Historical Vehicles of Pakistan

Iconic Vehicles in the History of Pakistan

As we celebrate our 76th Independence Day, it is worth remembering those people, places and events that have left an indelible mark on the history of Pakistan.

In this blog, we have specifically focused on those cars which have been used by various leaders and heads of state of Pakistan. You may already be familiar with some of these like Quaid-e-Azam’s Rolls Royce which was parked at Pearl Continental (PC) Lahore.

However, there are others which have vanished from our collective memory. For example, how many of us know which car was used to receive Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to Pakistan in 1961?

This blog is for you Pakistan history buffs.

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Rolls Royce Silver Ghost was a renowned car in the early 1900s. And guess what, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah used the 1924 Silver Ghost for his personal use.

The Silver Ghost series was the best in the world at that time. It had a 7,428cc six-cylinder engine with a 4-speed manual transmission.

This Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost used by Quaid was actually owned by the Nawab of Bahawalpur. He gave it to Quaid but the ownership remained with him. Quaid and Lord Mountbatten also used it for traveling to the Sindh Assembly for Quaid’s oath taking ceremony of the First Governor-General of Pakistan.

1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

This white Cadillac convertible car (2nd generation Eldorado) was pretty popular in the mid-1950s. A 2-door convertible with a C-body type, General Ayub Khan had this car and here is how this car made history.

Jawaharlal Nehru with Ayub Khan in 1960

To sign the Indus Water Treaty in 1960, Prime Minister of India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Karachi, the then capital of Pakistan where he was received by President Ayub Khan.

Queen Elizabeth II with President Ayub Khan in 1961

On her visit to Pakistan in 1961, Queen Elizabeth II rode with Ayub Khan around Karachi.

Rolls Royce Phantom V

RR Phantom V was a 6,230 cc, 4-speed, automatic transmission, 4 door sedan. It is believed that the Shah of Iran gifted this car to President Ayub Khan.

Willys Jeep CJ5 M38A1

Willys Jeep CJ5 M38A1 was a popular military Jeep produced from 1952 to 1984 in different countries. It was a 2-door, front-engine, and four-wheel-drive jeep with a 2.20 L engine.

On 14 August 1967 when Islamabad became the new capital of Pakistan, Gen. Yahya Khan drove the then President Ayub Khan in this jeep.

Mercedes Pullman 600

Mercedes Benz Pullman 600 was an ultra-luxury car produced from 1963 to 1981. It had different models but the 4-door limousine was inducted into the car collection of the Pakistan Government in 1970.

Firstly, it was used by President Yahya Khan. Then, President Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and later President Zia ul Haq used this vehicle.

Various foreign dignitaries (Palestinian President Yasir Arafat, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Libyan President Col. Moammar Gaddafi, and Saudi King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz) rode in this car when visiting Pakistan. Now, it has been added to the Pakistan Monument Museum.

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

This 4-door saloon had a 6,750 cc engine, and 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission. It was gifted to Prime Minister Bhutto by Saudi King Shah Khalid bin Abdul Aziz in 1976. Many foreign dignitaries such as Shah Khalid bin Aziz, Sheikh Sultan bin Al Nahyan, various Chinese premiers, boxer Mohammad Ali and Princess Diana rode in it when visiting Pakistan. It was later used by PM Benazir Bhutto. It, too, has been added to the Pakistan Monument Museum.

Iveco VM90

Italian-made Iveco VM90 was a military truck used to carry President Zia-ul-Haq’s coffin on 19 August 1988. The president was killed in a plane crash on 17 August 1988.

Mercedes-Maybach S-600s

Mercedes Maybach S-600s is a full-size luxury sedan. It became popular after Prime Minister Imran Khan drove it by himself to receive various important foreign guests, including,