CONTESSA’S VINTAGE VIGNETTE

Hindustan Contessa, a 2002 luxury comfort, was India’s first Muscle Car. A wildly successful trailblazer, she quickly climbed up the ladder as the status symbol for elite Indians. With successive updates in the features of the car, she survived the wave of change. This story is a retelling of her legacy.

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Hindustan Contessa, a car manufactured by Hindustan Motors (HM) till 2002, was the most eligible bachelor among Indian Vintage Cars. Contessa’s sleek style, luxury comfort, high performance, and elemental stance helped it bag the title of being India’s first own ‘Muscle Car’.

Hindustan Motors, the country’s largest manufacturer of that time, designed it based on the technology of the Vauxhall VX Series which was a wildly successful car manufacturing company in the UK, and placed it above the company’s highly acclaimed and evergreen model, Ambassador.

With the power of this new technology and the dream to create India’s first luxury sedan, HM set out to introduce Indians to a new masterpiece. So after experiencing tremendous success with their ‘Ambassador’ for almost three decades, the company saw an opportunity when Vauxhall was phasing out the VX series, which was once Britain’s most exported car. Thus, a legacy was born. This car, which looked as sophisticated as an English gentleman of the elite class, was introduced at a price of ₹83,437 and an initial booking amount of ₹15,000. It sure did empty the pockets of the customers but not without a sense of satisfaction for it was money well spent.

After independence, when India had just begun standing back up on its own feet and establishing an autonomous identity in the world, power became alluring to the citizens and Contessa became a status symbol for the riches of the rich. She had a large crumple zone, a side impact protection body, and an elegant black grille in the front. With her 1.5-liter BMC B-series engine, she could produce 50hp of power. The engine came mated to a four-speed manual gearbox and could reach up to 125kmph.

Additionally, by the 1980s, Hindustan Motors tied up with Isuzu and started to manufacture the 1.8-liter 4ZB1 petrol engine which was gifted to Contessa too. With a more powerful mill, the brute hit a top speed of 160kmph. It became an instant success due to its refinement and power and began to be considered one of the best cars in India. Then by the 1990s, Hindustan Motors upgraded and started to manufacture the 2.0-liter Isuzu 4FC1 diesel engine for which Contessa was seen worthy. The diesel variant also became a huge success.

This magnificent beauty provided a more modern, and elegant upgrade to the ambassador which had been ruling the roads for decades. It was as if Hindustan Motors surpassed its benchmark. Its glamour instituted a cult whose hearts still beat for Contessa’s straight lines and long hood. It wasn’t just a sight for sore eyes, but provided a comfortable environment for the passengers, transporting them to a magical world of its own. Even after years of its continuance, it was ensured that she did not lose her charm.

Persistent successive luxury features like fuel injection, power windows, power steering, upgraded headlights, air conditioning, and so on were introduced in phases offering something innovative and keeping it avant-garde for the premium customers. Contessa was a people's favourite. As Bollywood celebrities and politicians showed up in her entire magnificent glory, she became a status symbol.

With all its features and appearance, the car became an instant success among Indians. While the mark it created has stood the test of time, she could not bear the entry of various other brands like Ford, Fiat, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and so on. The stiff challenges such brands posed along with other global competitors and the growing inflation led to Contessa’s eventual downfall. It stopped production and shut down its centres, leaving its fan base deeply saddened.

Today, various editions of the vintage Hindustan Contessa are resold by earlier consumers on various online platforms like cardekho.com, Olx.in, etc. for almost ₹ 4.84 - 5.42 Lakhs. However, a breath of fresh air came for Vintage Car enthusiasts when Hindustan Motors announced its brand transfer agreement with SG Corporate Mobility Pvt. Ltd on June 16, 2022, for the transfer of the Contessa brand. Contessa was way ahead of her time, and It brought HM’s vision to life. So, there is hope, and a reinvented Contessa may just see the light of day.