[naveenroy]

I'm no car guy but I have memories of my aunt's family owning 2 Ambys. One black, one white. And one of my oldest memories has been of my cousin using the choicest epithets whenever the cars broke down - and they usually did. And he personally used to take care of them and runs a garage. They had enough of them after many years and just sold them for a pittance for the trouble they used to give.

Its funny how this comparison (nostalgic no doubt) between the RE and the Amby came about. There are staunch supporters of both these machines - though IMHO (cross my heart, hope to die, spare me the brickbats etc etc) they are both really bad pieces of engineering. Both with the same kind of problems. But like a breed of starry eyed lovers are there, there will always be people to look beyond all that.

But for me, I would safely admire an Amby and an RE - from a distance. Please keep them away from me

[lapis_lazuli]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

This car has run over 250000 Miles (not KM), still used five days a week and possibly still running on stock engine.

Rahul, and it is a petrol too......sheesh! Our Mark 3 used to deliver around 8 in the city. The traffic itself was sparse early 80s.

[SandyX]

I'm not going into the whole disgrace thing here cause sane people will know how to see things properly.

I'm 20-something & I'll take an Amby anyday over anything humans dish out these days. Have travelled a lot in them through roads & no-roads, umpteen times, & never really felt anything lacking. Over here, most Ambys are well maintained so they will start, run & get back home the way they should. Just the other day, a brand new one was spotted here too.

One buys a private Amby to have an Amby, a fact which many can never process.

[mercedised]

This thread reveved my old memories. In the early 90's my grandpa and me used to wake-up at 5 in the morning, remove the air filter assembly and throw it in the fire so that it heat's up and then we used to start the car usually after heating up the air filter it used to get started in 3 cranks. Sometimes we had to put a burning cloth inside the airfilter assembly to start the engine. Gone are those days and now I own a Tata. I really love that car for its exclusivity.

[Paramesh]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

Pricing a car that is 50 years old competitively shouldn't be a problem, durable is the last thing an Amby is, a trip to the mechanic every fortnight is compulsory just to make sure the damn thing starts when you want it to. Seating comfort is nothing great, especially on a rattling wreck which it is the day it comes from the showroom. Engine power? I agree with bootspace, maybe indians need to pack lighter.

Those eager to defend this car, please let me know when you had it as a primary vehicle at home, we had it as recently as 2003. The car is a disgrace to this country, and probably one reason my dad is willing to try any new car, he knows the Amby is just praised by people who never had to put up with it. I don't see why anyone should buy this junk when there are so many options in the market. Its high time safety regulations put an end to the production.

I completely disagree with your thoughts about the Indian Car (read Amby). I here to defend this because we own 2 ambies, one with the tourist board and own board... to start with can u pls temme which car (read modern car) comes trouble free (which means u need no service at all) to you point of taking your ambi to service every fortnight..my point here is all cars need to be maintained well in order to avoid fortnight service.. i assume you battery was not maintained properly or you parked your car in gargage for long before taking it out.

http://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/ambas....XM5zP43F.dpbs

Next Do NOT call this product as a disgrace to country, infact if you have unknown facts visit the link below... It is the best taxi in the world beating US/UK/Limo in this extreme test conducted by global automotive programme Top Gear... jus google it for more info and watch this video for this strudy performance since you talk of high time regulations.. It is the strongest and safety car even without ABS.airbags when compared to modern cars with these features..

So before posting about anything verify the facts and post your own assumption. Just do not post damaging gist about the same

[gopaneel]

We had a 1964 model Amby which my family owned and maintained from 1966 till 1999. During the period, it must have done atleat 1.5 Lakh kilometres. And that was with the original engine. There was no major engine repair done. What is important is that none of these Ambassadors had the regular 6/12 months services and oil changes. Oil changes were hardly tracker. The only recurring problem was that of rust and painting. The petrol engine never felt like it lacked pickup. So it wouldn't be nice to call it a disgrace as I'm not sure how many of today's cars would run for 30 years.

My dad's family also had an Amby from 1965. This remained in the family till probably 2003.

While people say these machines were unreliable, it was mainly because they were not serviced at regular intervals or parts replaced regularly, like with today's car. Parts were replaced only when there was a prob. Which is obviously why there were breakdowns.

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by Paramesh

It is the strongest and safety car even without ABS.airbags when compared to modern cars with these features..

While I agree with your other points - in the above I would like to differ. Amby was heavy and strong, but it was not safe. Not only because it lacked active safety features, but also because the old design did not include a proper crumble zone. Many accidents have proven this - people die because the steering column itself breaks the rib cage of the driver!!

[saket77]

I have experienced the Amby and Fiat 1100 D since my childhood as family cars. In my opinion which I have formed based on my experience, both cars were not reliable. I am not comparing the reliability to the modern cars, but they were in themselves not reliable- neither of the two. We did take them to long tours. I remember the Amby with poor brakes, failed clutch, failed charging system. The Fiat we had was notorious with the dynamo/ charging system. Once the differential too gave up.
Out of the two, I would rate the Fiat 1100D a little better since it had good brakes when compared to Amby and I thought it to be a better handler on tarmac. However, the ground clearance was notoriously low which made sure that after every long trip, it would see a welder for getting the silencer muffler repair. In FE dept., Fiat again was better and could deliver upto 14KMPL on highways. I learnt driving at a very very young age in that Fiat and I can tell, it was much more fun to drive than the Amby.

But since we petrol heads are attached to these historical automobiles, call it nostalgia or whatever, they certainly have a place in our hearts.

But let me add that I would never like to own any of the two again in my life.

[selvagp]

Couple of days back, I watched HM Ambassador take the title as the World's best taxi in Top Gear.
It may be an old episode (and some controversy around Top Gear India special), but sure in its own way Ambassador beat the likes of Merc

Source:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbP-GhH5Ci4

[mints21]

A few days back, I spotted yet another unique car. This is ambassador's cousin and was in perfect working condition, another rare car on Indian road these days. Spotted opposite Savitri Cinema, Outer Ring Road, New Delhi.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The boot space is less than it looks. I have had cases damaged in Amby boots on airport trips because of that curve of the boot.

First things first. I liked your signature.
I use similar line below my mails; sent from my decade old desktop.
Ambassador car boot with its recess also spoils luggage. The good thing is that there are two niche spaces on either side behind the wheel arches where brake fluid and engine oil cans can be safely stored.

Another scene soon to become part of memory, the brand new M800; seen last week at Edappally, Kochi

[joybhowmik]

Oxford Morris/Ambassador has been and always will be a cherished piece of history.
But, do add to that a liberal dose of emotional attachment especially those of the growing up years, and what results is an icon.
Forgotten are the issues with mileage, handling, rust - what remains is pure love for the vehicle of yesteryear.