Aug 28, 2007 01:05 PM
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(Updated Jan 21, 2011 12:35 AM)
I am reviewing the original Ambassador as it first came out not the sorry variants of today.The first Ambassador, what you could call the Mark1 was a newer version of the Morris of England and had the same side valve engine as its older version the Landmaster of HM.A few years later the newer overhead valve engines were introduce, a real mechanical wonder in those days.
The first ones with this new engine had a OHV logo on the sides of the front mudguards.They also had two extra body trims running on both sides.They had dual colour bodies.The exterior:The metal trims(beadings) were chrome plated brass.The grille, bumpers, door handles, Fuel cap, bonnet motif , hub caps and boot handle too were of the same.The finish was superb since the imperfections in the body dies had yet to develop.
Tyres were with white side walls.There were old type turn indicators on the door posts.These were in recesses in the door post and when you moved the turn indicator switch, a bulb illuminated arm would swing up horizontally to indicate the turn.If you happen to remove the rexine on the inside of door post of a present day Amby, you will probably see the still existing recesses for these indicator arms.
The head lights were from Lucas of England. The park light covers were of Glass not the plastics of today.Things that are there no more:The engine block had "Morris 1500 " instead of "HM 1500".The carb was a Birmingham made SU constant velocity side draft unlike the later Indian Solex down draft.Very easy to adjust or modify to your syle of driving whether for mileage or pulling or power.
The electric SU fuel pump was mounted in the luggage boot, the later Indian mechanical cam driven fuel pump was fitted on the engine.When you switch on the ignition you could hear initial faint clicks from the pump which would stop when the fuel line and carb was fully primed, .After you start up, only the intermittent clicks as consumed fuel was replaced.
The engine's mechanical sound became more pronounced when the mechanical pumps replaced the electric pumps.If you ever ran out of fuel and then refilled the tank, you just had to wait till the clicks stopped your fuel lines and carb were fully primed again.One pull on the starter and the engine would start, unlike the mechanical pump which required more cranking of the engine.
There was no soleniod switch for the starter.You just pull the starter knob on the dash.The key start and starter solenoid were later additions of the late 60s.The instrument cluster was simply 2 big circles with one small circle in the centreThe one on the right was the speedometer with (surprises of surprises) a twin odometer one of which could be reset to 0 with a small know below the dashboard.Unique in those days which was added recently to modern Indian cars and passed off an innovation of modern technology by Maruti and others.
The speedo dial had tiny jewl like lights as indicator lights for ignition, turn indicator and main beam (red, orange and blue respectively)The small circle in the centre had a fully mechanical electric clock which was very accurate.Remember, quartz movements had not yet been developed then.
The big circle on the left was divided into four. One had the fuel gauge, the next the oil pressure gauge and the third the ampere gauge. The fourth had a jewl light(green) as the Lights indicator.The instrument lights had another unique control, which even by todays standards is missing on most cars.One of the knobs on the dash controlled the intensity of the panel lights. You could make them brighter or dimmer or even switch them off.This was achieved by the use of a miniature rheostat.
The instruments including the clock were from Smiths of England.The speed readings were not in kmph but in mph. Maximum was 90mph (if I remember correctly)The switches were very simple.In the centre you had the ignition switch with a outer concentic ring on it.Put in the key and turn it on, ignition was on.
Pull the extreme right spring loaded knob and you activate the starter.Turn the outer ring of the ignition switch to its first click the park lights came on.Turn it to the next click and the headlights came on.Adjust the panel lights with the knob on the left of the starter knob.If the engine was too cold pull out the extreme left knob.And if it was raining, the one next to it to put on your wipers.
Headlight dim and bright was controlled with a foot operated switch next to the clutch pedal.And turn Indicator with a switch in the centre of the steering wheel.Sorry I am reaching the word limit. Part Two LaterJan 20 2011. I just recalled this, in the late 70s a limited number of Mark IIIs were released with 1700cc engines with SU Carburetors instead of the locally made Solex. The metal trim instead of the aluminum ones, were chromed like the earlY Mk I and Mk II . I was fortunate to drive one of these a long time ago.
