Photoessay: Gedee Car Museum, Coimbatore

By Rashmi Gopal Rao

Strolling on the busy Avinashi road in the industrial city of Coimbatore, a brick red Beetle mounted on a pedestal caught my attention almost out of the blue. Needless to say, this piqued my curiosity and as I moved closer, I realized that this was the complex of the sprawling Gedee car museum. A hidden gem in the center of the city, this one is a treasure trove of information for car lovers, connoisseurs and aficionados alike. On the occasion of World Automobile Day (29-Jan) today, here is a look at the museum through some captures.

Beetle mounted outside Gedee Museum, Coimbatore

Set up in memory of his father, G D Naidu, the Gedee car museum was set up by G D Gopal and was inaugurated on 27-April-2015. An engineer and prominent industrialist, G D Naidu is often referred to as the “Edison of India” and “the wealth creator of Coimbatore”. He was highly passionate about cars and the museum has a few of his personal vehicles too. The museum definitely forms for a unique, offbeat attraction in the city.

Inside Gedee Museum, Coimbatore

The museum chronicles important events in the automobile industry and has close to 70 cars from different conuntries like Britain, France, Germany, America and even Japan. The cars are impeccably maintained and against each is a detailed information board spelling out the salient details of each car.

One of the first automobile on display at the Gedee Museum, Coimbatore Peugeot 203 at the Gedee museum, Coimbatore Vintage BMW 700 at the Gedee museum, Coimbatore

The museum also has detailed information boards with vivid illustrations on various topics like evolution of the engines, the history of the Indian transport system and the like. A treasure house of information, the museum forms for a truly engaging visit.

Information boards at the Gedee museum, Coimbatore Information board depicting the evolution of automobiles at the Gedee museum, Coimbatore

G D Naidu’s favorite car and first motorcycle are yet other interesting exhibits.

G D Naidu’s first motorcycle on display at the Gedee museum, Coimbatore G D Naidu’s favorite car on display at the Gedee museum, Coimbatore

All cars have detailed information pertaining to important features, country of origin, year of production, company, engine details, top speed and coach work prominently displayed in front of it.

Cars on display at Gedee Museum, Coimbatore Cars on display at Gedee Museum, Coimbatore

The museum is located at 734, Avinashi Rd, Race Course, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641018.

Click here and here to read about other unique museums around the world.