah
Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ...Read More
Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India — including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news, EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
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First Published:
July 02, 2025, 10:00 IST
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