Maruti Suzuki SS80 DX

ajay99 · 23rd November 2007, 19:17

I am starting a new thread for the first real Japanese car in India - the SS80 and SS80DX.

As all of you may remember, the first lot of Maruti 800's came with everything imported from Suzuki, Japan except for the Battery and tyres.
Even the paint was JAPANESE-really!!

The Deluxe (DX) version was launched as a premium car in those days and was available only on Foreign Exchange (NRI) payments (correct me If I am wrong). The differences from the "Standard" model were tinted glass (Suzuki Temperlite), Nippon Denso A/C, Maruti Clarion radio with Clarion HiFi speakers and external antenna on right A-pillar, digital clock (green digits) on the dashboard (centrally located), beige colour, Stanley leather seat covers and velvety floor carpet + rubber mats with Suzuki logo. It cost about Rs. 30,000 more than the base version.

Maruti SS80 DX - the best Maruti of all times.

GTO · 24th November 2007, 12:06

Yup, they were of far higher quality than the later localised versions of the 800. Had one for 2 years...it was a blast to drive.

Search around the forum for Edmunds restoration project on the old 800. You will find that thread particularly interesting.

JayD · 24th November 2007, 13:15

Ah! The good old 800, about time someone started a thread to this legend which put india on wheels(after the ancient ambys and fiats).most of us learnt to drive in one, it was, and still is the first car for most people, and created a motoring revolution in india. has anybody noticed that the car is nearing its 25th birthday soon?but, Once the more modern cars arrived, the ss80 which was once the 'aspirational' car for most indians was sidelined. But now slowly, they seem to be making their reappearance slowly!
Edmund's car is proof for the renewed interest to there little beauties.
guys, pls come forward with your stories and experiences about this little car!
p.s: Ajay, u forgot one difference between the deluxe and standard. The deluxe model had 3 point seatbelts.K

gopz · 25th November 2007, 10:24

Yes, it was a great car indeed. I learnt driving on the SS80 which my dad bought in 1985. Was an amazing car, the quality is unmatched even in todays M800s

Naren4140 · 26th November 2007, 15:37

it created such a buzz when it came on roads for 54,000 Rs. those good old days....!. and Maruti became such a household name !!

CrAzY dRiVeR · 26th November 2007, 20:11

The best one i have seen.

(Picture from Edmund's car gallery)

Quote:

Mauthi Suzuki SS80 DX

Didn't anyone notice the error in thread title? MODS, please correct it.

ajay99 · 27th November 2007, 18:32

hicrazy driver,
I disagree with that statement.
this metallic blue colour ss80 lacks ORIGINALITY in all respects
1.not the original clolour.
2. park lights changed
3.headlights changed
4.Bonnet release button assembly removed in toto
and i can go on ......
I dont understand how you made that statement.

JayD · 28th November 2007, 09:00

Ajay! relax buddy! He was looking at the 'pimped' aspect of the car. There are two sides to a classic na? the originilaty style and the hot rod style. This one qualifies for the latter i think!

Car looks HOT!, even though its not original and all..

Bugatti Veyron · 28th November 2007, 09:34

That is beautiful! What would the price for one that is well-maintained, all-original and low-mileage?

ram_hyundai · 28th November 2007, 10:20

complete originality is not the concern here .that car is drivable looks decent-can take it to a marriage feeling.no odd mods done.and maybe all the lights are functioning looks so.
ram

ajay99 · 28th November 2007, 14:26

((((complete originality is not the concern here .that car is drivable looks decent-can take it to a marriage feeling.no odd mods done.and maybe all the lights are functioning looks so ram)))))

FULL originality is the GENUINE Concern ,,that is why this thread was started in VINTAGE& CLASSIC Section.
there are lot of driveable /decent SS80's on road but very few CONCOURS style cars. HYUNDAI guys may not be aware of SS80 originality as they came abut 16 years late to INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!

CrAzY dRiVeR · 28th November 2007, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay99

FULL originality is the GENUINE Concern ,,that is why this thread was started in VINTAGE& CLASSIC Section.

oh! Sorry then if my post was inappropriate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay99

HYUNDAI guys may not be aware of SS80 originality as they came abut 16 years late to INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!

Since this is a public forum, he can express his share of opinion. And as such, you haven't mentioned in the first post about 'ORIGINALITY'. Why the need for such an answer to his post?

Please ask any of the MODS to do edit the first post, if 'ORIGINALITY' is the prime concern.

suren181 · 29th November 2007, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay99

((((complete originality is not the concern here .that car is drivable looks decent-can take it to a marriage feeling.no odd mods done.and maybe all the lights are functioning looks so ram)))))

FULL originality is the GENUINE Concern ,,that is why this thread was started in VINTAGE& CLASSIC Section.
there are lot of driveable /decent SS80's on road but very few CONCOURS style cars. HYUNDAI guys may not be aware of SS80 originality as they came abut 16 years late to INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!

ajay99: I beg to differ here. I am of the opinion that the SS80 cannot be called a recent classic even. Hence the very existence of this post in this section is questionable. The guidelines from the VCCCI are available in the linky below and that would give you an insight into which vehicles could be called classics and which one's Vintage.

Vintage and Classic Car Club of India - Membership & Privileges

ajay99 · 29th November 2007, 14:47

Suren, I never intended/stated that SS80 is a classic .Moreover I am fully aware about the VCCCI criterion as well as FIVA criterion(international) on classics etc.
This may not be a classic today ,but remember SS80 stopped production 22years ago, and the way things are going it is on the way to be a sought after car.
for your info a single owner 1985 maruti SS80 standard model in mint condition(mileage 40000km) was sold recently for Rs.60000/- unbelievable!!! isn it? but it goes to show that shrewd car afficionados have started looking at this car seriously.

BEEM3R · 29th November 2007, 17:05

ajay99 this is a fabulous community. Noone is going to understand your enthusiasm or love for cars or the SS80 in particular more than the people here. Most Newbies generally tend to get overexcited and come on board deciding they know more than others here and try to prove it in their first few posts. But you would be surprised at the knowledge of some of the guys here. Once you figure that out you'll come back down to earth. Seriously dont go off on people and sound hostile. Its not some battle of the wits. We know you love the SS80 and have immense knowledge on it. Share it with everyone and enjoy. At the same time treat people here like family and become a part of this board and one amongst us.

23rd November 2007, 19:17	#1
ajay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 2,731 Thanked: 1,614 Times	Maruti Suzuki SS80 DX I am starting a new thread for the first real Japanese car in India - the SS80 and SS80DX. As all of you may remember, the first lot of Maruti 800's came with everything imported from Suzuki, Japan except for the Battery and tyres. Even the paint was JAPANESE-really!! The Deluxe (DX) version was launched as a premium car in those days and was available only on Foreign Exchange (NRI) payments (correct me If I am wrong). The differences from the "Standard" model were tinted glass (Suzuki Temperlite), Nippon Denso A/C, Maruti Clarion radio with Clarion HiFi speakers and external antenna on right A-pillar, digital clock (green digits) on the dashboard (centrally located), beige colour, Stanley leather seat covers and velvety floor carpet + rubber mats with Suzuki logo. It cost about Rs. 30,000 more than the base version. Maruti SS80 DX - the best Maruti of all times. Last edited by Aditya : 21st April 2021 at 07:05. Reason: Spelling, spacing, punctuation, etc
	(9) Thanks

24th November 2007, 12:06	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,533 Thanked: 300,551 Times View My Garage	Yup, they were of far higher quality than the later localised versions of the 800. Had one for 2 years...it was a blast to drive. Search around the forum for Edmunds restoration project on the old 800. You will find that thread particularly interesting.
	(4) Thanks

24th November 2007, 13:15	#3
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,236 Thanked: 2,568 Times View My Garage	Ah! The good old 800, about time someone started a thread to this legend which put india on wheels(after the ancient ambys and fiats).most of us learnt to drive in one, it was, and still is the first car for most people, and created a motoring revolution in india. has anybody noticed that the car is nearing its 25th birthday soon?but, Once the more modern cars arrived, the ss80 which was once the 'aspirational' car for most indians was sidelined. But now slowly, they seem to be making their reappearance slowly! Edmund's car is proof for the renewed interest to there little beauties. guys, pls come forward with your stories and experiences about this little car! p.s: Ajay, u forgot one difference between the deluxe and standard. The deluxe model had 3 point seatbelts.K Last edited by JayD : 24th November 2007 at 13:21.
	() Thanks

25th November 2007, 10:24	#4
gopz BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 452 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Yes, it was a great car indeed. I learnt driving on the SS80 which my dad bought in 1985. Was an amazing car, the quality is unmatched even in todays M800s
	(1) Thanks

26th November 2007, 15:37	#5
Naren4140 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bendakaalooru Posts: 126 Thanked: 3 Times	it created such a buzz when it came on roads for 54,000 Rs. those good old days....!. and Maruti became such a household name !!
	() Thanks

27th November 2007, 18:32	#7
ajay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 2,731 Thanked: 1,614 Times	hicrazy driver, I disagree with that statement. this metallic blue colour ss80 lacks ORIGINALITY in all respects 1.not the original clolour. 2. park lights changed 3.headlights changed 4.Bonnet release button assembly removed in toto and i can go on ...... I dont understand how you made that statement.
	(1) Thanks

28th November 2007, 09:00	#8
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,236 Thanked: 2,568 Times View My Garage	Ajay! relax buddy! He was looking at the 'pimped' aspect of the car. There are two sides to a classic na? the originilaty style and the hot rod style. This one qualifies for the latter i think! Car looks HOT!, even though its not original and all..
	(1) Thanks

28th November 2007, 09:34	#9
Bugatti Veyron Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: A'ville, Pune Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	That is beautiful! What would the price for one that is well-maintained, all-original and low-mileage?
	() Thanks

28th November 2007, 10:20	#10
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,020 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	complete originality is not the concern here .that car is drivable looks decent-can take it to a marriage feeling.no odd mods done.and maybe all the lights are functioning looks so. ram
	() Thanks

28th November 2007, 14:26	#11
ajay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 2,731 Thanked: 1,614 Times	((((complete originality is not the concern here .that car is drivable looks decent-can take it to a marriage feeling.no odd mods done.and maybe all the lights are functioning looks so ram))))) FULL originality is the GENUINE Concern ,,that is why this thread was started in VINTAGE& CLASSIC Section. there are lot of driveable /decent SS80's on road but very few CONCOURS style cars. HYUNDAI guys may not be aware of SS80 originality as they came abut 16 years late to INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!
	() Thanks

29th November 2007, 14:47	#14
ajay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 2,731 Thanked: 1,614 Times	Suren, I never intended/stated that SS80 is a classic .Moreover I am fully aware about the VCCCI criterion as well as FIVA criterion(international) on classics etc. This may not be a classic today ,but remember SS80 stopped production 22years ago, and the way things are going it is on the way to be a sought after car. for your info a single owner 1985 maruti SS80 standard model in mint condition(mileage 40000km) was sold recently for Rs.60000/- unbelievable!!! isn it? but it goes to show that shrewd car afficionados have started looking at this car seriously.
	() Thanks

29th November 2007, 17:05	#15
BEEM3R BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dubai-Chennai Posts: 311 Thanked: 20 Times	ajay99 this is a fabulous community. Noone is going to understand your enthusiasm or love for cars or the SS80 in particular more than the people here. Most Newbies generally tend to get overexcited and come on board deciding they know more than others here and try to prove it in their first few posts. But you would be surprised at the knowledge of some of the guys here. Once you figure that out you'll come back down to earth. Seriously dont go off on people and sound hostile. Its not some battle of the wits. We know you love the SS80 and have immense knowledge on it. Share it with everyone and enjoy. At the same time treat people here like family and become a part of this board and one amongst us. Last edited by BEEM3R : 29th November 2007 at 17:08.
	(3) Thanks