Talk about keepin' it real. The badge-engineered Morris Oxford built India's automotive economy from scratch, but a new era of econoboxes chipped away at the Ambassador's (a.k.a. Amby) market share and umm, charm. Like Detroit, Hindustan Motors must see the writing on the wall; the latest Amby sports a freshened interior and increased NVH control that take it from tail bone bashing to merely harsh. To accompany the new-ish electronically controlled powertrains and fully synchro'd transmissions (1974 called, they want their stuff back), the company's devised a new name to tempt aspiring if nostalgic-minded motorists: Avigo. Looking like a Mini (no caps) on the cheap, the jury's out on the Avigo's success in the fully-globalized land of Bollywood dancers and Bhangra beats. Tunak, Tunak!
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What a desecration! But does it matter, when it is of somthing that is not holy?
The only reason the “Amby” (as its Stockholm afflicted aficionado-hostages refer to it) should survive is because it serves as a continual reminder, an epitome, of how trade protectionism stunts growth and paused a whole nation for 50 years. Why, five years ago, even the then Prime Minister of India relegated to the ash heap… for a BMW.
I mean, honestly, would they first let the model die before an attempt to resurrect it is made? The Mini had been dead about a full year (unbelievably in production until 2000) before BMW resurrected it as the MINI in 2001, carrying over no parts from the original. Apply paddles to that which is in v-fib, not that which is merely in a socialist slumber borne of the delusion of government protection.
And what a wonderfully ironic desecration it is. It is has modern looking plastic appliques trying to smooth over the essentially 1950’s underpinnings. This is in stark contrast to the MINI or New Beetle (or even the Mustang) which have modern chassis with a fine veneer of nostalgia… just enough to drive record sales. The engine is a mildly breathed over “potent” (their words, not mine) 1.8L Isuzu four — thankfully the asthmatic carburetted 1489cc pushrod was ditched some years ago (it did have a nice raspberry burble though). The same safety-unconscious body structure (“my son died in the crash, but my trusty Amby was re-sellable”, would be something no father would say with great pride). The antediluvian solid-axled suspension still has grease points and leaf springs. If course, it has been “improved” — better bushings, higher temp grease specification… the kaizen is breathtaking.
The Hindustan Avigo. All the foibles of a classic with none of the aesthetic rewards.
Well, when I lived in the UK (we’re talking in 1990 here) and worked for an employer (since out of biz – what a surprise) which refused to give us any pay raises for 3 years (during a time of 15% inflation PER YEAR), I ended up having to buy a new car when our (not so) trusty Saab 99 blew up while we were on holiday near Wales.
All I could afford new was a Yugo 411 (an antiquated Fiat 128 with a hatch added), a twitchy rear engine Skoda (no dealer nearby), an FSO 1300 (Polish built brand new 1966 Fiat 125 with 1960 Fiat engine, no dealer nearby – thank God) or a Lada Riva. I bought the Lada. It was literally less than 1/2 the price of a new Ford Escort, and I had to choose between a) buying it b) buying an Escort or pricey equivalent and none of my family eating or c) taking a chance on yet another dodgy used banger and paying a higher interest loan than that for a new car.
So yep, India DID have everything mentioned above – protectionism which made sure than only brand new antiques literally were all you could buy. But in my case, buying a brand new antique worked for me for pure economic reasons.
Actually, the little Blue Lada was a better car than many of the US built cars I’ve bought since moving back home 15 years ago. Embarassingly.
Of course, we’d have all died in a car crash. But then, not much of anything was very safe in the UK then. Air bags? Aren’t they what stand around in Parliament?! Rear seat belts were only mandated by the UK government in cars in 1987, after all.
Hang on a minute here.
This Avigo (the Mini lookalike “Amby”) was launched in 2004, and they’ve had Mazda engines for ages.
Is this really news ?
glenn126 :
Well, when I lived in the UK (we’re talking in 1990 here)…(during a time of 15% inflation PER YEAR)
UK RPI has been under 10% since then end of 1981. In 1990 I think the average is around 8%. See here (PDF). There was a brief period when the Bank of England central lending rate was 15% but I think that was only for about 2 hours one night when the GBP fell out of the ERM.
Ladas were better than their reputation though. Those hardy souls out on the steppe with their furry hats and red stars couldn’t all be wrong.
Taxed: correct, its far from breaking news. But I saw the Avigo mentioned on the interweb and I thought the timing was awesome considering TTAC’s Ford Focus review.
And it makes for fun Friday blogging, no? :)
Have any of you been to the website for this car? “You will be talked about, mostly behind your back?” What the devil?
http://www.hmambassador.com/
Ryan: Hinglish is a beautiful thing.
Deep in our hearts we know that no amount of sellling can make you take her home. Yes, you will definitely come across some words of discouragement from a mundane few. But then, who cares?
Such brash honesty! No wonder the Hyundai Santro sells so well!
So all we want to tell you is… just listen to your heart. Listen carefully as you run your fingers over the Avigo’s beautiful curves.. as you touch her for the very first time.
I may be an ABCD, but reading this gets me hot under the collar!
Yes, I loved the shape of the old Indian cars I grew up driving. The Premier 118NE (neé FIAT 124, with 1171 cc pushrod Nissan Engine…sweet sounding, butter smooooth gearbox) and the Hindustan Amby (with 1489cc pushrod 4, replete with graunchy column shift 4 speed, synchromesh on gears 2,3,4).
The essences of the shapes of these cars inspired my purchases in adulthood. My E30 BMW’s dashboard reminded me of the 118NE. The curves of my E39 M5, in a perverse manner, evoke the Amby. Some of the visual nostalgia… with none of the functional compromise.
…thought the timing was awesome considering TTAC’s Ford Focus review.
I suppose. There are loads of other cars which should be dead but still in production. I think you can buy a 1960s Peugeot 504 made new in Africa, plus a Mk1 Golf in South Africa, or something like that.
Its true the that car is really old . but again it is good to see a classic car still in production.
one thing i found is that if you want to enjoy the nature while driving then go for a Ambassador without power steering ..try it .it really make sense while cruising around .
with safety …err ..i have seen mercs in bad shape .
but else there are better cars available .