In 1946, one year before India cast off British rule, Hindustan Motors began importing the Morris 10 as a kit and assembled it in Calcutta. Later, in 1949, they imported and assembled the Morris Oxford, which was renamed the Hindustan Landmaster. The Morris Minor was imported and assembled in the same way to become the Baby Hindustan.
In 1957, Hindustan Motors imported and assembled the latest Series 3 Morris Oxford which became known as the Hindustan Ambassador. This rugged vehicle was able to cope with the local roads and it became the Indian people's car. Hindustan Motors have built nearly 4,000,000 units and the car is a common sight on Indian roads.
Every day during a parliamentary session, the road outside parliament in the heart of New Delhi is a sea of white Ambassadors. The Ambassador is still the Prime Minister's official car, as it has been almost since independence more than 50 years ago.
The Ambassador, affectionately known as 'Amby,' has a great advantage over other makes of car because every neighbourhood mechanic knows how to repair it. Most problems can be fixed with a hammer and a spanner, and spare parts are widely available even in the remotest villages. One taxi driver who has been driving an Ambassador for 20 years says, "It can travel anywhere - dirt tracks, muddy and marshy conditions and even on rugged terrain."
It's popularity has started to decline in recent years in favour of smaller and more lively foreign models. However, there is still a market for the Ambassador, the customers being mainly the government, judges, politicians, the military and taxi drivers.
Few changes have been made to the car for more than 50 years. Most have been minor, such as headlights, grille, bumpers and bonnet but it still looks much as it did in 1957. Some Ambassador models are now equipped with bullet-proof glass and armour plating. A new, fully armoured model has been released which is capable of withstanding weaponry ranging from a 9mm handgun up to an AK-47. It is also said to be able to withstand hand-grenade blasts!
The lifetime of the Hindustan Motors Ambassador has been a very uneventful one as regards changes. Unlike other cars, models are not changed every year and the Ambassador therefore must have the most stable manufacturing history of any car in the world. Here is a list of the notable changes in manufacture during its lifetime:
"My Amby" is a 1961 Ambassador which is still in use in Coimbatore, India. It belongs to Mr. Ram Mohan, who inherited it from his father, and who has very kindly allowed me to use this information and most of the pictures on this page.
Click on any of the Ambassador pictures below for a larger version.
| From an advertisement for the Ambassador Classic. The ground clearance still looks fabulous! | |
| This is "My Amby," the affectionate name given to it by its owner, Ram Mohan. It is a 1961 model in original condition, except for the electric petrol pump, which has been exchanged for a mechanical version. This car looks almost identical to the 1957 Morris Oxford I owned in Australia. | |
| 1961 Ambassador "My Amby" front view. Even more like the 1957 Morris Oxford. | |
| 1961 Ambassador "My Amby" interior view. | |
| 1961 Ambassador "My Amby" instrument panel. All the instruments are of original "Smith" manufacture and are in good working order. | |
| 1961 Ambassador "My Amby" under the bonnet (or hood). | |
I have other web sites you may like to visit:
For the neglected British classic car the Standard Vanguard visit The Standard Vanguard
For Robin Hood visit Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and Edwinstowe
For my National Service visit: National Service, RAF Marham, V-bombers and 207 Squadron
For my early life visit Life in the Swindon Railway Village 1937-1958 (or the Memoirs of a Swindon Nobody)
For thoughts on the meaning of life visit God's Viewpoint
Home address of this page: http://www.johnw55.freeuk.com/oxford
Page updated 22 July 2008