INDIA: Golden Repairs

Not a ruling Indian Prince, merely wealthy Sir Hukunchand Sarupchand purchased in 1919 a 45 h.p. British Daimler car with a gold-plated custom body which still suits him exactly: Last week, having been overhauled by the Daimler company which boasted that they had found it unnecessary to take down the sleeve-valve engine, Sir Sarupchand’s 17-year-old car emerged from a British plating works which has been doing over its gold surface. On removing the upholstery to renovate the stuffing, enough dead Indian red ants were discovered to make a heaping shovelful. Finally the car was packed for shipment to India with a repair bill of $7,500.