A Tribute to Ambassador, the King of Indian Roads

A Tribute to Ambassador, the King of Indian Roads 

  

Ambassador - the first car to be manufactured in India, has been ruling the Indian roads ever since its inception in 1948. Originally based on Morris Oxford (United Kingdom, 1948),  the only automobile to ply Indian roads for more than five decades now, has carved a special niche for itself in the passenger car segment. 

It's dependability, spaciousness and comfort factor have made it the most preferred car for generations of Indians.

The Ambassador's time-tested, tough, accommodating and practical characteristics make it a truly Indian car.

Brief History

When the Birlas wanted a new model to replace their already old Hindustan models based on the Morris Oxford Series Il (Hindustan Landmaster), they scouted for the new Morris Oxford Series III. 

The car initially came with a side-valve engine but was later improved to an overhead-valve engine. Also the car at that point was quite an innovation with a fully enclosed monocoque chassis, which is why it is spacious inside.

Hindustan Motors Limited (HM), India's pioneering automobile manufacturing company and flagship company of the C.K. Birla Group, 

They began operations in a small assembly plant in Port Okha near Gujarat by assembling the then Morris 10 as the Hindustan 10. The Morris MO Series models (the earlier one and its next model with a new front grille) were by 1949 introduced, as the Hindustan 14. 

The production continued till 1954, after which the Landmaster based on the Morris Oxford Series II was introduced, with the same 1478 cc side valve engine, drawn from the earlier Hindustan 14.The same engine was used for the older Ambassadors Mark I from 1958 till 1960.

In 1957 all the tooling of the British Morris Oxford Series III was transferred to India. The car was renamed the Ambassador and series-production started in 1957.

Ambassador, the King of Indian Roads

Amby as it’s affectionately known across India, the iconic sight of this workhorse automobile is still as common in daily life. 

A staple among the Indian Government, today you’ll see the updated design more often carrying everyday passengers for hire or Army officials.

Today’s political elite have moved on to western luxury car brands, but tourists, travelers and locals can still catch a ride in the spacious backseats rolling the streets as taxis. 

And inside Amby passengers feel to be treated as an Maharajah

Curtains (specially made to fit) drape dutifully over the side and rear windows with small tie backs. When privacy is required, a simple drop of the tie backs block out the street action. 

தரை வழியில் 

நீர் நிலையில்
ஆகாயத்தில்
எத்தனை வகை பயணங்களையும்
ரசித்தே இருந்தது என் உள்ளம்
நான் நடை பழகிய நாள் முதல்
உலக வரைபடத்தை உற்று கவனித்து
சுற்றி வர கனவு கொண்ட நாள் தொட்டு
எத்தனையோ பயணங்கள்
ஆனாலும்
உணர்வுகளை தாண்டிய
உணர்ச்சியிது - உன்னோடு பயணித்த
ஒவ்வொரு பயணமும்
மகானாக
மன்னனாக
வீரனாக
தலைவனாக
கவிஞனாக
கலைஞனாக
மொத்தத்தில்
நான் நானாக உணர்வதில்
உன்னதம் அடைந்தது 

என்றும் உன்னோடு பயணிக்கும் அழியா கனவோடு
கு ஸ்ரீ மணிகண்டன்