Production of India’s Ambassador (Morris Oxford) suspended

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Production of the Ambassador, the first car to be made in India, has been halted.

Hindustan Motors said it had suspended work at its plant outside the city of Kolkata, blaming weak demand and financing problems.

Modelled on the Morris Oxford, the design of the Ambassador has changed little since it first went into production in 1957.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

[“Bill Hancox”Participant @billhancox]

Pity. Quite a car in its day. As a young boy living on a Canadian Army base, I saw many an Oxford, Minor, Hillman, Opel, Zephyr, Anglia etc parked in someone's driveway. In those days (late 50s) most married soldiers brought their cars back from Europe to Canada. Most of the cars adapted quite well to the Canadian winters, although they required a heavy duty battery changeover. The only exception that I can recall was the Austin Cambridge. Those were a seasonal favorite. The owners loved them EXCEPT when the Canadian winter set in. The Austins would not start on very cold days, regardless of how long and loud the owner verbally accosted them.

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Would this not make this the longest production built/running auto in the world? VW being the other one which didn't under go much change.

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

I loved this car. We used to go on family trips to cities north and south of Bombay in the the late sixties and early seventies. My father used to drive that car like a devil….or at least that is what I used to think as a young kid in a BIG car. Mind you, the streets of Bombay and India in general were a lot more empty in those days!. Great car with wonderful memories.

Ketan at ARC

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 27/05/2014 05:44:41:

Would this not make this the longest production built/running auto in the world? VW being the other one which didn't under go much change.

You are probably right. During the 'socialist' political era until the 1980s, one had very little choice in India in terms of cars. It was either an Ambassador or a Fiat Padmini…both with limited colour choice. In India, the waiting list in late 60s early 70s for an Ambassador could run into years!…unless…you could somehow jump the queue and in the seventies a lot of BMC? Diesel engines from U.K. Scrap yards went to India to be reconditioned and put into Ambassadors.

Ketan at ARC

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Are Mahindra still building their version of the Willys Jeep? Ian S C

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Probably….but didn't see that many last year during my visit to India…..I guess that the local Mafia, certain politicians, rich politicians sons and the like got bored with with them. They were the usual buyers…

[Arnie BurrellParticipant @arnieburrell]

Probably dates me but Morris Oxford FJX 507 was my first car, great full length front leather seat !!

awakened my interest in anything mechanical the amount of time I spent under the bonnett

[john fletcher 1Participant @johnfletcher1]

We did a tour of Kerala and Tamil Nadir in a Ambassador fitted with a Nissan diesel engine and dynamo, the taxi driver topped up the radiator at every possible opportunity. We "negotiated" as you do in India, with a taxi driver ( a grand chap) who spoke little English, he didn't have a map or knew how to read one, he relied on us. The engine struggle up in the mountains but go there, had a great time in spite of the engine noise. Flew in to Trivandrum £300 each return. We can recommend South West India, wonderful scenery, beaches and food. Ted

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by Ketan Swali on 27/05/2014 08:12:13:

and in the seventies a lot of BMC? Diesel engines from U.K. Scrap yards went to India to be reconditioned and put into Ambassadors.

I think they started making the BMC diesels in India, many were imported back into the UK to be marinised and used in narrow boats on the canals.

Rod

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 27/05/2014 17:57:35:

Posted by Ketan Swali on 27/05/2014 08:12:13:

and in the seventies a lot of BMC? Diesel engines from U.K. Scrap yards went to India to be reconditioned and put into Ambassadors.

I think they started making the BMC diesels in India, many were imported back into the UK to be marinised and used in narrow boats on the canals.

Rod

Wow, thats a full circle!

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by john fletcher 1 on 27/05/2014 17:37:40:

We did a tour of Kerala and Tamil Nadir in a Ambassador fitted with a Nissan diesel engine and dynamo, the taxi driver topped up the radiator at every possible opportunity. We "negotiated" as you do in India, with a taxi driver ( a grand chap) who spoke little English, he didn't have a map or knew how to read one, he relied on us. The engine struggle up in the mountains but go there, had a great time in spite of the engine noise. Flew in to Trivandrum £300 each return. We can recommend South West India, wonderful scenery, beaches and food. Ted

Went there last year for the first time. You are right, great place, but we didnt travel as much as you did…. £300.00 return…which travel company?

[WorkshopPeteParticipant @workshoppete]

Hi All

I believe the Rover 2000 production line was sold to India did it ever make it into production and is the Royal Enfield motor bike still being made there?

Peter N.

[Warwick WiltonParticipant @warwickwilton12363]

Hi all

I was in india last july and road an enfield through the himalayas. best bike for the job. it was one biult in the seventy"s. there were new ones on the road but they are changing fast. but still look good. trip was one of the bucket list. I think we can still buy new one's down under.

Warwick.

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by Peter Newby on 27/05/2014 23:38:18:

Hi All

I believe the Rover 2000 production line was sold to India did it ever make it into production and is the Royal Enfield motor bike still being made there?

Peter N.

The Rover 2000 did make it into production, but it was not that successful. I think they stopped production of it in India a while back. The Royal Enfield is still in production and I believe that it is being imported into the U.K. by some dealer.

Ketan at ARC

Edited By Ketan Swali on 28/05/2014 06:39:42

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Yes the Royal Enfield Bullet is still in production and selling well around the world. It is the longest-running model of motorcycle in continuous production in the world, since some time in the early 1950s.

[REG RUETERParticipant @regrueter46392]

Sorry Hopper but the last of the traditional OILFIELD Bullets escaped from the factory late in 2006 (or so I believe). Mine is a 2005 machine and despite several minor problems i love it to death – unfortunately since a stroke in 2008 it does take a determined effort to get the d****d thing started! though. The modern Royal Enfields ( built in India) are different machines altogether – they start, stop ,run like clockwork! – and yes my piggy-bank is trembling even as i type this!

RGR

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Morning Reg…

The sound and feel of the BULLET is always memorable. Always brings back happy memories.

Ketan at ARC.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

A bit sad, just last week was trawling the net looking for a diesel ambassador, in my search for a simple motor that I can maintain myself, still looking for something without electronics. My first proper bike was a 350 bullet, everything worked and suspension both ends. Bought from a dealer on HP for £30, my dad had to sign 'cos I was an apprentice. When they moved to India I was all set to hitch to India, buy one and ride it back to UK. Marriage put a stop to that.

[REG RUETERParticipant @regrueter46392]

KETAN

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU'D EVER BEEN AN OILFIELD FAN! JUST GOES TO SHOW

REG

[REG RUETERParticipant @regrueter46392]

GORDON W

THAT'S THE TROUBLE WITH MARRIAGE (SAYS HE CHECKING OVER HIS SHOULDER) I'D HAVE HAD A THUNDERACE SITTING IN THE WORKSHOP INSTEAD OF A SLIGHTY-BENT FJ1200 YAMAHA.

REG

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Reg,

Ask your good lady to show you where the <Caps Lock> button is…

neil

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

A nephew of mine had a Morrie Oxford for his first car in the late 90's, when he got it, it burned more oil than petrol, well seemed to, he soon found another motor.

A near neighbour has an Indian Royal Enfield, its a diesel one with a side car, and very slow, I think he mentioned 45 kph with a passenger. Ian S C

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

A new definition of 'superbike'? Mind you, 200mpg…

**LINK**

Neil

[Author]

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