Car Spotting

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Yes. An Italian company that imports cars in component form, builds them in Italy and sells as DR models.

Sounds a bit like what they did in India with their taxis; imported all the bits and pieces from the UK for the Morris Ambassador (I think it was) before they were sold the tooling, etc. later on. There were still brand new ones when I went there 20 odd years ago.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Sounds a bit like what they did in India with their taxis; imported all the bits and pieces from the UK for the Morris Ambassador (I think it was) before they were sold the tooling, etc. later on. There were still brand new ones when I went there 20 odd years ago.

Yes, sounds very similar.

The cars are a fairly common sight in the outskirts of Napoli.

"the Molise brand boasts extraordinary growth of 192.76% in 2022, selling more than 24,400 cars, compared to 8,362 units registered in 2021, with a share that rose from 0.57% to 1.86%. %."

[FIRE]

That's a lot of cars.

I assumed they import complete cars and than put different logos on them.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by FIRE

That's a lot of cars.

I assumed they import complete cars and than put different logos on them.

They started that way, but now actually assemble the cars in Italy - so technically an Italian Car Maker.

[broadrun96]

Missed catching the real Bronco earlier, and Chevy Stepside that was a beaut but definitely respray, but caught her at the light

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Missed catching the real Bronco earlier, and Chevy Stepside that was a beaut but definitely respray, but caught her at the light

What is the car next to it???

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

What is the car next to it???

That's your grandfather's Buick

[fieldodreams79]

Fire Truck! She's retired. Out of South Georgia.

[S griffin]

Still looks the business, but definitely is not for use anymore. Wonder what it's doing there?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Sounds a bit like what they did in India with their taxis; imported all the bits and pieces from the UK for the Morris Ambassador (I think it was) before they were sold the tooling, etc. later on. There were still brand new ones when I went there 20 odd years ago.

Mike, they were in production as the Hindustan Ambassador right up to 2014, when it seems emissions as well as increased alternatives signed their death knell.

As an aside PSA bought the rights to use the Ambassador name in 2017... as a 'potential' future car name. It seems a MkII / 'next-gen' Ambassador might return to India!
Edit: Might we see a '403' based Ambassador for the future

From an article earlier this year

As of now, we know that Groupe PSA owns the Ambassador nameplate. They bought it for Rs. 80 Crores back in 2017. Ever Since they bought it, there have been rumours of Peugeot bringing back or resurrecting the Ambassador nameplate. It looks like the rumours might finally be true. According to a report that was published by The Times of India last year, the joint venture of Hind Motor Financial Corporation of India or HMFCI and Peugeot have started working on the design and the engine of the Ambassador.

More info here on future plans https://www.cartoq.com/next-gen-hind...%20competition.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by E.B

Mike, they were in production as the Hindustan Ambassador right up to 2014, when it seems emissions as well as increased alternatives signed their death knell.

Wow, Chris, I didn't realise that they only stopped 9 years ago. Apart from the kamikaze drivers of said vehicles (which also seemed to apply to most Indian drivers of buses, coaches and trucks) they may have been based on a half century old design, they were quite comfortable to be driven about in.

Having said that, we hired one outside our hotel to go to the hippy market which was about an hours drive and the driver gave us a price for the journey there and back. On the way there, he acted as an unofficial travel guide, pointing out all the points of interest backed up with historical facts. He then dropped us at the entrance to the market, and went off to park up. After 3 or 4 hours, we came out and he must have been watching out for us, because we only waited for a couple of minutes.

On the way back to the hotel, he took us on a different route, and then started his guide routine until we got back to the hotel. All of this for absolute peanuts, which was more than reasonable so, feeling guilty about how little he wanted, I gave the same amount as a tip. The journey there and back was actually far more interesting and informative that the market which I am sure was nothing like it was in the days when the Beatles visited India.

Oh, and the driver was trying to emulate a racing driver, either.

[E.B]

Great story Mike.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by E.B

Great story Mike.

Thanks, Chris. Oh, and I meant that the driver was not trying to be a racing driver.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Thanks, Chris. Oh, and I meant that the driver was not trying to be a racing driver.

No, that would have been scary

[Peter Mallett]

Worth pointing out that the Hindustan Ambassador was built with the most sophisticated coilover lever arm friction dampers ever seen. No other manufacturer has managed to replicate them to date.

[S griffin]

It’s a wonder how they kept that all a secret or made sure no one else could copy it

[daneferrari]

Originally Posted by joeb

Since we are just starting it is ok to dig in to your archives. This one needs no explanation.

It's not hard to guess his daily route...lol

[daneferrari]

default car in north Italy...

[broadrun96]

So headed to the track later for historics weekend and at Publix



It's gonna be a good day Tater

And yes, yes that's my Petit camping passes from last year.

[joeb]

Not the greatest picture because i was sitting in drive-thru waiting for my fried chicken when this guy came in and expertly backed this boat into the spot. It was in immaculate condition and had plain ole fashioned steel wheels. So nice.

[rbs]

Found this in a car park at Goodwood, appproximately 12 were built pre war but were very expensive. Just A few hours later another was taking part in the race meeting. 2 in one day quite amazing.

[broadrun96]

First of many for the weekend. Interesting race entries mostly

71Triumph Vitesse, don't think I've seen one before

He was on it, full body roll and rear ready to slide free

[broadrun96]

And what's a race meeting without a Landie, with a dog in the back

[broadrun96]

Well it was a truck, at one point

And it's got a tag on the back so street car, sorry for the pole he snuck by at lunch

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

And what's a race meeting without a Landie, with a dog in the back

British plate on the front too!