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Celebration time: The Ambassador
turns 50
The Hindustan Ambassador may not
be ruling Indian roads anymore, but it
is still around and probably be around
for another 10 years.
BY OUR AUTO CORRESPONDENT
January 12, 2006 Much before the
advent of all those swank beauties
that rule the road these days, all
Indian roads had a common feature. The
Amby. It has been 50 long years since
the Ambassador, the oldest automobile
brand in India, debuted on the rugged
Indian terrain.
The Amby is moving into its golden
jubilee year of production and the
maker Hindustan Motors (HM) is
planning a salute with a limited
edition ‘Golden Amby’ model. The
Golden Amby will don a new ceremonial
colour and will feature new upholstery
and fittings, but obviously, will
retain its bulky lines, along with the
legendary “bench seat” at the front,
reports a financial daily.
It all happened in the year 1957. The
Ambassador was born at Uttarpara in
Kolkata. Fifty years since, the Amby
is still the Amby, not making a
compromise even on its shape. The
shape has remained virtually
unchanged, from its Morris Oxford
days, which was originally launched in
India as completely built units
imported from the UK in 1944. The
Ambassador however made a few
modifications technically and named
them Mark I, Mark II, Mark III Ambys.
The most interesting fact about the
Amby, even after 50 years it was born,
is that the car has an ardent fan
following, which includes Pt. Ravi
Shankar, R K Laxman, Mark Tully and
actor-turned-MP, e Govinda. Delhi’s
politicians swear by the vehicle.
Taxi operators across the country
still drive clients around in the Amby.
There of course has been competition
from other players of late, however an
Amby lover always asks for a drive in
India’s own machine. Moreover, low
running ole costs, less repair and
enormous amount of space, while
foreign tourists specifically ask for
it to live up the real Indian
experience.
And its been a long 50 year period.
The beauty of the golden jublee is
that the Amby is still loved by many.
It will continue to be.
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