Spotted in India: Hindustan Contessa

"Tapas" (tapas) 01/10/2018 at 04:40 • Filed to: None

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The Contessa was one of the first and very few cars sold in India. It was based on the Vauxhaul VX series and made anywhere from 49hp to up to 90hp in later models.

In 1983, it cost 83,437 rupees (roughly $1,200). So naturally, it was popular among rich people and government officials.

Back then, a four figure monthly salary was something to brag about. Engineers started off at around 600-700 rupees a month.

So for this to be bought in the 80's, in orange nonetheless, is ostentatious.

(I tried but was unable to find out whether the color was a factory option or a respray.)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Tapas 01/10/2018 at 05:08

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nice find.

many Tata Nanos running around?

Tapas > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/10/2018 at 06:06

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There are a couple.

It is not popular here, but not rare either.

Cé hé sin > Tapas 01/10/2018 at 07:01

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Seems to have lasted rather better than your average Victor/VX!

Dark chocolate > Tapas 01/10/2018 at 08:10

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True Story:

In 1987, my dad’s boss was kidnapped on his way back home from work.

The kidnappers proceeded to take him to some place rural away from the capital (Delhi). Once over there they made him cal his family for money. Turns out he / they barely had any.

These guys were pissed. They found out he was just a lowly manager. And they made some assumptions based on the Contessa. They actually remarked something along : “What are you doing in a Contessa”?

Once they found out who he worked for (higher political connections) they let him and the Contessa go!

PS: The owner of the facility my dad worked for, had a 560 SEL (plates read DIL 1) and a 420 SEL (plates read DIL 2) . I have the owners manual for the 560 SEL.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Tapas 01/10/2018 at 10:47

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Old Indian cars are interesting to me. My favourite definitely has to be the Rover SD1-based Standard 2000. Because why not put an engine from the late fourties into a car designed by the West Midlands’ greatest minds.

What could possibly go wrong?

Tapas > Dark chocolate 01/10/2018 at 11:10

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Whoa that’s crazy!

I’m glad he got out of it alright.

Tapas > not for canada - australian in disguise 01/10/2018 at 11:10

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Oh you know, just that no one would buy it.

Not that a lot of people could afford to anyway.

Ilike_cougars > Tapas 01/10/2018 at 12:18

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Its definitely is re-paint, Hindustan never had such bright colours. We used to own a 1980s Mark 4 Amby in kind of a faded cherry red.

Tapas > Ilike_cougars 01/10/2018 at 13:04

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Thanks for the info!

From the looks of it, the respray must have been done a while back.