Hindustan Ambassador Car: Here's Why It Was Called King of Indian Roads

The Indian auto industry has witnessed a massive transformation over the past few years. From CNG to hybrid to electric, the sector has undoubtedly gained a lot of popularity and has become bigger with each passing day. Amid the drastic change, few creations never lose their charm, and always sit on top, and the iconic Ambassador car is one of them. Nostalgia kicks in right?

The four-wheeler has not only ruled the Indian market over the decades but somehow taught the meaning of luxury to all enthusiasts back then. The car used to be the symbol of the elite class in the 90s, all thanks to its royal design, boxy appearance and impressive style statement. In this, article, we have highlighted the Ambassador’s history, legacy, power, and its impact on the masses.

History of Ambassador Car

The tech-loaded back-then humble Ambassador was introduced in the country in 1948. The model was based on the the Morris Oxford series III model, which was developed by one of the top players Morris Motors Limited at Cowley, Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Despite sharing roots with the British, the model was somehow considered an Indian, and used to be called ‘King of Indian Roads’. Later, all the rights and the trademark were purchased by Hindustan Motors, and the automobile began manufacturing the vehicle at the company’s West Bengal plant Uttarpara, near Kolkata.

Popularity in India

As time passed by, the car started gaining a lot of popularity, and the sales started touching the sky. The sedan used to be the top choice by most of the celebrities, politicians and top leaders in the 90s. Undoubtedly, the Ambassador’s wave was pretty noticeable during the period.

Price, Engine and Power

The luxury sedan was priced between Rs 4.21 to 6.40 lakh, and was available in more than 24 variants. It was powered by the trusted 1.5-diesel engine, which is used to generate a maximum power of 35 bhp. Later, the company introduced the car in multiple powertrains, allowing the customers to have a wider choice in the powertrain. However, the manual transmission remained constant.

Over the years, the sedan has been through some impressive makeover. However, the company always retained its impressive boxy design, massive grilles at the front, and perfect cuts and creases on the bonnet to offer the same vibe.

End of Production

When technology started taking over, top manufacturers began introducing tech-loaded vehicles, Ambassador’s started losing its charm as customers began shifting towards more advanced cars.

When the bad time kicks in, it forces the car to go through production issues, resulting in decreasing sales figures. The company then decided to put a full stop to the production in 2024.

Despite being discontinued from India, the car is still owned by a few enthusiasts who perfectly restored them in their vintage collection.