IAF-1 Ford Saloon That Served Air Force Chiefs for 23 Years Returns at Hindon Parade

The Indian Air Force has many celebrated symbols of its history, but few are as unusual as IAF-1, a vintage left-hand-drive Ford saloon that served as the official car of successive Chiefs of the Air Staff for 23 years. Inducted into service in 1969, the vehicle has remained part of the service’s ceremonial and institutional memory long after its retirement from regular duties.

Best known for its fighter aircraft, transport fleet and helicopters, the Indian Air Force also preserves objects that reflect its leadership and traditions. IAF-1 is one such artefact. The American-made Ford carried some of the country’s most senior military leaders during a period of major change for Indian air power and national security, including the years around the 1971 India–Pakistan War.

The car entered Indian Air Force service on July 30, 1969. Its left-hand-drive layout made it stand out in India, where vehicles are typically right-hand drive. With its spacious cabin and formal styling, it was well suited to transporting the Chief of the Air Staff on official duties. The vehicle’s unusual configuration and distinctive presence gave it a character that set it apart from ordinary staff cars used by the armed forces.

Over the years, IAF-1 became closely linked with the office of the Air Chief. It served during the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1971 war that culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh. That conflict remains one of the most important episodes in Indian military history, and under P.C. Lal’s leadership the Air Force carried out extensive combat operations on both the eastern and western fronts, contributing significantly to India’s victory. IAF-1 formed part of the official transport arrangements during this period, tying the car to a defining chapter in the service’s past.

The Ford continued to accompany successive Air Chiefs through a period when the Indian Air Force was modernising its fleet and expanding its operational reach. As new aircraft were inducted and the service strengthened its role in defending Indian airspace, IAF-1 remained a familiar and visible part of the Air Chief’s official transport.

After 23 years in service, the car was retired from regular duties in 1992. Its association with the Indian Air Force, however, did not end there. On June 10, 1993, Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri formally presented the historic vehicle to the Air Force Museum at Palam in New Delhi, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

The vehicle is a 1967 Ford saloon manufactured in the United States. It is powered by a V8 engine that produces approximately 315 brake horsepower at 4,600 rpm. Its exterior styling closely resembles that of the 1967 Ford LTD sedan, part of the manufacturer’s Galaxie family of cars. The large body, prominent front grille and left-hand-drive arrangement reflect the design language of American luxury automobiles of the 1960s.

Although retired from routine service more than three decades ago, the car has not been confined to static display alone. The Indian Air Force has continued to bring it out for selected ceremonial occasions, allowing serving Air Chiefs to symbolically connect with their predecessors and the service’s earlier years.

It drew attention again during the Indian Air Force’s 94th anniversary celebrations at Air Force Station Hindon in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2026, when Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh travelled in the vintage car during the ceremonial parade. Set against the backdrop of modern military aircraft and helicopters, the decades-old Ford stood out as a reminder of the Air Force’s long institutional history. The car had also featured during the 2025 Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon, underlining its continuing ceremonial role.

With its cream-coloured body, classic American design and distinctive IAF-1 registration plate, the vehicle remains easily recognisable as part of Indian military heritage. Today, it is preserved at the Air Force Museum in Palam, which houses historic aircraft, equipment, photographs and memorabilia documenting the evolution of Indian military aviation. The museum also serves as an important public window into the traditions and achievements of the Indian Air Force for visitors, aviation enthusiasts and young defence aspirants.

For defence enthusiasts, IAF-1 is more than a vintage automobile. It represents an era in which India’s air power was growing rapidly, senior commanders were steering the service through technological and strategic change, and the foundations of the modern Indian Air Force were being strengthened. More than five decades after its induction, the Ford continues to occupy a distinctive place in the service’s history, having carried Air Chiefs during the 1971 war era and later appeared in ceremonial events alongside modern fighter aircraft in 2026.