[AmbyLSX]

Hello TeamBHP,

I’m excited to share a personal project that I've been chasing for years, and I could really use your expertise.

A quick intro: I'm based in the U.S., but my roots are in Ooty and Coimbatore, India. I learned to drive in a 1986 Ambassador with my uncle. Sadly, the car was sold in 2006 after he tragically passed away, but I vowed to find it and restore it. Fast forward to today, I've finally located and purchased that very Ambassador. It's currently at my family home in Coimbatore, and I've attached a photo for reference.



I'm committed to restoring the car to its original condition and am open to shipping it anywhere within India to ensure top-quality work. Do you have recommendations on specialists or shops I should reach out to?

As a thank you for any advice you can offer, I'm more than happy to assist anyone here with automotive parts or expertise from the U.S., as I'm an enthusiast who also races (Spec Miata, WRL Endurance Series).

Best regards,
Karthik



More pictures to follow.

[GTO]

Restoring an Ambassador, Padmini, Mahindra Jeep or similar vehicles is a relatively simple exercise. Parts still aren't that tough to find, there is ample jugaad possible & the cars are mechanically very simple. Be sure to only go for top quality labour & endless dollops of rust-proof treatment (use Wurth products).

I like the work Viraat does at his garage in Delhi. He is also BHPian Viraat13.

You must go through the restoration threads of Ambassadors & Landmasters for additional tips & advice.

You are very lucky that the USA has made it possible to import cars over 25-years old.

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

Hello TeamBHP,

I'm committed to restoring the car to its original condition and am open to shipping it anywhere within India to ensure top-quality work. Do you have recommendations on specialists or shops I should reach out to?[/b]

As a thank you for any advice you can offer, I'm more than happy to assist anyone here with automotive parts or expertise from the U.S., as I'm an enthusiast who also races (spec miata, WRL endurance series).

Which Engine and GB is your car running On? Diesel or Petrol? Try contacting Being Vintage Link: https://www.instagram.com/being.vintage/ .Location : Trivandrum , Kerala

Originally Posted by GTO

Restoring an Ambassador, Padmini, Mahindra Jeep or similar vehicles is a relatively simple exercise. Parts still aren't that tough to find, there is ample jugaad possible & the cars are mechanically very simple. Be sure to only go for top quality labour & endless dollops of rust-proof treatment (use Wurth products).
.

It's not that easy, Getting quality spares is very difficult most of the spares that are available are below average in quality be it mechanical or cosmetic. Online sellers are charging a premium for used original parts as well.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

..I've finally located and purchased that very Ambassador. It's currently at my family home in Coimbatore, and I've attached a photo for reference.
...

First of all congratulations on getting back the very same car. You are extremly lucky that an Amby today is not scrapped. Even my F-I-L had an amby which he wanted to keep for long, but ended up scrapping it.

As for restoring, I would advise you to spend the same amount of effort you put in tracking the car and buying it, into finding out a good garage. Let Team-BHP be a good start for that.

Also note that most times restorations mostly focus on the cosmetic element as thats what shows the money's worth. However, please go that extra mile to even engineer the car to a mechanical perfection. Only then you will have the cake and can eat it too..

Originally Posted by justin.das

...
It's not that easy, Getting quality spares is very difficult most of the spares that are available are below average in quality be it mechanical or cosmetic. Online sellers are charging a premium for used original parts as well.

I know.. getting good quality parts for even a Jeep is getting tough today.
But, what GTO was saying is, its "relatively" easy, when compared to older mercs or more expensive classics.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by justin.das

Which Engine and GB is your car running On?

Great question! @ AmbyLSX, whatever engine it is running, swap it out to the 1.8L ISZ which really was the best engine for the Ambassador.

It's not that easy, Getting quality spares is very difficult most of the spares that are available are below average in quality be it mechanical or cosmetic.

I know . I own a '97 out-of-production Mahindra Classic. But the right garage makes all the difference. Either they are able to source new parts, used parts, jugaad parts or custom fabricate parts. My '97 Jeep has a mix of all of these.

The right garage & the right person makes all the difference (in particular, their network & ability to source).

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

I know.. Getting good quality parts for even a Jeep is getting tough today.
But, what GTO was saying is, its "relatively" easy, when compared to older mercs or more expensive classics.

Understood. Hunting quality parts is one of the most time-consuming parts of any restoration. Financial disaster as well

Originally Posted by GTO

Great question! @ AmbyLSX, whatever engine it is running, swap it out to the 1.8L ISZ which really was the best engine for the Ambassador.

Another option is to completely overhaul the original BMC 1.5 OHV with high-quality parts for a proper classic feel.

Originally Posted by GTO

I know . I own a '97 out-of-production Mahindra Classic. But the right garage makes all the difference. Either they are able to source new parts, used parts, jugaad parts or custom fabricate parts. My '97 Jeep has a mix of all of these.

The right garage & the right person makes all the difference (in particular, their network & ability to source).

True, The right garage & the right person makes all the difference . With Quality Parts these cars will run forever. Here is mine.

[sandeepmdas]

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

Hello TeamBHP,

I learned to drive in a 1986 Ambassador with my uncle. Sadly, the car was sold in 2006 after he tragically passed away, .... It's currently at my family home in Coimbatore.

I learnt driving in a 1980 Amby Mark 3 in 1986, in Kerala. In those days, Coimbatore was considered as the best place in India to "dieselize" and air-condition the Amby. In fact, immediately after my driving lessons, the Mark 3 petrol was converted to Matador Diesel, a King (or National) AC was fitted, radiator was changed, the front bench seat was replaced with 2 bucket seats, column-shift gear lever was replaced with "platform gear", a Pioneer Stereo cassette player was fitted and all glasses were changed to tinted ones. Repainted and also treated with some MRF anti-rust product. There were two proud decals in the boot when she returned: Power Brake and A/c No Hand Signal Only to be sold in 1990, due to bad times.

Everything was done in Coimbatore, all the above. Where has gone all those expert "mestris" and master mechanics? I don't know about the current situation in Coimbatore, but I sincerely hope some of those legendary workshops are still there.

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

I'm committed to restoring the car to its original condition and am open to shipping it anywhere within India to ensure top-quality work. Do you have recommendations on specialists or shops I should reach out to?

Hi Karthik, nice to see you on tbhp. Coimbatore is a major hub for automobiles. Don't know about the current situation, Alagendran Autos, Gandhipuram used to be the recommended shop for getting the spares. Similarly, Koyas, Gopalapuram for upholstery.
On the mechanics, no idea, but I am sure there would be some good ones in Coimbatore itself since you do find some good condition Ambys still running down south. Woul be great if you could share what powertrain the car is currently running with.

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by GTO

Great question! @ AmbyLSX, whatever engine it is running, swap it out to the 1.8L ISZ which really was the best engine for the Ambassador. .

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

A quick intro: I've finally located and purchased that very Ambassador.
I'm committed to restoring the car to its original condition and am open to shipping it anywhere within India to ensure top-quality work. Do you have recommendations on specialists or shops I should reach out to?

Commendable efforts thus far, Kudos. For some reason I am imagining you make a Singer out of the Amby and I'm glued to this thread. Wishing you all the very best.

As for Powertrain, while I agree with GTO that the ISZ is the motor to have for an Amby, would you be able to have it serviced in US? How about shipping out a Powertrain from the US to India and retrofit on the Amby. Not for the power but more for long term serviceability and parts availability. Will be Epic.

Cosmetic stuff and Sheet metal can always be reproduced.

Just some food for thought.

I know this is far too early but if you're having questions about dos/dont's about shipping out the car, do chat up with bhpian @arbind Ray who has exported his Ford Endeavor from India to UK. refer this link. (I exported my Ford Endeavour from India to the UK!)

[AmbyLSX]

Originally Posted by GTO

Restoring an Ambassador, Padmini, Mahindra Jeep or similar vehicles is a relatively simple exercise. Parts still aren't that tough to find, there is ample jugaad possible & the cars are mechanically very simple. Be sure to only go for top quality labour & endless dollops of rust-proof treatment (use Wurth products).

I like the work Viraat does at his garage in Delhi. He is also BHPian Viraat13.

You must go through the restoration threads of Ambassadors & Landmasters for additional tips & advice.

You are very lucky that the USA has made it possible to import cars over 25-years old.

Thanks, GTO. I've gone through every related thread on this forum and watched all related YouTube videos multiple times. I am inspired by so many individuals and projects on here. While some might say I'm a bit obsessed with my projects, this one holds a special place in my heart. It's been a passion project ever since my dear uncle passed away.


We are lucky that import laws here allow folks like myself to chase a life long dream.

Originally Posted by justin.das

Which Engine and GB is your car running On? Diesel or Petrol? Try contacting Being Vintage Link: https://www.instagram.com/being.vintage/ .Location : Trivandrum , Kerala



It's not that easy, Getting quality spares is very difficult most of the spares that are available are below average in quality be it mechanical or cosmetic. Online sellers are charging a premium for used original parts as well.

I'll be sharing additional photos of the car's condition and its engine soon. The car I initially learned to drive had a diesel engine and a column shifter. I'm aware that the current setup features a floor shift, which I plan to convert back to its original state. I am currently working on registering the car in my name and related formalities.

Originally Posted by dhanushs

First of all congratulations on getting back the very same car. You are extremly lucky that an Amby today is not scrapped. Even my F-I-L had an amby which he wanted to keep for long, but ended up scrapping it.

As for restoring, I would advise you to spend the same amount of effort you put in tracking the car and buying it, into finding out a good garage. Let Team-BHP be a good start for that.

Also note that most times restorations mostly focus on the cosmetic element as thats what shows the money's worth. However, please go that extra mile to even engineer the car to a mechanical perfection. Only then you will have the cake and can eat it too..


I know.. getting good quality parts for even a Jeep is getting tough today.
But, what GTO was saying is, its "relatively" easy, when compared to older mercs or more expensive classics.

Thanks for the kind words and advice. This project aims for a complete restoration to either OEM or OEM+ standards, covering cosmetics, structure, and even the smallest nuts and bolts. The plan is for this car to stay in the family, hopefully being enjoyed by my children, grandchildren, and future generations.

[AmbyLSX]

Originally Posted by 14000rpm

Commendable efforts thus far, Kudos. For some reason I am imagining you make a Singer out of the Amby and I'm glued to this thread. Wishing you all the very best.

Thank you. I initially had another plan of doing the full restoration in the US but put that plan on hold (for now) mainly due to the cost and the time involved. One idea that was floated was a frame and engine swap to possibly an NA ZO6 motor. The custom frame would have been developed by Art Morrison and the work would be completed by Metal Works Speed Shop .

I might explore future improvements in the US but I believe there is so much talent and passion in India and that is my first preference to showcase the strengths of our country.

As far as servicing the IZM motor in the US, that should be fine. I am reasonably handy (and work on some of my cars). And in the worst case, I could replace/upgrade here.

Also, my family is spread throughout Tamil Nadu, but we do have offices in Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, and my in-law's family is from Mumbai/Pune, so ANYWHERE in India is fine for this project. I know how important finding the right shop and company is, and I realize that this project could be expensive.

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

I'm committed to restoring the car to its original condition and am open to shipping it anywhere within India to ensure top-quality work. Do you have recommendations on specialists or shops I should reach out to?

As someone who has used a 1979 Ambassador in the recent past, I'll be able to throw some light in here.

Working on the Ambassador isn't too difficult yet, I had 3 different mechanics who were competent in what they did in Vellore, a smaller town than Coimbatore.

Mechanical restoration will depend on what engine + gearbox the car has. A lot of 80's Ambassadors currently have the Matador diesel, which is quite an efficient and easy to maintain motor. If your car has the original column shifter, you'll need a mechanic who has worked on those before, which are available aplenty in Coimbatore.

As far as the exterior trims & cosmetics are concerned, you'll have to do a lot of hunting for original parts like the Mark 4 specific grille, steering wheel etc. Sellers are already quoting exorbitant prices for these items and once they know you're an NRI, they'll most definitely try to rip you off further!

I'm not sure if you're planning to be in Coimbatore for the restoration process or if you're planning to execute the whole thing remotely from the US. If latter is the case, you may be better off approaching shops which specialise in these matters, instead of asking someone to do mechanic hopping. Waiting for more pictures and the list of work to be done on the car, so that people can advise you better.

[AmbyLSX]

Originally Posted by Geo_Ipe

As someone who has used a 1979 Ambassador in the recent past, I'll be able to throw some light in here.

Working on the Ambassador isn't too difficult yet, I had 3 different mechanics who were competent in what they did in Vellore, a smaller town than Coimbatore.

I'll be based in the US for the majority of the restoration project but plan to make a couple of visits—the next trips in October and December. Fortunately, I have extensive family in India that will assist me on the ground. I do agree finding a shop that has Amby restoration experience and passion for vintage cars, would be the best route at an added cost. Based on the recommendation earlier, I have reached out to Being Vintage (Kerala) and in talks with him.

Stay tuned for pictures and additional updates. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read this thread and offer advice. I appreciate each one of you!

[evolvo]

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

I learned to drive in a 1986 Ambassador with my uncle. Sadly, the car was sold in 2006 after he tragically passed away, but I vowed to find it and restore it. Fast forward to today, I've finally located and purchased that very Ambassador. It's currently at my family home in Coimbatore, and I've attached a photo for reference.

It’s heartening to hear this…

Originally Posted by AmbyLSX

I'm committed to restoring the car to its original condition and am open to shipping it anywhere within India to ensure top-quality work. Do you have recommendations on specialists or shops I should reach out to?

Have you considered going electric? I’ve seen so many examples of old Minis converted to Electric…there’s even ready kits available.

Electric Mini in the UK

Here’s an example

Indian EV Ambassador: this is an older video with Lead Acid conversion, but you could use a modern LFP in current times:

https://youtu.be/Kd2bDmx74VY

Here’s an Amby restoration example:

https://youtu.be/1nW7rXO4eWQ?si=DJfex086NT9hiCsj

It’s a great fusion of the nostalgic past with the future of mobility. Looks slick and surreal, gliding in a silent electric amby

I know restoration is kinda tough with all the logistics, parts and effort involved. However, if you’re going to take the effort to restore it, why not make it future proof and uber cool in one go

[RGK]

I think Coimbatore which is known for Auto Garages ought to have great technicians (tinker, painter and mechanic) and experts who can do great rebuilding.

Check with Alagendra Auto (Dr Nanjappa Road) about the availability of spares or on the other hand in the event that it must be obtained from Mumbai. Mr. Kannan who deals with imported Spares in Pudupet, Chennai, is a good place to start your search for Isuzu diesel 1.8.

I believe he has sold over 500 used Isuzu engines.