Good ol’ Amby: Amid news of Ambassador revival, vintage car fans get nostalgic
Updated On: 07 June, 2022 04:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
As reports of the Ambassador’s revival in an electric avatar do the rounds, enthusiasts of the classic car in Mumbai take us back in time to when they purchased their favourite ride. The question on their mind: Will the new version give a hat tip to the old?
Listen to this article :
The Ambassador in Yash Samant`s home has been with the family since 1977, when his great-grandfather purchased it. Photo Courtesy: Yash Samant
Growing up in the late 70s and 80s in Mumbai, Sanat Dattatraya Patil had the opportunity to travel in the Ambassador very often. It was among the three popular cars – including Fiat and Jeep –plying on city roads then. “I have a lot of memories with the Ambassador because of my relatives who worked with the government, and my father who had a Jeep and an Ambassador.” Ever since, he always wanted to own one. Fast forward to 2009, Borivali-based Patil, while on a visit to Kerala for a friend’s wedding, happened to sit in a golden Ambassador and that instantly reignited his love for the car. “By this time, there were very few Ambassadors in Mumbai and while travelling in Kerala in the car, I decided I was going to buy an Ambassador in Mumbai.”
The Hindustan Ambassador, known simply as ‘the Ambassador’, was an iconic car manufactured by Hindustan Motors from 1957 till 2014. However, over the years, it completely disappeared from city streets as newer, bigger and comfortable cars arrived. Recently, reports emerged of Hindustan Motor and Peugeot working on the engine and design of a new model of the vintage brand at the Hindustan Motors Chennai facility. With a plan to launch the new model by 2024, Mid-day Online spoke to three Mumbaikars, who took us through the effort it took to get their hands on the original Ambassador. They also reacted to the news of the upcoming electric version in the works. 
Borivali-based Sanat Patil decided he wanted to buy an Ambassador after he spent time in the car on a trip to Kerala in 2009. He went on to purchase the 1970 model Mark II for Rs 22,000 the same year. Photo Courtesy: Sanat Patil
Love letters for Amby
Patil is one such lover of the Ambassador, who came back to the city from his Kerala trip with a mission to purchase the car. He immediately visited Thane, where he had earlier spotted a few dealers. The dealers were astonished by his rare demand and asked, “Do you really want an Ambassador?”, Sanat tells us. They were convinced after his affirmation. Following brief negotiations, Sanat purchased the 1970 model Mark II for Rs 22,000 the same year. Such was his love for the vintage car, the first manufactured in India, that amid his busy schedule, he kept it in the garage to restore it to factory specifications. This meant he had to source parts from all over the country, including Kolkata. He brought it out on the road a year later with happiness that was beyond measure. Now, Patil, who is an owner of two other cars, takes it out once a month for a trip outside Mumbai with friends and family. The lack of an AC in the car doesn’t make it a favourite among non-enthusiasts, the former corporate banker-turned-organic farmer says.
Buy now to read the full story.
For any queries please contact us: E-mail: support@mid-day.com
Trending Stories
Latest Photos
Latest Videos
Latest Web Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Mid-Day Fast
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT