Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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If you’ve been to India, you’ll notice thousands of Maruti Suzuki’s zipping hither and thither, Ubering people across town in air-conditioned comfort for less than the price of a mango lassi. But look outside and you’ll notice the occasional 1950s Morris Oxford and wonder, how did that get here? The Hindustan Ambassador, as the Morris Oxford is known there, is a story of Indian four-wheeled mobility in the 20th century, a car that was still being manufactured 14 years into the 21st century! Just why it last so long when there were better cars available is a fascinating story, and it may not be over yet.

Thanks to Banpei for suggesting the Peugeot 206 advert. Check out his YouTube automotive channel here: youtube.com/c/BanpeiNet-gp

Optional Extra video: youtu.be/wDDRi3NKmyQ

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Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Motors
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Oxford
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan_Ambassador
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Ten
livehistoryindia.com/story/eras/the-ambassador-car
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Deluxe
driving.co.uk/news/driving-takes-a-final-ride-in-the-hindustan-ambassador
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_Padmini
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Herald
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruti_Suzuki
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruti_800
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan_Contessa
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_V_platform
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMC_B-series_engine
web.archive.org/web/20080222061700/http:/www.hmambassador.com/good.asp
independent.co.uk/life-style/what-on-earth-has-the-hindustan-motor-corporation-s-r-d-department-been-doing-for-the-last-25-years-1319446.html
aronline.co.uk/cars/hindustan-motors/the-cars-hindustan-ambassador
hindmotor.com/GrandLaunched.asp#
hindmotor.com/nicheproduct.asp#
hindmotor.com/retroamby.asp#
driving.co.uk/news/driving-takes-a-final-ride-in-the-hindustan-ambassador
gomechanic.in/blog/hindustan-avigo-the-lesser-known-ambassador
gomechanic.in/blog/barn-find-cars-india-part-2
overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/exclusive-ambassador-to-return-heres-what-citroens-revival-of-the-icon-may-look-like
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_India

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