Team-BHP - A Hindustan in the UK

Hi Friends

Thought you might be interested in seeing a picture of a friend's Hindustan - bought new by him from the UK importer in 2004. Very few of these are imported into the UK each year - the cost being VERY high (£12.000 plus). This car is used every day, in all weathers and despite the best efforts of the UK climate, is still looking very tidy :thumbs up

Regards
Ed

Yes, this car looks very neat and tidy.

Ambassador cars was briefly imported to the United Kingdom in 1993 as the Fullbore Mark 10.

From 2002, the Ambassador has been available new in the UK from Merlin Garages, an importer in Wales.

http://www.merlingarages.co.uk/ambassador.htm

When I was living in the UK, I used to regularly spot two Ambys in and around central London. One was brown and the other was kinda off white(ish). Both cars had weird (plastic?) flowers completely covering the bumpers. Both of them are kinda famous among South Asian Londoners.

I had a few snaps of the off white one in my old laptop, can't seem to find it now though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloneljasi (Post 2117017)

Coloneljasi

I think the cars you refer to are owned by a London cab firm (Karma cabs) who own a fleet of 4-5 of these vehicles.

I had a chance to buy the car shown here by me this year but was put off by the spares situation - most of the spares have to be ordered in especially and from my friend's experience, parts then take many months and many follow up emails before they arrive. I do adore Ambys though - have done since I saw a picture of one in the late 1970s in a world cars guide published in the UK. I was amazed then that an old design was still in production - even more amazed (and delighted!) that they're still going still clap:

Regards
Ed

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsuede (Post 2117977)

I had a chance to buy the car shown here by me this year but was put off by the spares situation - most of the spares have to be ordered in especially and from my friend's experience, parts then take many months and many follow up emails before they arrive.

Dear Ed Plenty of parts are available from India directly and very easily. Many Bhpians own Pre 60's Amby's and I am sure we can help you keep one on the road.:)

they were imported in limited numbers by some car dealers in UK. heater and seat-belts were added at that time.
They basically Isuzu derived engines, hence parts should not be a problem in car heavens like UK. Moreover Amby uses very crude dated technology and design. Repair is also not a big deal.

This Ambassador is from Surrey, UK.It belongs to the Spares Secretary of the Morris Cowley, Oxford and Issis Owners Club, Oxford , UK. He had mailed me two pictures of his restored Ambassador in 2009, which he and his wife have named as Sachin after Sachin Tendulkar.Incidentally the couple is an avid cricket fan and were too impressed by Sachin's batting in the India-England matches then in 2009.
Note the Morris logos on the bonnet and on the hubcaps too.Also note the original taillights and the plasticky dashboard of the Ambassador. They had got some taxi pictures from India mailed by me, to adapt a colour scheme.They had used the heater to warm up their workshop and spray paint the car during winter of 2009.

Thank you everyone for your replies to my thread.

I can't afford to buy my friend's car now as I bought another car instead but I do get to see it occasionally and have had a ride in it.

The spares that the owner has had on order from Hindustan for months now are new discs for the disc brake system at the front of the car.

I take the valid point about the engine being Isuzu and as such, engine spares will be available easily in the UK - it's an 1800 petrol engine - the same one that was used in the Bedford Midi panel van here in the UK. I imagine that should he ever need body panels it would be a big job getting hold of them though as it's unlikely anyone has them in stock in the UK.

Thanks Anjan for posting the photos - much appreciated. I like the detail mods to this Amby alot - although to most on this forum it probably just looks like another Amby taxi :)

Regards
Ed

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsuede (Post 2120978)

Thank you everyone for your replies to my thread.
I take the valid point about the engine being Isuzu and as such, engine spares will be available easily in the UK - it's an 1800 petrol engine - the same one that was used in the Bedford Midi panel van here in the UK. I imagine that should he ever need body panels it would be a big job getting hold of them though as it's unlikely anyone has them in stock in the UK.

Thanks Anjan for posting the photos - much appreciated. I like the detail mods to this Amby alot - although to most on this forum it probably just looks like another Amby taxi :)

Regards
Ed

Thanks edsuede- some more information from the Spares Secretary, Morris Cowley,Oxford and Issis Owner's Club, UK:-
"The Ambassador engine, [ Isuzu 1817cc ] was used here in the Bedford, then Vauxhall Midi van, so all engine parts, starter, alternator are available here fairly easily. What is not available however are parts for the MPFI system used on the later Ambassadors. There was also an Isuzu Imprezza model with a turbocharged motor available for a short time here, one of those in an Ambassador would be interesting ! About 130 brake horse power apparently."

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007 (Post 2127504)

Agree totally Anjan - an Imprezza engined Amby would be highly interesting - especially if cornered at speed :Shockked:

I'm curious - does anyone on here know of any 'interesting' engine transplants actually carried out on Ambys?

Regards
Ed

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsuede (Post 2120978)

I imagine that should he ever need body panels it would be a big job getting hold of them though as it's unlikely anyone has them in stock in the UK.

Ed, why so?? Wouldnt Morris Oxford series 3 panels fit on this car, considering its based on the former?

Two more Hindustan Ambassador images from the U.K.. They generally spruce up the whole car with goodies and then re-badge it as a Morris Oxford Series III.However these two have not been re-badged as will be evident from the HM badge on the taxi's bonnet and the ISZ1800 badge, Bharat Stage ___ and other Amby stickers on the rear boot of the other one, that has been repainted with a period two tone.

Picture Source MCOIC, Oxford Spring 2011 Q F journal