Team-BHP - 1985 Ambassador mark 4

I have trucked my rusting 1985 mark 4 from Cochin to Bombay simply because I refused to see it get sold as scrap or to a taxi operator in Kerala who would shoe horn a matador engine into it & take as much care of it as he would to a rented mule.These emotions also stem from deep rooted sentimental value for the car as well as ambassadors in general.

I now plan to make it my pet project from 2008.
I have dilemma though:

1. I restore it to is former glory keep the same engine ( put sleeves,overhaul,polish paint et all pamper it with the best engine oils/petrol/lubes etc.) add and A/C,maybe power steering & get a 50K paint job + 15K high quality chroming & Enjoy the nostalgia every time I take it for a spin once in a while.

OR.

2. pretty much the same as point 1. the only difference being sink in a isuzu 1.8 ( K&N,free flow, maybe a turbo), alloys + high performance tyres, custom front grill,integrate the back number plates into the back bumper.

This takes it a little away from the whole classic feel & it'll take the nostalgia away a bit but It will become a street legal ( no issues with PUC) & maybe somewhat a practical (daily use) alternate to my civic (10k kms) or my old workhorse a 2002 lancer (87K kms)

I have a month before I take a decision so suggestions or opinions are welcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMM (Post 659626)

I have trucked my rusting 1985 mark 4 from Cochin to Bombay simply because I refused to see it get sold as scrap or to a taxi operator in Kerala

Admirable. I'm not an expert but I'm an enthusiast. I have fond memories of the gap-grilled Mark 4 Amby - we had one of these as the family car in the early and mid 80s in Kerala. It was powder blue (not the best choice, but it didn't bother me at the time). The reg number was KEE 4294. Now I'm in Bombay (Andheri West) and miss those days. Please PM me your location details if you can; I'd very much like to observe your pre- and post-restoration efforts.

My dad still swears by the Ambassador. At his age (77) he says no other car is so easy to get into and out of - or sit in for that matter. Of course, he can no longer drive, so it's probably the rear seat comfort that makes him wax so eloquently on the Amby.