Comments on: All Hail the Amby

By: DEVASHIS PANDA

DEVASHIS PANDA — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:03:12 +0000

I still maintain an Ambassador of 1976 vintage besides a Maruti 800 and an Indigo SX.I have dieselised it and remodelled the front end into the Mark 4 shape and airconditioned it.The car runs fabulously well and is extremely comfortable.I like it except for the fact that the body panels are prone to rusting early.HM should have seriously considered remodelling the vehicle with DC designs assistance.

By: Salil Maniktahla

Salil Maniktahla — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:14:20 +0000

Peripherally, since it came up, and since I'm a motorcycle nut...there are several companies that offer motorcycle tours in and around India / Nepal / Tibet.

Bike of choice? What else? The Enfield Bullet, of course.

I'm trying to figure out whether I'm terrified or excited to try it myself. Motorcyclist magazine had a writeup a few months back about an enduro in India on Enfield Bullets, and it was fairly comical. Here's Time's writeup of the same event.

By: Curmudgeon

Curmudgeon — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:02:58 +0000

God, the ambi mama post was hilarious! My dad and his younger brother were periambi and chinnambi, and I also have a Mani mama on my mother’s side! Hurray!

By: Rahul

Rahul — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:02:59 +0000

'Thappal' has one participant (normally male) as an active participant while the other participant (normally female) is a passive

It is called sex in a marriage.

By: melbourne desi

melbourne desi — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:58:30 +0000

Cliff: Thanks. I dont think any of those words fit. I think 'Making out' and 'Dry Hump' indicate an active involvement of the participants. Groping has a negative connotation as one participant actively discourages the activity. 'Thappal' has one participant (normally male) as an active participant while the other participant (normally female) is a passive but encouraging participant. I don't know of an equivalent word - could the native speakers please help out?

Louie cypher - Excellent point about network effects.

Comparing the Amby with the Trabant seems rather unfair.

Floridian - You are right about the power / money equation with regard to cars. Most politicians would not use a new car (Camry / Accord/ Skoda) when they have access to an Amby. It is not just cost. Wonder why?

By: Quizman

Quizman — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:41:30 +0000

Another auto product is the Enfield Bullet and its companion Jawa. Jawa is extinct while the Enfield survives by targetting the military and overseas market.

Yes, in fact the vehicle's ad jingle was the national anthem for the proposed Khalistani state during the 1980s. [At least that's how the popular joke went.]

By: MsCutePants

MsCutePants — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:22:42 +0000

Oh! those Ambassador cars sure do bring back good memories. My grandfather had two, as taxi cabs. And they were so comfortable to ride in. In fact they still are, according to my last trip to Bombay in 2005.

By: Rahul

Rahul — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:15:38 +0000

The Amitabh-Dharam song with that car can be seen here

Another auto product is the Enfield Bullet and its companion Jawa. Jawa is extinct while the Enfield survives by targetting the military and overseas market.

Speaking of Enfield and Amitabh-Dharam pairings, here is the mother of all sidecar songs.

By: Rahul

Rahul — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:11:25 +0000

No von mises #25 and #26, that was hilarious.

the Amby is an abacus to your saffron balls... god, i'm drowning in my own excitement... have you seen this car naked... now, if only India had proper tools...

I believe that in the interests of decency, you and Amby should get a room already.

By: Rahul

Rahul — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:08:17 +0000

You are invited, Eliot-boy. Two nights at Casa Floridian in Gurgaon, free airport transfer, a welcome drink and three meals a day in our newly decorated Auntie's Cafe and Lounge. (Air fare not included.)

Oh Floridian, you kid believing you are safe in the relative anonymity of the Internet, but believe me, if I was in the area at that time, even before the taking of a toast and tea, there will be not one indecision or revision, let alone a hundred. You could have counted on my enthusiastic dancing (not insipid like this!) at your re-baaraat. Happy 35th!