Mark 1 Ambassador

[Naren4140]

I am planing on restoring my 1962 Ambassador Mark 1 to stock soon.
As of now it is in a good running condition.
Needs another coat of paint has lost a lot of paint on the top.

When i was away my father got it repainted and the mechanic just replaced the original bumper,replaced the SU carburetor, Airfilter,Manifold and the front parking/rear indicator lights.

The saving grace is that the engine has not been touched and the Inner SMITHS meters(still shows MPH) and the clock is still there.

However needs some TLC and the SU Carburetor, Airfilter, Cutouts, Front Parking -Indicator Lights, I also want to resotre it to the orignal color as it left the factory.

if somebody could point me in the correct direction to the original owners manual and the details that i have to take into account both exterior and interior (lights/switches/horns) while restoring this car. And to dealers who can get parts for me. I have scanned the local gujari the parts are not in good condition.

I will update the thread with some pics
cheers
Naren

[prabhuav]

I think I already pointed you in one right direction - aka a mechanic who is more of a nut than you ...

[Naren4140]

Originally Posted by prabhuav

I think I already pointed you in one right direction - aka a mechanic who is more of a nut than you ...

mechanic is taken care of but i want to see the details myself !!!

that bike of urs is awesome !!!

[karlosdeville]

Hunt around on these threads, youll find some great pics.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...-classics.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-mark-1-a.html

[karlosdeville]

So hows the car coming along? Pics would be nice.

[V-16]

Yeah buddy lets have some pics. The Mark I is a beauty. Take care of it mate. t will make you proud.

[ajay99]

please contact AM somnath at pujapura@gmail.com .He is an authority on Ambassadors

[speedy]

hey naren how is the work on the car comming along? hope you did find someone good to work on the car ? would like to know what the update is and till where have you reached on the restoration. looking forward to see some pictures. thank you

[Naren4140]

I haven't moved an inch on restoring the Mark 1, I spoke to the Mechanic ,he is busy now restoring a Buick Super Eight and asked me to get my car to him in Feb 2008.
In addition i also need parts for my Mark 1.
Please help me folks

It is a 1964 Mark 1 , my father purchased it from a single owner in 1973 for 8000 R's i believe the new Ambassadors costed 18,000 Rs then.

The last repaint happened in 2000 while i was "AWAY" and the mechanic convinced my father and removed the SU Carb, Bumpers, and made it road worthy.


1) FRONT BUMPER (I have Mark 2 bumpers, painted black)

2) REAR BUMPER (I have Mark 2 bumpers, painted black)

3) ORIGINAL SU CARBURETOR (replaced with a SOLEX)

4) ORIGINAL AIR FILTER ("Made in England with patent #'s )

5) MANIFOLD TO FIT SU

6) 2 FRONT "D" PARKING LIGHTS

7) 4 SMALL CHROME BARS FOR THE FRONT GRILL

8) 1 4" SMALL TRIM BETWEEN THE HEAD LIGHT AND THE PARKING LIGHT

9) SU FUEL TANK FLOAT (The mechanic has replaced it with a local make)

WHAT I HAVE IN THE CAR

1) THE ORIGINAL ENGINE (with original 42,000+ MILES not KM)

2) THE SMITH GUAGES (ALL OF THEM)

[Naren4140]

Originally Posted by ajay99

please contact AM somnath at pujapura@gmail.com .He is an authority on Ambassadors

Thank you Ajay i will contact him !

[Naren4140]

In CONTINUATION

WHAT I HAVE IN THE CAR

1) THE ORIGINAL ENGINE (with original 42,000+ MILES not KM) OHV

2) THE SMITH GUAGES (ALL OF THEM)
a) SPEEDOMETER WITH MPH
b) The CLOCK (needs to be repaired)
c) The QUARTER PANEL (Ammeter which works,Fuel Guage, Works, Oil Pressure disconnected, High beam indicator disconnected)

3) The PULL SWITCHES (I dunno what to call them)
a) STARTER (works)
b) PARKING LIGHTS(Works)
c) CHOKE (Disconnected)
d) WIPER(Works)

4) The Center CIRCULAR Ignition SWITCH (where i put the Key) (WORKS)

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED

1) NEED DETAILS ON THE ORIGINAL PAINT AND UPHOLSTERY WHEN IT LEFT FACTORY

2) THE INNER LIGHT SWITCH TYPE AND LOCATION

3) INNER LIGHT DOME' s LOCATION AND TYPE

4) COLOUR OF THE INNER ROOFING

5) THE REAR CIRCULAR LIGHTS BOTH BRAKE AND INDICATOR CONE TYPE LIGHTS.

6)I NEED PHOTOS OF ORIGNAL ENGINE BAY TO CHECK LOCATION OF DECALS AND CUT OUT LOCATIONS

7) I NEED PHOTOS OF ORIGINAL UPHOLSTERY PATTERN

8)NEED PHOTOS OF ORIGINAL DOOR PANELS PATTERN AND COLOR


Phew i am done i guess.
Cheers
Naren

[Sumeet_s]

if somebody could point me in the correct direction to the original cheers
Naren[/quote]

Hi Naren, I don't think you will actually need any manual to restore the Mark1 to its original form as there is nothing to eb done technically (I mean in/ on the engine). Unfotunately, you are based in Bangalore, had you been based in Delhi, I would have helped you restoring this car back to its original form....

However, I'm sure you will have some place in Bangalore where you get parts for the old cars, including the lights, Manifold etc. Try one of these places. I have a personal experience in Delhi, where I was helping a friend restore one of his very old cars and it took us about 11 months to find lights for his car.....PATIENCE My Friend is the name of the game...Don;t get bogged down, just keep looking and you'll find what you are looking for...Cheers!

[sumitkalindi]

Naren, try contacting some of our Fellow BHPians from Kolkata, maybe they can help you to source parts from mallikbazar in kolkata, heard that there cannot be any Amby part that is not available there, but yeah you have to search and be patient.

[karlosdeville]

You seem to be very sure of what you want done, there isnt much more we can tell you

I hope to get you some pics of an original car as reference soon.

[Naren4140]

thanks a lot folks yes i will try to contact the folks in Calcutta. i saw a mark 1 lying in a police station in a neighboring town 40 km off bangalore and i don't know how to approach the cops for parts i guess i am told that they auction cars ...not sure..