Uncovering the Legacy of the Ambassador
In this era of modern & AI-driven cars, many of us can or cannot recall that, there was the car that ruled all over the Indian roads and almost all Indian’s hearts for almost 50years. Can you guess the car?
Still not get the name? Let me help, this car was used to manufacture in India. Okay, the car is Ambassador (in short – “Amby”) by Hindustan Motors Ltd. (HM). This car was on the production line from 1958 to 2014. In the late 90’s & early 2000 people started rejecting Ambassador as a personal car. In the meantime, other companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda got a stronghold in the car market. HM also not upgraded the ambassador as per market needs and poor marketing made a legendary car get into sleep.
About Hindustan Motors Ltd. (HM) :
Hindustan Motors Limited was the first automobile manufacturing company in India. This was founded by B.M. Birla in the year 1942. Yes, the company was established before our independence. Though the company was in collaboration with Lord Nuffield of Morris Motors, who were already selling cars in India. HM started its small assembly plant in Port Okha near Gujarat. Then in the year 1948, manufacturing facilities moved to Uttarpara, West Bengal and started the production of that car which ruled in Indian Roads as well as many Indian’s hearts. The “King of Indian Roads” the Ambassador (Amby).
The other cars of Hindustan Motor Ltd. like Landmaster, Contessa, Pushpak, and Trekker discontinued over the time. But the Ambassador ruled the Indian car market for over 50 years.
Origin of Ambassador:
All though the ambassador ruled many Indian’s hearts for many years but it was not designed in India. HM (Hindustan Motors Ltd.) brought rights and tooling from BMC (British Motor Corporation) for their Morris Oxford Series III in the year 1956. Though it was not the first time for HM to buy rights and produce cars. Previously Morris Oxford Series I & Morris Oxford Series II both rights were bought by HM and sold it in India by the name of Hindustan 10 & Landmaster respectively.
In fact, Morris Oxford Series III was built on the Morris Oxford Series II. We can say model III was a smaller version of model II.
Models of Ambassador:
1. Mark I (First Generation) (1957-1962):
As previously discussed, Ambassador was made on the Landmaster. In the 1st generation Ambassador HM introduced a, three spokes dished steering wheel, a Newly designed dimpled/semi-curved bonnet was also introduced, New designed headlamps were fitted in this model.
The HM Ambassador Mark-I was powered by Austin Motors derived 1476 cc side-valve petrol engine up to year 1958. In the year 1959, the side-valve engine was replaced by a 1489 cc, overhead-valve BMC B-series petrol engine, which produced 55 BHP.
2. Mark II (1962-1975):
In the year 1962, Ambassador got a face-lift the front grill and interior was changed. The interior was further updated with wood grain coated plywood and aluminium bezel in the year 1968. This model was marked in the market by Mark II. The engine was not upgraded in this model.
Though it was never announced by Hindustan Motors Ltd. This model ran in the market for more than 13 years with almost no competition.
3. Mark III (1975-1979):
The Ambassador Mark III was in the market for only 4 years, Also this model was not appealing to the customers. This model was also a facelift version. The front grill & Interior was again changed.
There were 2 models available – Standard and Delux. In the year 1977, the engine was changed to a 1760 cc version of the Morris 1.5-litre inline-four. This was changed to support a full system air-conditioner. But in the year 1979, this model was discontinued.
4. Mark IV (1979-1990):
In the year 1979 Ambassador went through a major facelift. In this new model, the front grill was much smaller in height and new square park lamps and a new separate indicator were also incorporated.
In the year 1980, the Ambassador was launched in a new diesel variant. Which was powered by a 1489 cc, 37 BHP BMC B-series diesel engines. This was the first diesel car in India. Earlier this engine was not available for personal use, these diesel ambassadors were only for Government use or for use as a taxi. This was India’s most expensive car at that time.
This Ambassador was available in 3 types of engines they are-
- 1,489 cc (1.5 L) BMC B-series In-Line-4
- 1,760 cc (1.8 L) In-Line-4
- 1,489 cc (1.5 L) BMC B-series diesel In-Line-4
5. Ambassador Nova (1990-1999):
In the year 1990 Ambassador Nova was launched. This time Ambassador came with two new variants,
- Petrol-powered, Delux version.
- Diesel-powered, DX version.
Both engines were 1,489 cc BMC B-series In-Line-4. This time there were some changes in the steering wheel, and steering column. There were also some cosmetic changes like a new radiator grill, and retaining square indicators from earlier Mark-IV.
6. Ambassador Classic (1998-2010):
In the year 1992, another model of Ambassador became available in the market. This model was badged as “Classic” in the year 1998. In this model, there was introduced a 1,817cc Isuzu Inline IV petrol engine & 1,995cc Isuzu Inline IV diesel engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. In this model bucket seats were available and seatbelts became stranded. In the year 2011, it was discontinued because it failed to comply with BS-IV norms.
7. Ambassador Grand:
This model came to market in the year 2003. As per the Hindustan Motors Ltd. This model has around 130 changes compared to previous models. Changes like coloured body bumper, camel coloured interiors, fabric seats, moulded roof, bigger rear wheel drums, improved suspension with anti-roll bar, central lock, company fitted music system and many more. This model was developed by Treves S.A.S. of France. This model was available in 2.0L and 1.8L engines at first, later in 2007, the 1.5L model was also added to the production line.
8. Ambassador Avigo (2004-2010):
This model was launched by HM In the summertime of 2004. Sales of ambassadors were going down this model revived the sales again. This model was designed by Manvindra Singh. The bonnet of this model was inspired by the Landmaster series, the other body remained the same but the tail lamps and number plate bezels were redesigned. As well as the interior was also newly designed, especially the dual-tone badge interior and a new instrument cluster. This model was priced higher than the existing models.
9. Ambassador Encore (2013-2014):
In the year 2013, this model came to market with BS-IV standards with a 1.5L diesel engine. This model was developed with the aid of Austria’s Magna Steyr. This model has the same outer dimensions as Ambassador Grand. But because of the engine, the power has climbed to 48 PS. In fact some left hand drive versions were also made of this model for export, to tertiary markets like Nigeria.
Relation of Ambassador with Public:
Ambassador was the most used car in India. In every corner of India, at least one Ambassador can be found to-till date. Before the Maruti, Hyundai took over the market Ambassador was a car that was used only by the elite class. All-most all MPs& MLAs had to have an ambassador. For these reasons Ambassador became a signature car.
In fact, in the year 2013 Ambassador won the crown of the world’s best taxi at Beaulieu’s World of Top Gear motorsport show. In India especially in Kolkata, Ambassador is still in use as a taxi.
Causes for discontinuation:
Nothing stays forever. After Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda entered in the Indian market and the new sleek and small design and low pricing won many Indian’s hearts. Comparatively the price of the Ambassador was high and this car was bulky and huge. And moreover, that it has less fuel economy and hard acceleration.
After re-launching Ambassador complying with BS-IV standards, the sales did not happen as expected. In fact, it can be shown HM didn’t Market Ambassador Encore as well as it needed to be done.
Future of Ambassador:
In 2014 the brand name “Ambassador” was brought by French auto major, Peugeot in 80 Crores. Now it is time for the good news and the news is, the Ambassador is on the way to make a comeback. Hindustan Motor & Peugeot are jointly working on this project. Being an Amby fan, I wish remodeled ambassador will back to Indian roads soon.
Thanks for tuning in. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post as much as I have enjoyed writing it. But this is just the beginning. There’s still so much more to explore in the world of cars and bikes, and we’ll be back soon with more exciting content that’s sure to get your engines revving. So don’t forget to subscribe our newsletter and stay tuned for our next instalment. Until then, keep on exploring all the thrilling adventures that the open road has to offer!
— by Shubhradwip Paul
