HM Contessa | Hindustan’s very own Desi Muscle Car

When it comes to talking about cars, one of my favourite types of cars is the muscle ones. The brute force, the elemental stance and the luxury comfort, all at one place. Carmakers like Ferrari, Ford and many more are known for building muscle cars around the world. Amongst these brands is Hindustan Motors. India’s very own brand, known for the Ambassador is also known for India’s indigenous muscle car, the Contessa. HM Contessa was India’s first luxury sedan based on the Vauxhall VX series.

But what was the need for a muscle car?

The world was changing. People were becoming more and more attracted to power. So were the Indians. Ambassador was ruling the roads from the past three decades. But HM wanted to introduce a more modern car.

1982 – The HM Contessa Takes Shape

The company was able to acquire the technology of the Vauxhall VX series, which was very successful in the UK at that time. A production line was set up in Uttarpara near Kolkata, alongside the lines of HM Ambassador. By 1982, the first test Contessa cars were ready. In 1984, HM introduced Contessa to the Indians.

HM Contessa became a hit amongst the Indians as soon as it launched. The ultra-luxury interiors were love at first sight. It came equipped with power steering, air conditioners, central locking system, central armrest and much more at the time when all of this was luxury in India.

Talking about the exterior, the only words that can describe it the best are sophisticated and invasive. Launched at a time when muscle cars were still a myth in India, Contessa made it evident that the land is capable of a lot more. The large crumple zone made it a safe car. It also had a side impact protection body. One of the most prominent features at the front was the black muscular grille.

But, HM Contessa would have cost a lot!

With all the list of features, both at the exterior as well as interior, the car would have emptied the pockets of buyers. So to keep the cost in check, the company equipped it with a 1.5-litre BMC B-series engine which could produce 50hp of power, the same that powered the Ambassador. The engine came mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. HM Contessa could reach up to 125kmph. The price it was introduced with was ₹83,437 with an initial booking amount of ₹15,000.

Contessa demands more power!

Hindustan Motors and Isuzu had a tie-up by the late eighties. The Indian marvel started to manufacture the 1.8-litre 4ZB1 petrol engine which was equipped in the Contessa too. The car came with a ‘Classic 1.8GL’ badging at the rear. With the more powerful mill, the brute was able to touch the 160kmph speed. It became an instant success due to the refinement and power.

Then by the 1990s, HM started to manufacture the 2.0-litre Isuzu 4FC1 diesel engine and the engine was given to the Contessa too. The diesel variant also became a huge success.

The Downfall!

With more and more companies like Ford, GM, Fiat and others entering with their luxuries, Contessa’s downfall began. Petrol prices were also rising constantly. All this led to the discontinuation of India’s first muscle car in 2002. The enthusiasts can still be found with their modified Contessas roaring down the street.

Have a look: 8 HM (Hindustan Motors) Cars In India That Are Now Long Forgotten

About Hindustan Motors

The company that started it all! HM is credited with laying the foundation of the Indian automobile industry. It is the company which has the longest in-production car, the HM Ambassador. The company ran a successful 60 years of run in India with its cars. HM has a cult following in India which can still be felt around. If the company decided to launch the cars again, the public will go mad. The cars will sell like hot cakes for sure. It was India’s largest car manufacturer before the Maruti Udyog came in. With cars like Ambassador and Contessa in its arena, HM was surely way ahead of its time.