HINDUSTAN CONTESSA

1978 was far from the end of the Victor story as the rights were acquired by Hindustan Motors. Contessa production commenced in 1984 but under the Transcontinental bonnet was the B-series engine and four-speed gearbox from the venerable Ambassador. ‘Sheer poetry in motion’ claimed the adverts but although your new Contessa may have looked ‘like a dream’ the top speed was less than impressive 75 mph. The price placed it firmly in the government minister/ high commissioner/ business executive market sector where virtually its only rival was the commercially disastrous Standard 2000 SD1. By late 1988 the BMC running gear was finally replaced by an Isuzu 1.8-litre engine and the facelifted Contessa Classic 1.8GL was also fitted with a five-speed gearbox. Eight years later a 2-litre diesel powered version was introduced and there was even a turbo diesel option. The sales copy practically ordered the prospective owner to ‘slide into the driver’s seat and surrender to your senses’ The later Contessas were fitted with PAS, air-conditioning and electric windows but by the late Nineties, Hindustan was now facing increased competition in a liberalised Indian car market. The final Contessa was made in 2002 and today, there is thriving following for the Hindustan, with many being popular for customisation. And, as The Hindustan

Times noted, the Contessa was ‘the first choice of Bollywood golden era heroes and villains alike’.