Wanted a Contessa (or sanity)

Elito11 · 27th September 2007, 20:23

Well i have finally decided to follow a looooooooong cherished dream - Buy a Contessa!

This is probably a really really unwise decision from most point of views but its pure love... a neighbour once owned one and i never drove a more pleasurable car! it was love at first drive.

Anyways, my dream is just that .. a dream. I really have no knowledge about price, maintainence and availaibility of spares for a conti except .. that its really bad!!

What i want is a advise with regards to

- Is it worth it?

- What price, what condition?? Petrol or diesel (have only driven petrol...love it)
- Immediate mods, service, changes required?
- Anything else?

A friend from CHD suggested isuzu turbos. How good is that option??
Thanks in advance ppl.

regards

Elito

rankoz350 · 23rd November 2007, 15:46

Any good samaritan on this?..... Me also wanna buy one

rocksterraghu · 23rd November 2007, 16:04

I've looked around for a long time (for my cousin) finding one in pristine order. Never found one - something or the other is wrong. Finally dropped the idea.

You'll have to be prepared to search, restore and most of all, spend.

Mr.Bangalore · 23rd November 2007, 16:26

well if are keen on getting one, just try in State Govt dept, they usally acution old cars, if have contacts you can bid and get yourself ...

Edsel Rulez! · 23rd November 2007, 18:12

Two years ago, around a dozen sparingly used Contessas (about 4-5 years old at the time) were lying in the gardens of Alwaye Palace near Cochin. They were the official cars of the judges of the Kerala High Court, and were cast off when their owners moved up to Lancers and Skodas. Nobody seemed to want them at the asking reserve price, so they were left to rot. I expect they must have been scrapped by now!

Harbir · 24th November 2007, 00:19

Oh lord, I remember when the Contessa had the 1.5Litre 54 horsepower OHV engine from the Ambassador. God, it was awful. But interesting, I would love to own one of those amby engined contessas now for its sheer oddity factor.

For years and years, there was talk of the Isuzu engine to come and my dad would talk about wanting to buy that when it came out, at a time he was driving a 1973 Amby Mk3. It never did happen, but wow, I remember when they finally came out with it around 1987, the Contessa Classic 1.8GL, what a magnificent car it was in the Indian scene where a Maruti 800 was still the hottest thing around and a 118NE was an exotic.

I would not question you for wanting to buy one. Now compared to what you can get in India, its just a primitive old bucket, but who can argue with attractions of the heart? I would be glad to drive one as a primary car in India.

I am sorry that I cannot tell you anything about its problems, value, etc.

binz · 24th November 2007, 01:55

I want one,ive seen a few .. will be talking to the owners in some time.
I still want to know the PCD of this car.If anyone could help out,would be appreciated.
And you guys who have conties,problems you faced

parimal_vijay · 24th November 2007, 08:19

if you are in the market for a conty and live in bangalore there is govt office between ashoka hotel and chitra kala parishad where they auction conty's off.
had been there a month back and the lot was full of em, mpfi contessa with govt license plates(which need to be removed). spoke to the transport officer who informed me that since the lot was full they would be auctioning all of them off soon and that an advertisement should appear in all the leading newspapers.the order sanctioning the sale needs to be approved by the govt and the recent turmoil that KA govt has undergone dosent help. btw i spotted an lone ford ikon as well. the prices for these conty's on auction day should be 15k upwards. since they are left exposed to the elements cant coment on the condition and on auction day you need to get your own battery and fuel to drive the car back not to mention you cannot test drive the car before you place ur bid.

AirWind · 24th November 2007, 21:59

Yes Conty is a dream machine (its indeed a ship and not a car) and it would be worth it giving you the exclusivity but be prepared for maintenance and hassles. I know of someone in Coimbatore who had to cast a crank shaft on his own (lucky he was in the foundary city) as he didnt get one...

Best is to pick up the petrol version for ~25k (lesser abused and would be in gr8 shape), get a diesel transplant either an Isuzu or a Nissan (2L engine+transmission, get it from an imported used engine dealer in Chennai) for ~40k, fix all issues for 30k, 5k for registration, NOC, etc., and you have a winner for a lac Rs.

supercars · 25th November 2007, 21:46

I cannot believe that an Indian Car would not have spares sold anymore.

boybandreject · 10th December 2007, 14:37

Does anyone know if there are any contessa's for sale in the mangalore-udipi region ? I've been looking for one for ages...seen a few around town but none seem to be for sale .

wolfinstein · 10th December 2007, 14:54

If I ever do a rebuild project in my life, I would like the conti to be one of my first choices....!

Would look at a Sporty Blue Metallic Paint job, Dual Exhaust,Alloys and new interiors, along with body kit for a sportier look. As for the engine, would look at the 1.8 Isuzu CNG compatible engine from Amby provided it fits and can source one since you intend to drive it in delhi.

bblost · 17th December 2007, 17:58

Watch this thread:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...s-auction.html

spoiler · 5th May 2016, 18:05

Any recent auction news regarding Contessa?

27th September 2007, 20:23	#1
Elito11 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 509 Thanked: 107 Times	Wanted a Contessa (or sanity) Well i have finally decided to follow a looooooooong cherished dream - Buy a Contessa! This is probably a really really unwise decision from most point of views but its pure love... a neighbour once owned one and i never drove a more pleasurable car! it was love at first drive. Anyways, my dream is just that .. a dream. I really have no knowledge about price, maintainence and availaibility of spares for a conti except .. that its really bad!! What i want is a advise with regards to - Is it worth it? - What price, what condition?? Petrol or diesel (have only driven petrol...love it) - Immediate mods, service, changes required? - Anything else? A friend from CHD suggested isuzu turbos. How good is that option?? Thanks in advance ppl. regards Elito Last edited by aah78 : 27th September 2007 at 20:31. Reason: excessive dots removed. please avoid slang. eg. "ANywaz" is not "Anyways".
	() Thanks

23rd November 2007, 15:46	#2
rankoz350 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ghusais - Bangalore - Dehradun Posts: 94 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Any good samaritan on this?..... Me also wanna buy one
	() Thanks

23rd November 2007, 16:04	#3
rocksterraghu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,240 Thanked: 236 Times View My Garage	I've looked around for a long time (for my cousin) finding one in pristine order. Never found one - something or the other is wrong. Finally dropped the idea. You'll have to be prepared to search, restore and most of all, spend.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2007, 16:26	#4
Mr.Bangalore BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bengalooru Posts: 368 Thanked: 55 Times View My Garage	well if are keen on getting one, just try in State Govt dept, they usally acution old cars, if have contacts you can bid and get yourself ...
	() Thanks

23rd November 2007, 18:12	#5
Edsel Rulez! BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 210 Thanked: 25 Times	Two years ago, around a dozen sparingly used Contessas (about 4-5 years old at the time) were lying in the gardens of Alwaye Palace near Cochin. They were the official cars of the judges of the Kerala High Court, and were cast off when their owners moved up to Lancers and Skodas. Nobody seemed to want them at the asking reserve price, so they were left to rot. I expect they must have been scrapped by now!
	() Thanks

24th November 2007, 00:19	#6
Harbir BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 920 Thanked: 1,025 Times View My Garage	Oh lord, I remember when the Contessa had the 1.5Litre 54 horsepower OHV engine from the Ambassador. God, it was awful. But interesting, I would love to own one of those amby engined contessas now for its sheer oddity factor. For years and years, there was talk of the Isuzu engine to come and my dad would talk about wanting to buy that when it came out, at a time he was driving a 1973 Amby Mk3. It never did happen, but wow, I remember when they finally came out with it around 1987, the Contessa Classic 1.8GL, what a magnificent car it was in the Indian scene where a Maruti 800 was still the hottest thing around and a 118NE was an exotic. I would not question you for wanting to buy one. Now compared to what you can get in India, its just a primitive old bucket, but who can argue with attractions of the heart? I would be glad to drive one as a primary car in India. I am sorry that I cannot tell you anything about its problems, value, etc.
	() Thanks

24th November 2007, 01:55	#7
binz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,306 Thanked: 431 Times View My Garage	I want one,ive seen a few .. will be talking to the owners in some time. I still want to know the PCD of this car.If anyone could help out,would be appreciated. And you guys who have conties,problems you faced
	() Thanks

24th November 2007, 08:19	#8
parimal_vijay Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Times	conty's to be auctioned if you are in the market for a conty and live in bangalore there is govt office between ashoka hotel and chitra kala parishad where they auction conty's off. had been there a month back and the lot was full of em, mpfi contessa with govt license plates(which need to be removed). spoke to the transport officer who informed me that since the lot was full they would be auctioning all of them off soon and that an advertisement should appear in all the leading newspapers.the order sanctioning the sale needs to be approved by the govt and the recent turmoil that KA govt has undergone dosent help. btw i spotted an lone ford ikon as well. the prices for these conty's on auction day should be 15k upwards. since they are left exposed to the elements cant coment on the condition and on auction day you need to get your own battery and fuel to drive the car back not to mention you cannot test drive the car before you place ur bid.
	() Thanks

24th November 2007, 21:59	#9
AirWind BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 998 Thanked: 404 Times View My Garage	Yes Conty is a dream machine (its indeed a ship and not a car) and it would be worth it giving you the exclusivity but be prepared for maintenance and hassles. I know of someone in Coimbatore who had to cast a crank shaft on his own (lucky he was in the foundary city) as he didnt get one... Best is to pick up the petrol version for ~25k (lesser abused and would be in gr8 shape), get a diesel transplant either an Isuzu or a Nissan (2L engine+transmission, get it from an imported used engine dealer in Chennai) for ~40k, fix all issues for 30k, 5k for registration, NOC, etc., and you have a winner for a lac Rs.
	() Thanks

25th November 2007, 21:46	#10
supercars BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bombay Posts: 484 Thanked: 27 Times	I cannot believe that an Indian Car would not have spares sold anymore.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 14:37	#11
boybandreject Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Manipal/kuwait Posts: 14 Thanked: 0 Times	Does anyone know if there are any contessa's for sale in the mangalore-udipi region ? I've been looking for one for ages...seen a few around town but none seem to be for sale .
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 14:54	#12
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	If I ever do a rebuild project in my life, I would like the conti to be one of my first choices....! Would look at a Sporty Blue Metallic Paint job, Dual Exhaust,Alloys and new interiors, along with body kit for a sportier look. As for the engine, would look at the 1.8 Isuzu CNG compatible engine from Amby provided it fits and can source one since you intend to drive it in delhi.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 17:58	#13
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,000 Thanked: 15,305 Times View My Garage	Watch this thread: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...s-auction.html
	() Thanks

5th May 2016, 18:05	#14
spoiler BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kannur,Kerala Posts: 31 Thanked: 3 Times	Re: Wanted a Contessa (or sanity) Any recent auction news regarding Contessa?
	() Thanks

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search