In India, car modifications and future designs are rarely discussed. And it is ironic that one of our generation’s notably iconic and futuristic car designers is, in fact, an Indian, the founder of the world-renowned DC Designs, Dilip Chhabria.
Dilip Chhabria is at the apex of superb car models and concept designs for almost two decades. However, he initially never thought of designing cars professionally. One fine day Chhabria after graduating in commerce came across an ad in an automobile magazine that asked ‘don’t you want to be a car designer’ and caught his attention.
In that moment he realized he should study car design and packed his bags to study the same at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, US. After majoring in transportation design he briefly worked with General Motors. But he soon identified that he was not someone meant to build a handle or hub and returned back to India.
Here he applied for a job at Tata and Mahindra but his education and goals were pretty ahead of time and they really couldn’t understand what he really applied for. Chhabria then asked his affluent father to help him out who has an electronic business. To prove his mettle he was provided with a small space in his dad’s factory, three men as staff and about a month’s time.
Dilip made a replacement horn for the Premier Padmini car which sold beyond what he expected. He was able to earn more money in a month than his dad could in a year. He is 1992 displayed his talent by modifying a Gypsy. Later he worked on Armada and created the design for the first Scorpio. Followed by DC Avanti which is considered to be India’s first ever supercar. This car resembles a Lamborghini, powered by a 2 ltr petrol engine.
In 2003, he designed the gizmo packed Aston Martin DB-8 which is a James Bond films staple. In the same year, the model was launched at the Geneva Motor Show. Since then Dilip Chhabria’s designs obtained diligent reputation and continues to flourish as the top player in car designs and models in India.
(Photo credit: motorscribes, thehindu, intoday, sify)
