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.