Home Part 2: The Last 100 years 8: Car Manufacturers by Country 8.9 India 8.9.1. Hindustan Motors History of Hindustan Motors Motor Cars / Automobiles   8.9.1.  Hindustan Motors   The company was formed in 1942 by Mr B M Birla but production of the first car, the Hindustan 10 which was based on the British Morris 10, did not start until 1949. How many were made and until when? This was followed in 1950 by the “Baby Hindustan”, a car based on the Morris Minor, and the Hindustan 14 which was based on the Morris 14. How many of each were made and until when? Production of the Landmaster, a car based on the Morris Oxford, started in 1954. Was it based on the Oxford MO model? Could the Landmaster have been produced prior to 1949? In 1957 a tool line of the Series 3 Morris Oxford was transferred to India and production of the Ambassador car started in 1958. Models produced include the Mark 1 to 1V range, Nova, 1800 1SZ and the Avigo.  From 1958 to 1993 the Ambassador (“Amby”) was fitted with a 1,489 cc engine. In 1993, as a result of emission regulations, a 1,800 cc Isuzu engine was fitted to the 1800 1SZ model.   In 1978 a diesel engined version became available. By 2004 nearly four million Ambassador cars had been sold. The car was still being produced in 2008. Between 1982 and 2002 the company produced the Contessa, a car based on the British Vauxhall Victor VX FE Series.  1,817 cc 88 hp petrol and 2 litre diesel engined versions were produced.   [ Back ]