FOUR WHEELS OF INDULGENCE

It’s sad to think that the next generation of petrolheads may not get to admire the beauty of some Indian automobiles of yesteryear.

- Abhinav Jakhar

Take, for example, the Hindustan Contessa. When it came along in the mid-80s, cars looked like they belonged to the 1950s. There was, however, one exception to that rule - the Maruti 800. Regardless, the Contessa was aimed at the elite, who wanted the car as a status symbol. Young Indians who had money to spend went out and splurged on a Hindustan Contessa, a true symbol of class and luxury, at the time. Once it was launched, it competed with the Rover SD1-based Standard 2000 and Fiat 118NE.

A Little Bit of History