My HM Ambassador Grand (2011): Restoration


Thread Starter #17
Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
44
Likes
48
Location
Pondicherry/Singapore
December 2021 Update:

No photos to share for December:
1. Final touch of Tinkering work was done.
2. Discussion going on for which Painter to choose, both are known to our mechanic & he said can choose either one. One suggested by Tinkerer (Say "A" & another one suggested by BIL's relative (Say "B") with High recommendation and good reputation, but hesitant to touch Ambassador (Though he love to work with & done a lot of ambassadors before) , knowing it will be time consuming.
3. Got quote from both parties, A's quote is marginally lesser than B. After a lot of discussions, we dinally we decided to go with B (after convincing B ,thru recommendation), which left tinkerer abit unhappy.
4. Since we already stripped Amby to bones for tinkering, we had a thought of changing color to my choice, rather that sticking to white. In Between, I managed to check with RTO agents for changing color. They say after changing color can bring to RTO for endorsment in RC, NO problem.
5. So after discussion, lot of searching in different shades of Grey, I chose "Graphite Gray' (Any Dark Grey shade is ok for me, Though I love BLACK, but not my family for auspiciious reasons & I too know maintaining Black color is tough job).
6. Monsoon/Christmas etc. made abit delay in moving car to B's workshop.
7. Managed to buy GYPSY rims (5 Pcs) for Amby in late December, from Dhanam Auto, CBE. They are TVS make ( Delphi, I think), Dhanam Auto vouched only these are availabe for couple of years, & my mechanic confirmed that also. Before that we checked in Maruti ASS. Not available in Maruti ASS, and they require Regn number of Gypy or Bring the Vehicle to Change.
8. Nothing else regarding to Amby happened in December 2021.
IMG-20211220-WA0020.jpg

IMG-20211220-WA0022.jpg

IMG-20211220-WA0023.jpg
 

deville_56

Honoured Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,971
Likes
4,806
Location
Trivandrum
December 2021 Update:

7. Managed to buy GYPSY rims (5 Pcs) for Amby in late December, from Dhanam Auto, CBE. They are TVS make ( Delphi, I think), Dhanam Auto vouched only these are availabe for couple of years, & my mechanic confirmed that also. Before that we checked in Maruti ASS. Not available in Maruti ASS, and they require Regn number of Gypy or Bring the Vehicle to Change.

View attachment 302040
View attachment 302041
View attachment 302043
Gypsy rims are the best looking wheels for Amby. They are made by Wheels India Limited (denoted by WIL), part of TVS conglomerate.
 
Thread Starter #19
Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
44
Likes
48
Location
Pondicherry/Singapore
Gypsy rims are the best looking wheels for Amby. They are made by Wheels India Limited (denoted by WIL), part of TVS conglomerate.
Thanks for info and refreshing the memory. I read it somwhere, but totallay forgot about WIL & TVS.

IMG-20211211-WA0000 - Copy.jpg


January 2022 Update:

Above image is scope of work given by B.

Amby travelled from Tinkering shop to B's Paint shop towards end of 3rd week of December itself. But Since B is not available due to Christmas, Amby was standing inside closed workshop for more than a week, with covers.

On January 3rd 2022, when my BIL visited B's workshop with mechanic, all were shocked to see rust generated, around all doors and running board areas, within a week+. Upon further inspection, B confirmed that too much metal paste used and that too not quality ones.

Before starting tinkering work, we checked with Tinkerer & he confirmed that he always use WURTH products, for which we agreed upon. But in reality, it's not the case it seems, at-least in some areas. Though the quality of workmanship by the tinkerer is very good, but not the quality of product he used.

Since the tinkerer's is paid in full & vehicle is with us, we saw No point in creating accusation & chaos, over this and decided to move over. With some additional charges, B agreed to remove metal paste/putty to bare metal and rework. We all agreed and proceed further.

Lesson learnt in Hard way, even though my BIL used to visit tinkering workshop, atleast once in a week.
 
Last edited:
Thread Starter #24
Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
44
Likes
48
Location
Pondicherry/Singapore
As my BIL moved to Coimbatore, in June, for Work (Work From Home being slowly lifted), visits to Erode workshop became scarce.
It already made already slow restoration process Even more Slow.
Finally I got my Independence day gift, from Paint workshop, after depending mostly on mechanic & paintshop for photos.

You can see the final color inside engine bay ( last two photos).
Mechanic had a discussion with Painter to remove the Battery tray & little bit of rework & repainting done towards end August.
Engine removed for Over hauling in June & service done at mechanic side.
Progress Updates as on August 2022:

WhatsApp Image 2022-08-15 at 10.49.47.jpeg


WhatsApp Image 2022-08-15 at 11.00.02.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-08-15 at 11.00.19.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-08-15 at 11.00.42.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-08-15 at 11.36.29.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-08-15 at 11.37.02.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Thread Starter #25
Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
44
Likes
48
Location
Pondicherry/Singapore
Progress Update as on 15-09-2022:
Finally, Amby moving from Paint shop to mechanic shop for engine mounting works.
Engine work still in progress.
As per my mechanic, engine condition is good and lot of life left.
No Major spare changes, re-boring work is going on.
Let's pray everything will go well.

This clears all the backlogs in my amby updates. Will try to update frequently from now.
Below are the photos taken just before moving Amby from paint shop.

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.51.56.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.13.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.14.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.15 (1).jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.15 (2).jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.16 (1).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.16 (2).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.17 (1).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-14 at 15.52.19.jpeg
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
4
Likes
5
Location
Coimbatore - Tamilnadu
Hi Saran,

I am Ganesh from Coimbatore. Today I saw your posts about Amby detailed works from scratch. It's glad to see your efforts towards Amby restoration. Congrats and best wishes.

I too having an Amby by god's grace. It's Grand 2010 Diesel model top end. Recently i purchased it after an year of searching. Now i need to do some tinkering and full painting work for my Amby. I am in Coimbatore but could not find a best and experienced workshop for Amby. I checked with several workshops but I am not satisfied with them.

Is your Amby is in Coimbatore for restoration? Can you please share the workshop and its details or can you refer any best mechanic and workshop for me please.

Thanks in advance.

Please see my Amby pics below.

WhatsApp Image 2022-11-21 at 1.29.16 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-11-21 at 1.29.15 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2022-11-21 at 1.29.17 PM.jpeg
 

Top Bottom