Hindustan Motors Ambassador, the legend for the cars in India. It was the perfect car for the Indian roads. One can surely say because of its name “Ambassador” it has become the Politician car. Till its ending days, most of the politicians used Ambassador as their means of road transport. Many older people remember their memories of learning driving in this car. People who are sentimentally connected and those enthusiast who feel proud to drive this car are maintain then in good condition in their garages.

            Once upon a time a customer had to wait for 6 months to get the Ambassador delivered. From this stage the Hindustan Motors Ambassador has fallen to a very bad stage where hardly 5 Ambassadors were produced per day due to heavy competition from other Car Manufacturers. Finally on May 25^th, 2014, Hindustan Motors has shocked the whole world by stopping the production of the Ambassador. India will be missing this hot old lady and no other car can take its place.

            Few enthusiasts have made this lady to look young as a new one by restoring and modifying it to modern needs.  

Let’s see Modified Hindustan Motors Ambassadors

Ambierod by DC

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador was specially designed by DC (Dilip Chabria) Designs and was showcased at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo. An automated instrumental overlay is equipped in this car along with a sat-nav system, LCD tellys and rear display camera. Also included are a flat bed housed with mood-lighting, Internet and video-conferencing abilities. The engine is a revved up V-12 rendition with the interiors resembling those on a first-class jet liner. It has Gullwing doors and large 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Rolls-Royce Ambassador

Both Ambassador and Rolls Royce are know for their comfortable ride. This is the fusion of Ambassador and Rolls Royce attempted to get the unique look out of the cars found on roads. It sports a large vertical front grille with up swept headlamps and glossy black body.

Polar Bear Ambassador

Mumbai-based graphic artist, Hetal Shukla has covered the whole exteriors of this Ambassador with white fur. This end result reminds one of a fluffy Polar bear. Hetal Shukla says that he has tried to relate the extinction of Polar bears with that of Ambassadors whose count on roads is reducing day by day. 

Artistic Ambassador:

This is the royal Ambassador received inputs from famous fashion designer Manish Malhotra. He has showered this hot lady with a lot of colours and with his artistic touch.

Now let’s see Restored Hindustan Motors Ambassador Models

Model 1

This beautiful restoration by Kit Up will make sure to grab attention of everyone on the street it passes through. This Ambassador gets beautiful stealth Frozen Midnight Black paint job with a matte finish. The steel rims got black toned with chrome wheel covers. The car retains original grille and the headlamps with fresh chrome coating.

The interiors have been given grandier look with tan leather. The seats and the dashboard are all covered in tan, making the vehicle much more royal. The roof gets black fabric with LED lamps embedded in them. The engine has been left untouched.

Model 2

The Hindustan Ambassador is the comfortable car but didn’t have great performance. This modified Ambassador by Karanraj Shah of KS Motorsports has changed the way you see Ambassadors. This hot shot lady painted in blood red is powered by 300 bhp engine which Hindustan Motors could have never thought about. This Ambassador is powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with added support like a bigger Garrett turbo, an intercooler and Nismo exhaust system. KS Motorsports has also installed new suspensions, drivetrain and axles.  The interiors also receive a similar red-theme like the exterior and this is undoubtedly one of the fastest Ambassadors seen on Indian roads.

Model 3

Interiors of this ambassador have been updated to ensure that the modern Ambassador lovers travel in utmost comfort. The old bulky steel wheels have been changed with beautiful dual-spoke alloy wheels. This Ambassador also gets new fog lamps and customised ORVMs on the outside.

The interiors are covered with black leather and red diamond stitching on it. This Ambassador gets customised wiring to take on the added load of new equipment - always-on rear camera, one-touch up and down power windows on all 4 doors, power steering, central locking, dual horn, and infotainment with Bluetooth.

All these modified and restored models gave the Hindustan Ambassador an extended new life after its production is stopped. I guess if the Peugeot relaunches the Ambassador with these new flavours then it would be the automobile market dominar again.

Hindustan Motors Ambassador Modified & Restored

                                                                                                                                          

The Ambassador brand was introduced 70 years ago when Hindustan Motors launched the Morris Oxford series II (Landmaster) with minor changes. To those who grew up in the 1960s and 70s, Hindustan Motors Ambassador was not just a car; it was an inseparable part of Indian lifestyle. But in an era of limited choices, this spacious 4-wheeler was the preferred choice for most Indians who could afford it. Even today for many, the car remains with memories of their fonder and younger days. It was a luxury for some and it has been the bread and butter for many, especially in Kolkata.

Hindustan Motors Ambassador, the iconic Indian car brand that carried both the Prime Minister and the common man, was sold to French carmaker “Peugeot”.

As we know the Ambassador could not compete with the new generation cars, being flushed into Indian Market, production was stopped in 2014. Now after 3 years, The C K Birla Group which owned Hindustan Motors formalised a deal for Rs 80 crore on Feb 10, 2017 with French carmaker “Peugeot”.

A CK Birla Group spokesperson said, "We have executed an agreement with the Peugeot SA Group for the sale of the brand Ambassador, including the trademarks... We intend to use the proceeds from the sale to clear dues of employees and lenders".

Hindustan Motors Ambassador quickly became a national icon and continued to dominate Indian roads till the 1980s, when the Maruti 800 exposed its inadequacies.

From 24,000 units a year in the mid-1980s, sales crashed to less than 2,500 units in 2013-14. In final days of production, only 5 Ambassadors were built.

On May 24, 2014, the inevitable happened when production was stopped at the Uttarpara factory of Hindustan Motors. The Uttarpara plant with older looks of 1942, is the second oldest in Asia after Japanese giant "Toyota".

The PSA Group, which owns the Peugeot, Citroën, and DS Automobile marques, established a partnership with the CK Birla Group in January, 2017 to enter the Indian automobile market. This joint venture, will see the French company set up a factory in Tamil Nadu, with a reported initial investment of Rs 700 crore, to manufacture around 1,00,000 vehicles each year. This venture is not the PSA Group’s first foray into the Indian market. This brand first entered India in 1993 with the Peugeot 309. It was assembled and sold under a joint venture with Premier Automobiles India.

Despite having high market demand initially, labour problems and poor dealer service (PAL’s partnership with Fiat) forced Peugeot to quit India in 1997. The PSA Group again attempted to enter in 2011. A innovative event was held at the proposed manufacturing plant site in Sanand, Gujarat but improvements in the French carmaker’s global plans resulted in the shelving of the project. Last year Peugeot Citroen announced plans to re-enter India+ by 2018. Earlier this year (2017), the company had formed a Joint Venture with CK Birla Group for the Chennai plant. This tieup was to make use of the Hindustan Motors plant in Chennai as its production unit. The Chennai plant currently produces vehicles for Mitsubishi and has a capacity of manufacturing 12,000 units a year.

It is not clear if Peugeot will use the Ambassador brand for its cars in India. A questionnaire mailed to the French company is unanswered.

Hindustan Motors Ambassador is now Sold to French

Ambassador Mark-I (1^st Generation)

In 1957, Hindustan Motors had entered into an agreement with British Motor Corporation to manufacture 1956 Morris Oxford series III in India. All the tools and equipments were transferred to Uttarpara plant in India. The car was renamed as Hindustan Motors Ambassador and was launched in mid 1957 and the early model Hindustan Landmaster, which was derived from Morris Oxford series II was discontinued. This new model included deep headlamp cowls and small rear wing . The dashboard compartment and steering wheel were completely redesigned. The flat-plane two-spoke steering wheel of Landmaster was modified into a dished steering wheel with three spokes made-up of four wires per spoke, for the Hindustan Motors Ambassador. It also got a new dimpled bonnet. This model was powered by a 1476 cc side-valve petrol engine under hood developed by Austin Motors. In 1959, a 1489 cc overhead-valve BMC B-series petrol engine with 55 bhp replaced the side-valve engine.

Ambassador Mark-II (2^nd Generation)

In January 1964, the Hindustan Motors Ambassador front was changed with a closely chequered grill. The interior had a redesigned dashboard with instrument cluster. The initial models had sun mica sheet but from 1968 models it was replaced by wood grain coated plywood and aluminium bezel. This model was named as Ambassador Mark II. The mid 60's model had minor changes to the tail section with integrated lens for indicator and danger lamps. A smaller chrome metal bumper stopper replaced the tall bumper stopper from the Mark-I. This model was sold till mid 1975 and then came the Mark-III model. In 1975 the Hindustan Motors Ambassador had no competition except the Premier Padmini.

Ambassador Mark-III (3rd generation)

In 1975 the Mark-III version was launched with another small change in front with horizontal louvres and a round profile indicator lamps separated from the grill giving it a modern feel . More modern looking number plate bezel has replaced the early design which was commonly used by many other British cars. The interior had a upgraded dashboard with 3 standard instruments mounted on a black recessed mesh. By 1978, the Standard and Deluxe versions were introduced. The Deluxe version had four meters plus the speedometer on dashboard. Just before the launch of the Mark 4, wiper configuration was changed to common direction sweep for both wipers. The Hindustan Motors Ambassador Mark-III was in production for only 3 years and was replaced with Mark-IV model in 1977.

Ambassador Mark-IV (4th generation)

In 1979 the Hindustan Motors Ambassador front got a major change which was continued till its end in 2014. The grill height was reduced with a larger chequered grill and square park lamps were added in place of indicator lamps. Separate amber indicator lamps were embedded on the front spoiler below the bumper. This model was labelled as the Mark 4. In addition to the existing petrol version, a diesel variant was launched with a 1489 cc, BMC B-series diesel engine which delivered 37 bhp of power. It was the first diesel car in India and got a huge response from Indians. Mark 4 was the last car of the Mark series. In 1990, the Hindustan Motors Ambassador got major cosmetic changes mainly in the front styling and with minor changes to the dashboard. These changed were mainly because of the protectionist policies followed by the Indian government at the time.

Ambassador Nova (Fifth generation)

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador Nova was launched in 1990 in two variants, Deluxe version with 55 bhp powered petrol engine and Diesel DX version with 37 bhp powered diesel engine . Ambassador Nova had significant upgrades with modern steering wheel, new steering column, better braking and electrical systems and a new radiator grille.

Ambassador 1800 ISZ

In 1992 another version was released and named as the Ambassador 1800 ISZ, in an attempt to increase its appeal. This new Hindustan Motors Ambassador model was powered by 1800 cc Isuzu inline-four engine which delivered 75 bhp of power. this is a slightly detuned engine that was used in Hindustan Motors luxury model HM Contessa 1.8 GL that produced a power of 88 bhp. It had a five-speed manual gearbox, and also had the option of bucket seats, as opposed to the earlier bench seats. The entire dashboard was redesigned. Instrumentation panels were shifted from the centre of the dashboard to the right, behind the steering wheel. Seat belts became standard. Since 1985, this 1817 cc/ 75 bhp (@ 5000 rpm), OHC, Isuzu engine, with 4 in-line cylinders and a max torque of 13.8 Kgm (@ 3000 rpm ) was provided for the special ordered VIP models with armour plating (Bulletproof). From early 1990s, this engine was available as an option, in all the Ambassadors and this modern Japanese engine proved to be a success one lasted till the Hindustan Motors Ambassador entire production run.

Ambassador Grand

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador Grand was launched in 2003 with 137 new changes compared to its earlier varients. The changes included body coloured bumpers, camel coloured interiors, fabric seats, remote shift gear lever, moulded door trims and roof, salisbury axles, bigger rear wheel drums, improved suspension system with anti roll bar, central door lock system, pre-installed music system and an optional sun roof. This Hindustan Motors Ambassador was available only in 2.0L and 1.8L engines. In 2007 the 1.5L model was added to the production line.

Ambassador Avigo

The Avigo model launched in 2004 is the revision of the Hindustan Motors Ambassador, a part of a brand revitalisation kicked off in the middle of 2003. The change of name indicated a different marketing strategy. Manvindra Singh has designed the exterior of this Ambassador Avigo. However, the most intensive influence on the front bonnet has been that of the original Landmaster series. At the rear tail lamp and name plate bezels were redesigned and main panels remained as it is. Internally the Avigo, however, had much more classic-touch. The dashboard console was redesigned with a classic retro theme resembling of the early models with central mounted meter new clusters (like the Mark IV models). Seats were specially built with dual tonne beige coloured scheme and with wood-grain interiors. A 6CD Kenwood audio system and new air-conditioning system were installed. The car was priced higher than the existing models.

Hindustan Motors Ambassador Historic Variants

The Hindu News

The Legendary Hindustan Motors Ambassador was an automobile manufactured by Hindustan Motors of India at its Uttarpara plant near Kolkata, West Bengal. It was in production for a large duration of 56 years from 1958 to 2014 with minimal improvements and changes. The Hindustan Motors Ambassador was based on the design of Morris Oxford series III model, manufactured by Morris Motors Limited at Cowley, Oxford in the United Kingdom from 1956 to 1959.

On 11 February 2017, Hindustan Motors had sold Ambassador brand, including the trademarks for Rs 80 crore to PSA Group. They have a tie-up for two joint venture agreements.

Despite its British origin, the Hindustan Motors Ambassador is considered as a definitive Indian car and is entitled as the "King of Indian roads". 

Design and development

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador was based on the design of Morris Oxford Series - III, manufactured by Morris, which was a part of British Motor Corporation. In 1956 Morris Motors sold the rights and tooling to Hindustan Motors. It had even done this for its previous Series-I and Series-II models which were sold by Hindustan Motors as Hindustan 10 and Landmaster. The Oxford Series-III model itself was a developed from the Morris Oxford Series-II model which was developed before the Austin Motors and Morris Motors have merged. This car was quite spacious due to its semi-monocoque design which was a remarkable advancement in vehicle engineering. This car was designed by Alec Issigonis who have also designed the famous Mini and Morris Minor.

Production years

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador was one of only a handful couple of autos that were underway after the 1954 government approach of advancing astute Automobile industry. It was a market dominator for its roomy size contrasted with its opponents like Premier Padmini and Standard 10. Be that as it may, from mid-80's it seen the start of defeat of its predominance when Maruti Suzuki has presented its current composed and low-estimated Maruti 800 hatchback. In the mid-1990s, the Hindustan Motors Ambassador lost further predominance and piece of the overall industry when automakers around the globe started setting up shops in India, and offered models with contemporary plans and innovation. The Hindustan Motors Ambassador has stayed as the decision of a lessening offer of civil servants and government officials, and as taxi. It is still being used as a taxi in some Indian urban communities.

Because of frail demand and financing issues Hindustan Motors Ambassador production at its plant outside the city of Kolkata was stopped. The organization had sold 2,200 Ambassadors in the monetary year which finished in March 2014, preceding the generation was ceased.

Evolution

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador has been in continuous production since its launch, with very few improvements. Hindustan Motors shifted its assembly plant in 1948 from Port Okha in Gujarat to Uttarpara plant in West Bengal and increased its manufacturing capacity. 3 years after the Morris Oxford Series-II was launch in England, it was licence-built at Uttarpara, as the 1957 Hindustan Motors Landmaster. Hindustan Motors was the only manufacturing facility in the world to manufacture the parts for Bedford trucks. A year after BS IV emission standards were rolled out in 11 Indian cities, sale of Hindustan Motors Ambassador taxis has been banned. However, Hindustan Motors have started to fit the cars with a new, smoothened diesel engine, to follow the new emission norms; and has been able to resume taxi service in cities in which it was banned. The Hindustan Motors Ambassador is still a familiar sight on India's roads.

Hindustan Motors Ambassador