created a concept inspired by the Ambassador version, the Ambierod. This car was not manufactured by Hindustan Motors nor was it based on the Ambassador. Several styling cues, however, have been borrowed from the Ambassador. Engines In the early 1990s, the old Austin-designed B-Series OHV straight-4 BMC 1.5L petrol engine was replaced in favour of an Isuzu 1.8 litre engine and became the fastest production car in India, beating Fiats, and the Maruti Suzuki cars at that time. The engines currently available are the 1500 DSL (1.5L 37 bhp diesel engine), 1800 ISZ (1.8 L 75 bhp MPFI petrol engine), 2000 DSZ (2.0 L 50 bhp Isuzu diesel engine) and 2000 DSZ Turbo (2.0 L 75 bhp turbocharged intercooled Isuzu diesel engine. In the late 1970s a limited batch of Mark III Ambassadors were produced with 1,760 cc engines. They were fitted with Constant Velocity SU side-draft carburettors of an earlier era instead of the more common indigenous variable velocity Solex down-draft units. The engine blocks of these cars had "1760" etched on them instead of the usual "1500". These were probably produced to handle the extra load of the piston-driven air conditioner compressors available in those days. The trim (metal beading) of these cars were a throwback to the sixties because they were chrome plated instead of aluminium. Reception The Ambassador was claimed to be the best taxi in the world by Top Gear in Episode 2 of their 20th Series. An article by Hormazd Sorabjee entitled An Epitaph for India's "Appalling" National Car appeared in a July 2014 issue of BBC Magazine. Legacy The Ambassador has attained a legendary status in India after being out of production since 2013. Landmaster and Mark 1 models are witnessing a resurgence in value and enthusiasts are restoring them to their former glory all over India. Original petrol engined cars are rare and they are the most sought after. Very few cars are still used as taxis and even less as daily drivers. Ambassador is touted as a future classic by many automobile journalists. Having produced over 900,000 during its incredible life span of over 50 years, a few thousand are still plying on Indian roads. It is arguably the most followed classic car in India. See also Automotive industry in India References External links 1960s cars 1970s cars 1980s cars 1990s cars 2000s cars 2010s cars Cars introduced in 1957 Cars