[sidindica]

THE JOSH MACHINE

Raahon mein Josh
Raheen mein Josh
Har Dil mein Josh
Har Dhadkan mein Josh
Aao, josh mein..

Josh.
Its a spirit.
A passion.
A way of living.
If you are not in josh, you are missing something.

Because, a thing of beauty is josh forever.

But, what exactly is josh?
Josh means zinda dilon ki dhadkan.
Josh means attitude.
Josh means excitement.
Josh means confidence.

But perhaps, November 1999 was the month when josh took a whole new meaning.
Rewind.
Well actually, I am a car which is pretty confused.
I suffer from multiple personality disorder.
People have asked me, "why is it that we have to compromise in one way or another?"
"Why is it that one car is driver focused, the other one is comfort focused?"
"Why is it that one car offers performance and handling, the other excels in ride?"
"Why is it that an affordable car is always dull and boring moving appliance?"

Well, yesterday, I was sensible, now I am crazy...
Sensible bhi, crazy bhi..

I go to a psychiatrist....and then, he takes me to the sets of pichle janam ka rahasya.

Rewind.
I get to see my past.
Rewind.
I see that I am fretting my brain in an R and D department on designing a car that gives you the best of both worlds.
Rewind.
I see that it is possible to launch a car at an affordable price which not only satisfies the driving enthusiast in us, but also maliks and memsahibs alike with amazing rear seat comfort.
Pause.
I get a message-If you had been good with your past life, you will enter your NXT life full of praise.
Fast Forward.
I see a project being signed off codenamed C195.
Fast Forward.
I see heavily cobbled test mules being test driven in an issue of overdrive magazine in the beginning of 1999.
Stop.
September 1999.
27th evening, 5:30 pm.
I go out for a walk and pick up this very flashy magazine which has just been launched and bang!
Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Zamaana bole, boom boom boom boom boom yeh dil dole...
Autocar India's inaugural issue.
An world exclusive first drive of a car that promises to change the way we look at cars forever.
A car that is designed by an foreign MNC exclusively for India, in an industry first.
A car that spells josh with a capital J.
From the makers of world's most well known affordable muscle car-the mustang comes another icon.
Henry Ford must have been happy on seeing his iconic dream being cherished.

Presenting ek joshili kahani, sid ki zubani, ek zindadil josh machine..

THE FORD IKON!

The Ford ikon is perhaps one heck of a machine, perhaps a controversial one too.
You love it, or you hate it.
You use it, yet you abuse it.
You groan over it, yet you grin over it.
You shrug it, yet you leap over it.
You plan with it, yet you can be spontaneous with it.
You try to be careful with it, yet you are carefree with it.
You drive it, yet you jive with it.

So why not whistle and hum?
Why not tap your fingers?

So come on, get grinning instead of frowning.

Buckle up, start the ignition and put your transmission into the J mode, that is josh mode and come along with me for a roller coaster ride as we celebrate 10 long and successful years of this nameplate which heralded Ford's new edge comeback here.

The Ford ikon's story has been full of roller coaster rides, twists and turns. In its long lifespan, it had its fair share of admirers, haters, fans, rivals, bouquets and brickbats alive.

Yet the car's core DNA-driver involvement and backseat comfort remains.

And yet, my silver jubilee celebration continues by writing this story here, live in team-bhp.

Because Rocam rocks..
Because Endura means endurance..
Because, once again, a thing of beauty..is josh forever.

The Ikon was perhaps a unique project in the history of Ford Motor company.
What made it unique and "different"?

Take a joshila break and find out in the next part...

Awesome ! So ur on this time dedicating Ikonish experience about ikon . I remember that song Aaoo josh mein , which was aired same time when this car was released and even a maroon color ikon was used in that video. Waiting for ur next part.

[atrisarkar]

Even after more than 10 years, this is once car which I drool over even today. Its presence and stance was truly iconic. Eagerly waiting for the rest of the story. Yo Sid! Way to go man...we surely needed a fitting tribute thread to this icon.

[tanwaramit]

Is Ikon going to continue in our markets or it will continue to sell alongside Fiesta !

I guess once Ford plans a sedan version on the basis of Figo, Ikon would be phased out.

[sachinj12]

Another one right after the Swift saga!!

A request Sid, please start up with Fiesta as soon as you are done with this.

[rjvora_2000]

Hey Sid... One more beautiful story from your side. This is really a good way of putting your story, thoughts to us.

Keep writing such stories.

[//M]

A very nice story about the iconic Ikon.
An incredible write-up once again.
Keep up the good work.

[aman9393]

Truly one of the most iconic car of it's generation.
Keep writing, waiting for the next part.

[shantanumishra]

So, finally the Joshila writer gets to the Josh machine, common sid, as all your excellent writeups, I am sure this will also be the Joshila one,

Waiting for the next part,

P.S. Pls dont become another SAM in keeping us waiting and waiting and waiting.

[Fordmanchau]

Nice one Sid,
had been waiting for long that like all the other cars, you will someday write about the Ikon too. It is one car which is hard to ignore. You can run from it but you cannot hide yourself from it. Such a lovely car and I wonder why the tribute is coming so late.
But better late than never. Hope to read your story soon enough, and actually I can't wait to read through it.
Wonderful!!!
and here's my 400th post, I am glad it is in this thread

[Damu]

A beautiful write up on what is becoming (or already is) a classic.

Your lyrical description of all that makes it a "josh" machine reminds me of the days before I bought my Ikon when I used to wonder what Ford meant by "Josh machine". I found out alright, in 2004!

And right you are to celebrate its 10th year - how many of the Ford "haters" can point to another car that is still selling after 10 years in this heavily competitive market?

Sir, a Big "Thank You" from a big time Ikon fan

Regards
Damu

[Fordy]

Sid, excellent writeup. I am game to read abut my own Ikon in your words. As already said above Hope after reading this article all Ikon haters realise why people still buy Ikons after 10 long years. Loved it 5 star. Thanks a Zillion for putting this up. Makes me proud while reading it (I aint the R&D Engineer of Ikon though )

[Mustang.101]

Wow Sid! Awesome stuff! I am selling my ikon 1.6 after driving it for 8 years & i literally had tears in my eyes after reading this, I still love my car very much & i hope the next owner does too.

[alexpaul]

Excellent write up Sid. . Introduction of Ford Ikon was the turning point for Indian Auto Sector with the aspects related to precision handling, driver's car , direct steering feedback etc.
Its one heck of a machine which you cannot hate it if you are in drivers seat.
Expecting more JOSH about this joshilay machine.

[Gilead]

Nicely written. I never liked the Ikon's looks when it was launched but it grew on me. I wanted to buy the Ikon 1.6 around 2004 or 2005, the one that came with the snazzy new bumpers and chrome grill etc, but I could not afford it. So I waited patiently and bought something even better in 2009.

Originally Posted by Damu

And right you are to celebrate its 10th year - how many of the Ford "haters" can point to another car that is still selling after 10 years in this heavily competitive market?

800, Alto, Santro.. I suppose I am a Ford 'hater' now

Originally Posted by Mustang.101

Wow Sid! Awesome stuff! I am selling my ikon 1.6 after driving it for 8 years & i literally had tears in my eyes after reading this, I still love my car very much & i hope the next owner does too.

Since your car needs a suspension job, I think the new owner will have tears as well.... when he visits the A.S.S.