Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it?

devarshi84 · 14th August 2011, 01:19

Anybody and I mean anybody I have met till date has good things to say about how Contessa looks. Either on the Net or off the net.

It is also a perfect example how Dodge Ford and Chevrolet have rebuilt their brands on Muscle cars off late.

H.M. is also trying hard (not sure if smartly but they are trying) to make the cut and they have the Contessa platform at hand.

Will HM see this thread? Will HM bring back the Contessa? Will the company be able to do justice for what the car stands for in the eyes of enthusiasts?

bblost · 14th August 2011, 01:22

No car comes close to the Contessa in beauty.

With wide tires and beefed up suspension, she is a class above anything and everything else on the road. Except maybe the old Standard 2000.

ibcool · 14th August 2011, 02:10

Contessa, a true indian muscle car as i would like to call it. HM should definitely revive the conti with modern technology!

Angel Lamps, a powerful diesel engine, lots of chrome and super amount of rubber for shoes to begin with shall take this beauty onto a good start!

I am sure there are many fans that would love to own one.

Mr.Boss · 14th August 2011, 02:46

Definitely yes. Who on earth would say 'NO' to Contessa.
HM should consider bringing back the 'Real Indian Muscle Car' with a latest technology diesel heart and new trend interiors and the exterior change is optional. I hope the Conty exteriors are still head turners.

Hello HM! Will you think of it?? and not a Contessa Pick-up badged 'Beer'

mxx · 14th August 2011, 07:19

NO!!! not another relic from HM pleasee..
However, if it is built on a new platform and truly a modern car, then yes.

But, we all know "NEW", "MODERN TECHNOLOGY" etc are unknown to the HM dinosaur. So, I think we dont need another decades old car in the market

mayankjha1806 · 14th August 2011, 07:19

Contessa was the only luxury (As luxury was defined in those times) car (apart from standard 2000) on Indian roads at that time. I have sat in both and both were very capable cars. I remember doing 100+ in those times was a big deal and these cars would be stable at 100 and little over it.

We used to have Standard Gazel on those times and i would also pester others to buy a Standard 2000 or Contessa at least. Just the talk makes me nostalgic.

HM can bring back the car, but must realize the times have changed, we expect more these days. If not done with care it will have another Amby on their hands.

Live To Jive · 14th August 2011, 08:43

I don't know why they discontinued it in the first place. They should have stopped the Amby instead.

DicKy · 14th August 2011, 09:16

Who dare say No!!!!!
Its a big FREAKIN' YES!!!!, and since HM is at the job of reviving old models, the latest being the HM Porter inspired 'VEER', i sincerely hope that they relaunch the Contessa, the thing even today outclasses many other cars. Give it a proper engine please HM and relaunch it and see for yourself the results.
(though i doubt whether they can afford the sheet metal gauge of the original in the present day)

Recompose · 14th August 2011, 09:36

Do we want the Contessa back ? Definitely.

Will HM bring it back the way we want it? Unlikely (Actually the answer is certainly not, but I'm just hoping)

Spitfire · 14th August 2011, 09:40

How many of the above who say yes, own a Contessa presently?

zulfi hansi · 14th August 2011, 09:44

I'd love to have a V8 in a Conty. With all what you guys have said, chrome, better suspension, big tyres, a redone front & back (maybe circular tail lamps), the list is endless. A lot of guys have tried a lot of things on this one, Mustang 2 door types etc. Even with minimal changes, just make it a 2 door and give a face (&back) lift. Make major mechanical modernization & a V8, its spot on. India's very own muscle car.

mercedised · 14th August 2011, 11:08

My dad had a Contessa way back, and yes the car SHOUTED luxury at that time. Loved that car as much as Amby that we had that time. Sold it! now.

Definitely I want HM to give her a rebirth!

But, looking at the way HM is making AMBY die (slow death, just launched a commercial Amby) I don't think there is any chance of them hitting the market with anything new so soon.

@spitfire: Any specific thing you want to convey? (it looks from your post)

pb10gagan · 14th August 2011, 11:56

Considering the fact that Contessa was rip off of old Maserati Quattroporte.

Why don't we demand they bring in a rip off of new Quattroporte?

badboyscad · 14th August 2011, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire

How many of the above who say yes, own a Contessa presently?

I own Contessa

and I am saying a big YES to bring the contessa back.

This car sure makes heads turn even today(in the age of beemers, porsches, etc) in chennai traffic.

DicKy · 14th August 2011, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb10gagan

Considering the fact that Contessa was rip off of old Maserati Quattroporte.

Why don't we demand they bring in a rip off of new Quattroporte?

What is a Maserati to do with the Contessa?
You can relate to Vauxhall or Opel or some other GM brand in Europe of that time, but COME ON a Maserati!!!!
And if you are saying about the style, then excuse me but most of the cars at the time had almost resembling style-it was the trend then. It's like telling a Teana or Dzire is a rip-off from a 7er just because of the rear boot design.

14th August 2011, 01:19	#1
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 213 Times View My Garage	Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Anybody and I mean anybody I have met till date has good things to say about how Contessa looks. Either on the Net or off the net. It is also a perfect example how Dodge Ford and Chevrolet have rebuilt their brands on Muscle cars off late. H.M. is also trying hard (not sure if smartly but they are trying) to make the cut and they have the Contessa platform at hand. Will HM see this thread? Will HM bring back the Contessa? Will the company be able to do justice for what the car stands for in the eyes of enthusiasts?
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 01:22	#2
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,301 Thanked: 18,011 Times View My Garage	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? No car comes close to the Contessa in beauty. With wide tires and beefed up suspension, she is a class above anything and everything else on the road. Except maybe the old Standard 2000.
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 02:10	#3
ibcool BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 74 Thanked: 7 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Contessa, a true indian muscle car as i would like to call it. HM should definitely revive the conti with modern technology! Angel Lamps, a powerful diesel engine, lots of chrome and super amount of rubber for shoes to begin with shall take this beauty onto a good start! I am sure there are many fans that would love to own one.
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 02:46	#4
Mr.Boss Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: GPS signal lost Posts: 2,847 Thanked: 7,587 Times View My Garage	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Definitely yes. Who on earth would say 'NO' to Contessa. HM should consider bringing back the 'Real Indian Muscle Car' with a latest technology diesel heart and new trend interiors and the exterior change is optional. I hope the Conty exteriors are still head turners. Hello HM! Will you think of it?? and not a Contessa Pick-up badged 'Beer'
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 07:19	#5
mxx BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 772 Thanked: 313 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? NO!!! not another relic from HM pleasee.. However, if it is built on a new platform and truly a modern car, then yes. But, we all know "NEW", "MODERN TECHNOLOGY" etc are unknown to the HM dinosaur. So, I think we dont need another decades old car in the market
	(1) Thanks

14th August 2011, 07:19	#6
mayankjha1806 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,159 Thanked: 989 Times View My Garage	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Contessa was the only luxury (As luxury was defined in those times) car (apart from standard 2000) on Indian roads at that time. I have sat in both and both were very capable cars. I remember doing 100+ in those times was a big deal and these cars would be stable at 100 and little over it. We used to have Standard Gazel on those times and i would also pester others to buy a Standard 2000 or Contessa at least. Just the talk makes me nostalgic. HM can bring back the car, but must realize the times have changed, we expect more these days. If not done with care it will have another Amby on their hands. Last edited by mayankjha1806 : 14th August 2011 at 07:21.
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 08:43	#7
Live To Jive BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 698 Thanked: 89 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? I don't know why they discontinued it in the first place. They should have stopped the Amby instead.
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 09:16	#8
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,424 Thanked: 15,570 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Who dare say No!!!!! Its a big FREAKIN' YES!!!!, and since HM is at the job of reviving old models, the latest being the HM Porter inspired 'VEER', i sincerely hope that they relaunch the Contessa, the thing even today outclasses many other cars. Give it a proper engine please HM and relaunch it and see for yourself the results. (though i doubt whether they can afford the sheet metal gauge of the original in the present day)
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 09:36	#9
Recompose BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Home Posts: 180 Thanked: 106 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Do we want the Contessa back ? Definitely. Will HM bring it back the way we want it? Unlikely (Actually the answer is certainly not, but I'm just hoping)
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 09:40	#10
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,313 Thanked: 778 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? How many of the above who say yes, own a Contessa presently?
	(1) Thanks

14th August 2011, 09:44	#11
zulfi hansi BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 997 Thanked: 384 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? I'd love to have a V8 in a Conty. With all what you guys have said, chrome, better suspension, big tyres, a redone front & back (maybe circular tail lamps), the list is endless. A lot of guys have tried a lot of things on this one, Mustang 2 door types etc. Even with minimal changes, just make it a 2 door and give a face (&back) lift. Make major mechanical modernization & a V8, its spot on. India's very own muscle car.
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 11:08	#12
mercedised Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Indore Posts: 1,242 Thanked: 449 Times View My Garage	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? My dad had a Contessa way back, and yes the car SHOUTED luxury at that time. Loved that car as much as Amby that we had that time. Sold it! now. Definitely I want HM to give her a rebirth! But, looking at the way HM is making AMBY die (slow death, just launched a commercial Amby) I don't think there is any chance of them hitting the market with anything new so soon. @spitfire: Any specific thing you want to convey? (it looks from your post) Last edited by mercedised : 14th August 2011 at 11:10.
	() Thanks

14th August 2011, 11:56	#13
pb10gagan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Construction Capital Posts: 370 Thanked: 13 Times	Re: Do we want the Contessa Back? Can HM bring it like we want it? Considering the fact that Contessa was rip off of old Maserati Quattroporte. Why don't we demand they bring in a rip off of new Quattroporte?
	() Thanks