An end of an era for in Indian automotive industry with Hindustan Ambassador (My respect for Amby can only be shown in bold lettering) finally being relegated to history. The Amby will no longer roll out of depreciated production lines in Uttarpara and Gurgaon respectively. But the eternal question remains, has it left a void? Apart from few people bursting of emotions we think it existed far too long to be missed.
Often fondly referred as "The Grand Old Lady Of Indian Roads", Amby in the later part of its presence was only sold for its legacies and chequered history rather than its outdated styling, old technical artillery and safety standards reminiscent of Ford Model T. Based on Morris Oxford III in Britain, Amby was put into production in 1958 and was continued till May-2014, has only been re-tweaked with grille, parking lamps and taillight lenses. A major re-modelling was rumoured much like Royal Enfield, Fiat 500, VW Beetle but with the announcement of suspension of production, all those rumours bit the dust.
I am a bong, born and brought up in Mumbai, so I was always biased of the cultures of Mumbai against the culture of my native place Kolkata, preferring good ol' wada pav over rasgullas! But I was always envious of one thing or rather trend that Kolkata had and Mumbai didn't, and that's the yellow Amby taxis. Mumbai's black and yellow PAL premier were always cramped of space, difficult to get in and almost made even a normal person claustrophobic, but come to Kolkata and these yellow Ambys were a joy to ride. The sofa like seats on back side making ease of entry for sari clad women, a build quality reminiscent of Russian T-50 tank, going through the potholes it would jutter up the bones of the passenger but its body and chassis would emerge without even a scratch.
Having seen people treating the Amby as a status symbol and later as a family member and I have also seen being no less than a God, with taxi drivers offering food and sweets to their Amby before taking a morsel of food for themselves, Amby is no less than a heritage, a culture to be cherished in the coming times, but with outdated artillery and diminishing demands, Hindustan Motors should rest this Grand Old Lady to peace.
I have wrote this article as my tribute to Amby rather than a report of it, so send in your comments, any suggestions, advice is welcome.
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| One of the early ads of Amby Source: Team-BHP |
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| Yellow Amby Ferrying Passengers |
I am a bong, born and brought up in Mumbai, so I was always biased of the cultures of Mumbai against the culture of my native place Kolkata, preferring good ol' wada pav over rasgullas! But I was always envious of one thing or rather trend that Kolkata had and Mumbai didn't, and that's the yellow Amby taxis. Mumbai's black and yellow PAL premier were always cramped of space, difficult to get in and almost made even a normal person claustrophobic, but come to Kolkata and these yellow Ambys were a joy to ride. The sofa like seats on back side making ease of entry for sari clad women, a build quality reminiscent of Russian T-50 tank, going through the potholes it would jutter up the bones of the passenger but its body and chassis would emerge without even a scratch.
Having seen people treating the Amby as a status symbol and later as a family member and I have also seen being no less than a God, with taxi drivers offering food and sweets to their Amby before taking a morsel of food for themselves, Amby is no less than a heritage, a culture to be cherished in the coming times, but with outdated artillery and diminishing demands, Hindustan Motors should rest this Grand Old Lady to peace.
I have wrote this article as my tribute to Amby rather than a report of it, so send in your comments, any suggestions, advice is welcome.
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