Ambica Agarbathies Owner Pays Tribute To Chevrolet Van: Says It Built His Business
Ambica Agarbathies is a well-known Indian incense stick and aroma products brand. Founded in 1946, this company has a rich legacy. Recently, a video was shared on Ambica’s official social media handles, showing the owner paying tribute to an old Chevrolet van that helped him build his business.
The video opens by showing the owner kissing the vehicle, a Chevrolet 3100 Panel Truck. The terms ‘Panel Truck’ or 'Panel Van' may not be familiar to everyone. It essentially refers to a van that’s based on a pickup truck. Chevrolet panel trucks were quite popular in the past. They served as ambulances, delivery vans, and more.
The vehicle seen in this video belongs to the 3100 series- part of the ‘Advance Design’ series. It was, in fact, Chevrolet’s first notable redesign after World War 2. It came with a larger cabin that offered more room and better visibility. As can be seen in the video, the front windscreen has a split design (all units manufactured after 1954 had curved single-piece windscreens). The cabin design made it convenient and practical for both personnel and small business owners.
Chevrolet never launched this van in India. The vehicle seen in the video, seems to be an import from the 50s. Ambica Agarbathies' chairman likely bought this vehicle in 1967. The exact year of manufacturing remains unclear. This vehicle, however, has a floor-mounted gear lever. In 1948, Chevrolet introduced a dashboard-mounted gear lever on the 3100 series. The vehicle may thus be a pre-1948 model or may have undergone a transition to a floor-mounted setup later in ownership.
The engine in this case, is likely to be a 3.5L straight-six petrol engine (Chevrolet Stovebolt) making around 90hp. Back in the day, it came with a three or four-speed manual transmission. It is unclear if the van is still on its stock engine. Conversions weren’t uncommon in the past. The 3100 series had a payload capacity of half ton.
Later in the video, the owner talks about the vehicle and how it has been an integral part of his success journey. He says that the van holds so many memories. It has been a companion throughout his career and life journeys. It has been part of countless memories and experiences. The entrepreneur then says that the van played a key role in making him reach where he is now in life.
Ambica Durbar Bathi, a premium-quality incense stick, is the most famous product of this company. In the late 60s, the chairman used to travel across Andhra Pradesh in the Chevy panel van, visiting stores and introducing the product. The van has seen both ‘conversions’ and ‘rejections’ during these journeys. These journeys and the experiences they entailed shaped the successful businessman in him. The van had a key role in it too.
The entrepreneur then talks about his bonding with the vehicle. He says that something going wrong with the vehicle would upset him as much as a person/ family member falling sick. It is kept in running condition, and even today, they load it with a consignment every Friday. The panel van has been a part of this Indian company for over 57 years.
In his closing remarks, the entrepreneur invokes Goddess Ambica Devi and seeks her blessings. He hopes that Her blessings be always on the family, the business and the van. He clearly has plans to keep the Chevy panel van alive and pass it to future generations.