Ambassador 61' restoration

r_nairtvm · 4th August 2009, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipinmohan

i have a 1960 model ohv ambassador.it had no ohv emblem on the sides of mudguard.was it missing?some says that earlier models had no such ohv emblem.i had seen" 0hv62"emblem on a 1962 model car.was it original ?

Vipin,

Until 1962 middle I think the Amby had the "OHV" Emblem on the front mudguards.

My uncle had a Amby 62 June delivery which had the emblem. But my Grandfather's - October 62 Delivery did not have it (Since october it may have been a "63" Model)

Both vehicles bought new by respective people delivered in Trivandrum (vehicle details still in Kerala MVD site). I have a feeling both vehicles have now been scrapped.

Best Regards & Drive Safe

Ram

Ram

tonrag · 8th August 2009, 17:46

R-nairtvm, My father used to own a 1961 Ambassador, registered KLE 1111, which was cream or white when bought. He then sold it and bought a Mark II, initially registered KLE 3333, which is now with me in Bangalore, registered CAP 3161. I saw 1111 more than 20 years ago in Trivandrum. It was painted black, by then. Do you know if its still around?

ajay99 · 8th August 2009, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonrag

R-nairtvm, My father used to own a 1961 Ambassador, registered KLE 1111, which was cream or white when bought. He then sold it and bought a Mark II, initially registered KLE 3333, which is now with me in Bangalore, registered CAP 3161. I saw 1111 more than 20 years ago in Trivandrum. It was painted black, by then. Do you know if its still around?

it is now owned by one M C Joy in PUNALUR .
the car is still having petrol engine and was running till at least 2006 as per dataavailable.
high probability that it is still around
by the way are you a vintage car restorer??

tonrag · 8th August 2009, 19:36

Thank you Ajay, I've been trying to locate my dad's car for at least twenty years now. You don't know how happy my mother, who is now 89 years old, going to be! Yes, I'm an amateur vintage car restorer. You can see my details under the 'introductions' sub forum.

SuperSelect · 8th August 2009, 23:47

Sunil saar,
Some pikchaars are in order. Waiting saar !

sunilgee · 10th August 2009, 20:37

I know you guys were getting impatient, so I thought I'd post the pics of the car "as is where is". The car is yet to be finished,upholstery,floormats,some electrical work etc.etc
Cheers,
SG

JayD · 10th August 2009, 20:47

The car is coming out great SG. Is the car being done up at 'Fort automobiles'?

Makes me want to start restoring my '61!

sunilgee · 10th August 2009, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD

The car is coming out great SG. Is the car being done up at 'Fort automobiles'?

Makes me want to start restoring my '61!

Yup!! Fort Automobiles... unfortunately they are facing severe staffing problems..just like all garages in Kerala 'becos of the Gelf rush'..impossible to find good mechanics, tinkers, painters etc. so work gets delayed indefineltly!!
Cheers,
SG

SuperSelect · 10th August 2009, 22:43

Looking good sunil. I just love those tail lights ! BTW is the dashboard original ?

amit V8 · 11th August 2009, 00:33

with Superselect, get an original dash and paint the remaining parts.

i am sure it will look like a stunner.

tonrag · 11th August 2009, 11:08

I must say, this is a remarkably original car! The only think wrong I could notice is the gearstick knob, which ought to be ivory colour. Have been searching for the original for my car for years! Do you have the rear seat ashtray? That is a rare item too. I was born and brought up in Ernakulam and would love to see the car next time I'm there.

sunilgee · 11th August 2009, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSelect

Looking good sunil. I just love those tail lights ! BTW is the dashboard original ?

No the dashboard is from another car, some @#%$&**% mechanic had fitted the latest fibre dashboard.Fortunately the previous owner had not thrown the meters away.Yup I must get the dashboard painted and lotsa small jobs.
Cheers,
SG

samish_g · 28th September 2009, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by amit V8

WOW!!! what a car, but the engine seems unoriginal.

what are these??
Attachment 160530

Is the rectangular thing below the metres, the space for AC slider switches?? just like this-
Attachment 160531

Dear Amit V8,
The button near the cluth pedal is the high beam to low beam switch.
Sorry, but I do not have any idea the one in the Instrument Panel, but it appears to be an AC control switch (may be fresh air / recirculating mode switch).

rajeev k · 13th October 2009, 12:24

The dash is post Mark II as it has the ashtray provision. The square shaped ash tray mounting provision continued for many years before it became integral with the dash. The mark I had a slotted square mount.

praveen4554 · 13th October 2009, 12:34

The car looks great , most of the parts seems to be operational and very neat maintained . All the best - Please update the pictures at every level of restoration.

8th August 2009, 17:46	#32
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	R-nairtvm, My father used to own a 1961 Ambassador, registered KLE 1111, which was cream or white when bought. He then sold it and bought a Mark II, initially registered KLE 3333, which is now with me in Bangalore, registered CAP 3161. I saw 1111 more than 20 years ago in Trivandrum. It was painted black, by then. Do you know if its still around?
	() Thanks

8th August 2009, 19:36	#34
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Thank you Ajay, I've been trying to locate my dad's car for at least twenty years now. You don't know how happy my mother, who is now 89 years old, going to be! Yes, I'm an amateur vintage car restorer. You can see my details under the 'introductions' sub forum.
	() Thanks

8th August 2009, 23:47	#35
SuperSelect Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai. Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 247 Times View My Garage	Sunil saar, Some pikchaars are in order. Waiting saar !
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 20:37	#36
sunilgee BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kochi Posts: 86 Thanked: 34 Times	Finally the pictures I know you guys were getting impatient, so I thought I'd post the pics of the car "as is where is". The car is yet to be finished,upholstery,floormats,some electrical work etc.etc Cheers, SG Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 20:47	#37
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,236 Thanked: 2,568 Times View My Garage	The car is coming out great SG. Is the car being done up at 'Fort automobiles'? Makes me want to start restoring my '61!
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 22:43	#39
SuperSelect Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai. Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 247 Times View My Garage	Looking good sunil. I just love those tail lights ! BTW is the dashboard original ?
	() Thanks

11th August 2009, 00:33	#40
amit V8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: kolkata Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 217 Times	with Superselect, get an original dash and paint the remaining parts. i am sure it will look like a stunner.
	() Thanks

11th August 2009, 11:08	#41
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	I must say, this is a remarkably original car! The only think wrong I could notice is the gearstick knob, which ought to be ivory colour. Have been searching for the original for my car for years! Do you have the rear seat ashtray? That is a rare item too. I was born and brought up in Ernakulam and would love to see the car next time I'm there.
	() Thanks

13th October 2009, 12:24	#44
rajeev k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Emerging Metro Posts: 3,352 Thanked: 1,947 Times	The dash is post Mark II as it has the ashtray provision. The square shaped ash tray mounting provision continued for many years before it became integral with the dash. The mark I had a slotted square mount.
	() Thanks

13th October 2009, 12:34	#45
praveen4554 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 98 Thanked: 0 Times	The car looks great , most of the parts seems to be operational and very neat maintained . All the best - Please update the pictures at every level of restoration.
	() Thanks