Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque!

Babyhindusthan · 10th June 2021, 20:42

Congratulations on the acquisition! Here is my 1958 Ambassador, which I acquired in January and quite likely a one owner!

ssjr0498 · 11th June 2021, 11:16

The Blue amby reminded me of our Amby mark 4! Still remember the registration WBF-1019! So many memories just rekindled and yeah, unfortunately, my dad also passed away about a week and a half ago, pretty emotional too!

ThatCarGuy · 11th June 2021, 12:16

Such a beautiful journey of a restoration, so much joy I got by just reading it, I am sure you would have found much more joy and satisfaction restoring it to its glory. A pic of our old Ambassador below, still can't forget the family trips we had in it and the back seat comfort, oh my! no new-gen car beat it

Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque!-nokia-7610337.png

GreenDay · 11th June 2021, 12:20

Just wanted to highlight a couple of rare operations in this car. I am pretty sure a good chunk of younger generations wouldn't have seen such.

Foot-operated Low-High beam switch

https://youtu.be/IY0-g5DjN-g

The pull switch to start the car

https://youtu.be/_XqZALTy7aw

NitSat · 11th June 2021, 12:50

Beautiful thread. Filled with tender emotions and nostalgia. I’m a complete novice as far as classic cars are concerned. So forgive me for my utter lack of knowledge. But how to source the spares of a car which is way out of production like this beauty. For instance, how did you manage to find the replacement fuel tank . Also do we have to make special provisions to comply with the latest pollution norms in the land .

itwasntme · 11th June 2021, 13:15

Brings back lovely memories. Had the privilege of driving ~ 8 company-maintained Ambassadors which were sublime to drive.

Most non- CCU TBHP posters recollect their uncomfortable rides in those noisy wheezy badly maintained Ambassador taxis with sometimes crooked cabbies.

It's like comparing a worshipped TBHP Padmini with those horrid Churchgate shuttle cabs

.

Here is my marriage stallion

SedanGuy · 11th June 2021, 13:44

Hearty congratulations. Reading the whole thing made me feel nostalgic. My father worked for the govt and he had an ambassador for the longest time that I can remember. I learnt driving on that beast.

This post really strung a chord or two. Now I feel like I need to let go of my savings and start looking for an Amby.

speedmiester · 11th June 2021, 15:15

Congratulations on your new (old) car.
Thanks for sharing. It is a delight to read about such classic cars.
The Amby is in good condition and I am sure it is in very good hands with you.
I learnt driving in an Amby that was older than I. Still have fond memories of it and remember the regn number of that particular Amby CNH 729.

amitnair · 11th June 2021, 15:21

A very good detailed writeup.
My family used to own Mark 1 (petrol), Mark 2 Ambassadors (modified with a Jaya diesel engine), a 1100D Fiat and a Premier Padmini. I had my driving lessons in Padmini. Lot of good memories of trips driving these cars.

Aditya · 11th June 2021, 18:21

Congrats on the car Karthik and Arun. Excellent thread. I am a big Amby fan myself and it still brings a smile on my face. Needless to say, your car did the same.

Many of us have memories of the Ambassador. I started my driving on my dad's 1978 Mark 3 - MMF 5245. Loved the thing. Drove the wheels off it in the years that followed.

Then I spent hours in the workshop observing the mechanics and learning what fits where how. It was quite easy to repair. All the minor repairs were done by me at home on Sunday.

Wish you many happy years of mile-munching.

Babyhindusthan · 11th June 2021, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssjr0498

The Blue amby reminded me of our Amby mark 4! Still remember the registration WBF-1019! So many memories just rekindled and yeah, unfortunately, my dad also passed away about a week and a half ago, pretty emotional too!

WBF would be a Mark II, 64 ish

digitalnirvana · 11th June 2021, 20:06

This thread brings back so many memories. Especially that pic of Anand uncle.

We had a Mark II - WBG which was a daily runner till my grandfather passed away in 2003. Sadly I don't have a single picture of him with the car.

We also had a Mark III (probably?) - WBJ which is garaged for the last 35 years. They're rust buckets now.

I'd love to restore them one by one if someone can help me out with a reliable garage in CCU. FC and RC for both have also expired ages ago, so I don't really know how to proceed.

Babyhindusthan · 11th June 2021, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalnirvana

This thread brings back so many memories. Especially that pic of Anand uncle.

We had a Mark II - WBG which was a daily runner till my grandfather passed away in 2003. Sadly I don't have a single picture of him with the car.

We also had a Mark III (probably?) - WBJ which is garaged for the last 35 years. They're rust buckets now.

I'd love to restore them one by one if someone can help me out with a reliable garage in CCU. FC and RC for both have also expired ages ago, so I don't really know how to proceed.

WBJ would be a 68-69 Mark 2 , I can help you out with getting it restored if you want.

jithin23 · 11th June 2021, 22:30

Wow! These cars are made much before I was born and they still have that Charisma! Kudos to the OP for posting this thread and it can be insightful for those who wish to own an Ambassador. Loved the detailed narration too.

Wish these cars were still remade or resurrected just like the way Royal Enfield and Java are resurrected!

vnabhi · 11th June 2021, 23:52

Such a lovely thread, and it stirred so much nostalgia! I shared this with my siblings and cousins, and all of us were agog chatting about the Landmaster and the Mark 1 Amby that my grandpa had.

I'd traveled 100s of times between Cuttack and Berhampur on it when i was not even 10 years old, and have vivid memories of those journeys. Even the first car I got to drive was an Ambassador, which I stealthily drove when I was handling transport section during my early stint in SAIL and RINL.

Wish you good luck with your Mark 1. And it was very touching to read about the previous owner's demise. May his soul rest in peace!

10th June 2021, 20:42	#16
Babyhindusthan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Kolkata, Goa Posts: 61 Thanked: 466 Times	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Congratulations on the acquisition! Here is my 1958 Ambassador, which I acquired in January and quite likely a one owner! Attached Thumbnails
	(16) Thanks

11th June 2021, 11:16	#17
ssjr0498 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Blr-Ccu Posts: 860 Thanked: 516 Times View My Garage	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! The Blue amby reminded me of our Amby mark 4! Still remember the registration WBF-1019! So many memories just rekindled and yeah, unfortunately, my dad also passed away about a week and a half ago, pretty emotional too!
	(4) Thanks

11th June 2021, 12:16	#18
ThatCarGuy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: BLR ⇄ COK Posts: 44 Thanked: 182 Times	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Such a beautiful journey of a restoration, so much joy I got by just reading it, I am sure you would have found much more joy and satisfaction restoring it to its glory. A pic of our old Ambassador below, still can't forget the family trips we had in it and the back seat comfort, oh my! no new-gen car beat it
	(7) Thanks

11th June 2021, 12:50	#20
NitSat BHPian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Mumbai Posts: 80 Thanked: 263 Times View My Garage	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Beautiful thread. Filled with tender emotions and nostalgia. I’m a complete novice as far as classic cars are concerned. So forgive me for my utter lack of knowledge. But how to source the spares of a car which is way out of production like this beauty. For instance, how did you manage to find the replacement fuel tank . Also do we have to make special provisions to comply with the latest pollution norms in the land .
	(1) Thanks

11th June 2021, 13:15	#21
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 6,984 Thanked: 12,541 Times View My Garage	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Brings back lovely memories. Had the privilege of driving ~ 8 company-maintained Ambassadors which were sublime to drive. Most non- CCU TBHP posters recollect their uncomfortable rides in those noisy wheezy badly maintained Ambassador taxis with sometimes crooked cabbies. It's like comparing a worshipped TBHP Padmini with those horrid Churchgate shuttle cabs . Here is my marriage stallion Attached Thumbnails
	(10) Thanks

11th June 2021, 13:44	#22
SedanGuy BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore KA-02 Posts: 68 Thanked: 466 Times	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Hearty congratulations. Reading the whole thing made me feel nostalgic. My father worked for the govt and he had an ambassador for the longest time that I can remember. I learnt driving on that beast. This post really strung a chord or two. Now I feel like I need to let go of my savings and start looking for an Amby.
	(4) Thanks

11th June 2021, 15:15	#23
speedmiester Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,387 Thanked: 6,631 Times	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Congratulations on your new (old) car. Thanks for sharing. It is a delight to read about such classic cars. The Amby is in good condition and I am sure it is in very good hands with you. I learnt driving in an Amby that was older than I. Still have fond memories of it and remember the regn number of that particular Amby CNH 729.
	(4) Thanks

11th June 2021, 15:21	#24
amitnair BHPian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: TRV/BLR Posts: 24 Thanked: 21 Times	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! A very good detailed writeup. My family used to own Mark 1 (petrol), Mark 2 Ambassadors (modified with a Jaya diesel engine), a 1100D Fiat and a Premier Padmini. I had my driving lessons in Padmini. Lot of good memories of trips driving these cars.
	(4) Thanks

11th June 2021, 18:21	#25
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 17,844 Thanked: 77,082 Times View My Garage	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Congrats on the car Karthik and Arun. Excellent thread. I am a big Amby fan myself and it still brings a smile on my face. Needless to say, your car did the same. Many of us have memories of the Ambassador. I started my driving on my dad's 1978 Mark 3 - MMF 5245. Loved the thing. Drove the wheels off it in the years that followed. Then I spent hours in the workshop observing the mechanics and learning what fits where how. It was quite easy to repair. All the minor repairs were done by me at home on Sunday. Wish you many happy years of mile-munching.
	(6) Thanks

11th June 2021, 20:06	#27
digitalnirvana BHPian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: pale blue dot Posts: 588 Thanked: 2,861 Times	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! This thread brings back so many memories. Especially that pic of Anand uncle. We had a Mark II - WBG which was a daily runner till my grandfather passed away in 2003. Sadly I don't have a single picture of him with the car. We also had a Mark III (probably?) - WBJ which is garaged for the last 35 years. They're rust buckets now. I'd love to restore them one by one if someone can help me out with a reliable garage in CCU. FC and RC for both have also expired ages ago, so I don't really know how to proceed.
	(2) Thanks

11th June 2021, 22:30	#29
jithin23 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Globetrotter Posts: 788 Thanked: 2,890 Times View My Garage	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Wow! These cars are made much before I was born and they still have that Charisma! Kudos to the OP for posting this thread and it can be insightful for those who wish to own an Ambassador. Loved the detailed narration too. Wish these cars were still remade or resurrected just like the way Royal Enfield and Java are resurrected!
	(3) Thanks

11th June 2021, 23:52	#30
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: DC -> DC Posts: 5,958 Thanked: 2,393 Times View My Garage	Re: Our 1960 HM Ambassador Mark 1 - The Indian Marque! Such a lovely thread, and it stirred so much nostalgia! I shared this with my siblings and cousins, and all of us were agog chatting about the Landmaster and the Mark 1 Amby that my grandpa had. I'd traveled 100s of times between Cuttack and Berhampur on it when i was not even 10 years old, and have vivid memories of those journeys. Even the first car I got to drive was an Ambassador, which I stealthily drove when I was handling transport section during my early stint in SAIL and RINL. Wish you good luck with your Mark 1. And it was very touching to read about the previous owner's demise. May his soul rest in peace!
	(4) Thanks