Tata SE Truck Reimagined As A Lowrider
Tata’s SE series of trucks enjoys a cult following in the country. The 1210 SE and the later 1613 SE have all been commercially successful. These are admired for their OG design and capabilities. Tata SE has also starred in multiple Indian movies and the same has added further to its popularity. A recent Instagram reel shows a Tata SE digitally imagined into a lowrider. An artist named Vaisakh PV has made this CGI that shows a low-riding Tata SE rolling.
The truck gets a dark colourway with contrasting Red accents. The suspension seems to have lowered to the max. The front end gets a massive bumper with integrated air dams and air curtains for better aerodynamics. The semi-forward cowl design is kept intact, with the colours and panels only accentuating its visual appeal.
The engine bay cover has two metal rods at the front, crossing each other- probably reinforcements. On either side are spring-type side rods- a common sight on SE trucks. Drivers use these to get a clue of the vehicle’s and luggage bay’s size while wading through tight roads and spaces. The vehicle gets LED lighting and a pair of aux lamps as well.
The front windshield is smaller than what you’d see on a real truck. The wheels are finished in Black. Fancy headwork is a common sight in SE trucks used in Kerala. The artist here seems to be from Kerala and has given the render fancy ‘head work’.
Previously these used to be done using wood. Recently, however, metal is being used instead. The render has metal headwork. It even has metal doors and glass windows. The real truck, however, lacks doors in the SE form. The SK (tipper) version comes with doors. The side profile gets skirts with integrated air curtains and a flat luggage bay without side panels.
Interestingly, the name of the truck shown is ‘Chekuthan’- meaning Satan- a reference to the Malayalam movie Spadikam, in which the protagonist drives a 1210 SE with the same name.
Tata SE: Quick Overview
SE stands for ‘semi forward control vehicle with excellent fittings’. Originally rolled out in 1964, this series soon became popular. The 1210 SE was introduced in 1975. It was through the 1210 that Tata Motors amassed market share in the country’s CV space. The truck was powered by a 4.6-litre, six-cylinder, OM 312 diesel engine that produced 90hp and 277Nm. It had a payload of 12,500 kg (12 tonnes).
It was succeeded by the 1613 SE, the later iterations of which had a GVW of 16 tonnes, and was powered by a 5.6L, 6-cylinder, Tata 697 TCIC CRDI engine that could produce 135 hp and 490 Nm. The transmission on offer was a six-speed manual unit. Tata SE was available in both the Cab and Cowl forms.
Tata- Mercedes Benz JV For Making Trucks
In the early 1950s, Tata Motors formed a strategic partnership with German automaker Mercedes-Benz to acquire its advanced truck manufacturing technology, including blueprints and designs, which became the foundation for producing Tata trucks of the future.
It didn’t just import European solutions; instead adapted Mercedes-Benz platforms to suit the unique conditions of the Indian market. They focused on making the trucks more fuel-efficient, durable, and reliable to meet India-specific needs.
Over time, Tata increased localization by using more Indian-made components, which lowered production costs and made these trucks more affordable. The process also generated local employment. The JV with Benz thus formed the base for the success that Tata would forge in the future, with its trucks. The SE series could be called the great-grandsons of this partnership.