HINDUSTAN MODELS
Landmaster: 1954-1957
The Oxford Series II was made available under licence to Hindustan and rebadged the Landmaster. It differed mechanically from the UK model as it still had the earlier MO side valve 1,476cc engine and some chassis components. It was only available as a saloon.
This ‘Amby’ competed in Top Gear’s taxi race. See You Tube. It won!
Kolkata taxi
A trio of Amby’s
1994 Hindustan Classic
Ambassador: 1958-2014
In 1957 the rights to manufacture the Oxford Series III saloon were given by Lord Nuffield to Hindustan. New modern assembly lines were built at Uttarpara on the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal and the body presses were shipped from the UK. The first Ambassador Mark 1 became available from late-1957 and initially retained the Landmaster engine and mechanics. In 1959 the engine was replaced with the B-series 1,489 ohv petrol engine.
In 1962 the original design of the front grille and interior was changed and updated and known as the Mark II. Over the next 13 years minor changes continued and it became the predominant Indian car. In 1975 there were further modifications to the front grille, interior, rear and sidelights and this Mark III was available in standard and deluxe versions. In 1979 the Mark IV was announced incorporating a more modern grille and sidelights and bumpers. A diesel version of the B-series was available, and most were sold as taxis. This was the last of the Mark versions and the deluxe version was known as the Nova. Over its 15-year production, few changes were made until 1990. Despite the Indian market opening up to Japanese and European imports and much more modern cars, the Ambassador remained the car of choice for many in India, but it needed to be modernised.
In 1990 there was a major investment to upgrade the mechanical components and have more powerful, efficient, and cleaner engines to counter the growing competition and meet environmental legislation. The result was the 1800ISZ Classic with a 1,817cc Isuzu engine and 5-speed gearbox. Diesel, LPG and CNG power plants were also available. The interior was modernised with bucket seats, seat belts, air conditioning, and modern fabrics. In 2003 the Grand was announced with further enhancements and engines choices of 1.5L diesel, 1.8L petrol and 2.0L diesel. Further incarnations were the Avigo and Encore, but with sales dwindling production finally ended for the Ambassador in 2014.
Other variants included a limited number of estate cars, pick-ups, and various rear body alternatives. In the 1990’s various companies tried to import cars back to the UK and they were adapted for European legislation. An opportunity was lost however with few sold due to limited marketing, poor preparation, and protection against the UK climate. Some imports were used as taxis and the BBC Top Gear programme tested it in 2103 and declared the Ambassador the world’s best taxi.
During its 60-year life, the Ambassador became the car of India. Its robust simple design provided a reliable and practical vehicle with a roomy interior and boot and good ground clearance. It was an ideal vehicle for the emerging Indian market and became the symbol of Indian motoring and economic development. It was widely used as a taxi, used by Police and Government officials as well as private ownership. After protection of the Indian car market ended, the Ambassador still survived seeing off rivals and it was gradually developed with modern interiors, disc brakes, air conditioning, 5-speed gearbox and modern, cleaner, and more efficient Isuzu engines. With the millions produced its place in motoring and Indian history should not be underestimated. When production ended in 2014 it marked the last legacy of the Morris Oxford cars of the late 1950s. Lord Nuffield would probably be delighted with the success of this Indian variant with its Morris heritage.