back in the days of my childhood when the definition of a car was a
lot of metal , a cabin large enough to play football in and a big obsolete
engine that refused to start on a winter morning. Cars that featured
these were the "Fiat Premier Padmini" and the "HM Ambassador".
I remember the Fiat that my uncle owned and the struggle we had starting it while going on outdoors and due to their financially demanding nature not everyone could afford them.
On weekends, i would spend most of my time in the Fiat on the steering wheel virtually racing against all those odd racers who were keen to destroy my car with their missiles and lasers.mom had to pursuade me out of it for a bath or for a breakfast . back again mom was compelled to get me my lunch in the car itself and at times i often received ocassional pampering on my cheeks which marked her hand on my skin.
Think of that time, and you'll remember Ambys and Fiats looked flabby and round . it seemed that they possesed some extra fat on it's curves than they really need to impress. On the other hand, 800 flaunted the streets with it's beautiful edges and perfectly crafted bodylines.
It was an unsual evening when dad brought the 800 to the home and parked it outside the premises . there were clouds scattered all over the sky , the sun was about to set and everything else seems to be painted in acrylic. i was still dreaming about it when a loud noise broke my dream and i saw mom struggling to wake me up.To my surprise there was this beautiful lady standing in front of me as i walked through the door . enthralled by its edges and distinctive looks, this snow white was a sheer beauty.
Days went on and i began to fall in love with this car.i remember every morning before leaving for office dad used to take me for a ride in neighbourhood in his 800 , and my weekend races against all those phantom racers was shifted in 800 from the old Fiat.
Before the introduction of 800 , this car had to go through a lot of criticism and abhorrence.this car was a shocking contrast to our defintion of cars and back in the city where Fiats and Ambys were the only vehicles seemed on road people exposed to these two fat ladies would find it difficult to handle 800.
the 796cc inline 4-cylinder engine was enough to out-accelerate any Fiat or Amby. As a result , 800 accidents beacme a common sight . wrecked cars could be found everyday in the garage behind my home and people raised it to the "Hall of Shame". at times it was often referred to as " Maa-Rotti Hai".
Later a few sceptical buys and exceptionally happy customers ,almost everyone could afford to this. also it was easier to maintain ,easy to buy and decent fuel economy adds credit to it. personally i believe this car marked the beginning of era for hatchbacks in India.
Time rolled and 800 went numerous body and engine upgrades to meet the demands.
As soon as Maruti launched it's "Alto" in 2000 , dad switched to it and my 800 became a spectator of the new kid in the house and change. i could feel it's heart weeping under that hood and i began to spend more time with it .
Standing in a isolated corner of the house premises she used to watch the same spot which was once occupied by her and where she posed in great attitude and pride , but now her postion was snatched and handled over to the Alto and she was left with nothing else other than to envy her and watch her rolling out everyday .
During my class 12th my heart began to fondle again for her and by now i was determined to restore it's pride and position back in my house. i was lucky enough to get my friend Anshul's support who helped me a lot to understand the pros and cons , stats and performance upgrades . a few bucks spent from my pocket money and a bit contribution from my parents helped me to heal the pain and wounds she went through.
First time i switched on the engine and and we went crazy hearing the loud noise . "HALLEJUAH !!!!!!"....The car is alive. their was happiness all around . the world seemed to b a better place to live.
since then i am driving the car around the city with great pride and enthusiasm with my friends.my dad is now planning to buy his 3rd car and may be he would now switch to a sedan from a regular hatchback.
Although 800 is agening now with time ity still retains it's old charm and smell which makes me to drive her whenever i am near her.
Officially Maruti has discontiuned the production of 800 as a result of new emission norms let's hope Maruti resurrects the 800 sometime in near future as a new classic . it sold over 2700000 units averaging over 100000 per year.
800 is retired now and the sales are declined in almost all the major cities in the country .it has became a gloroius tale in the automobile industry
"ABSENCE WILL ONLY MAKE HEART GROW FONDER "
Love you...800 ..!!!
I remember the Fiat that my uncle owned and the struggle we had starting it while going on outdoors and due to their financially demanding nature not everyone could afford them.
On weekends, i would spend most of my time in the Fiat on the steering wheel virtually racing against all those odd racers who were keen to destroy my car with their missiles and lasers.mom had to pursuade me out of it for a bath or for a breakfast . back again mom was compelled to get me my lunch in the car itself and at times i often received ocassional pampering on my cheeks which marked her hand on my skin.
Think of that time, and you'll remember Ambys and Fiats looked flabby and round . it seemed that they possesed some extra fat on it's curves than they really need to impress. On the other hand, 800 flaunted the streets with it's beautiful edges and perfectly crafted bodylines.
It was an unsual evening when dad brought the 800 to the home and parked it outside the premises . there were clouds scattered all over the sky , the sun was about to set and everything else seems to be painted in acrylic. i was still dreaming about it when a loud noise broke my dream and i saw mom struggling to wake me up.To my surprise there was this beautiful lady standing in front of me as i walked through the door . enthralled by its edges and distinctive looks, this snow white was a sheer beauty.
Days went on and i began to fall in love with this car.i remember every morning before leaving for office dad used to take me for a ride in neighbourhood in his 800 , and my weekend races against all those phantom racers was shifted in 800 from the old Fiat.
Before the introduction of 800 , this car had to go through a lot of criticism and abhorrence.this car was a shocking contrast to our defintion of cars and back in the city where Fiats and Ambys were the only vehicles seemed on road people exposed to these two fat ladies would find it difficult to handle 800.
the 796cc inline 4-cylinder engine was enough to out-accelerate any Fiat or Amby. As a result , 800 accidents beacme a common sight . wrecked cars could be found everyday in the garage behind my home and people raised it to the "Hall of Shame". at times it was often referred to as " Maa-Rotti Hai".
Later a few sceptical buys and exceptionally happy customers ,almost everyone could afford to this. also it was easier to maintain ,easy to buy and decent fuel economy adds credit to it. personally i believe this car marked the beginning of era for hatchbacks in India.
Time rolled and 800 went numerous body and engine upgrades to meet the demands.
As soon as Maruti launched it's "Alto" in 2000 , dad switched to it and my 800 became a spectator of the new kid in the house and change. i could feel it's heart weeping under that hood and i began to spend more time with it .
Standing in a isolated corner of the house premises she used to watch the same spot which was once occupied by her and where she posed in great attitude and pride , but now her postion was snatched and handled over to the Alto and she was left with nothing else other than to envy her and watch her rolling out everyday .
During my class 12th my heart began to fondle again for her and by now i was determined to restore it's pride and position back in my house. i was lucky enough to get my friend Anshul's support who helped me a lot to understand the pros and cons , stats and performance upgrades . a few bucks spent from my pocket money and a bit contribution from my parents helped me to heal the pain and wounds she went through.
First time i switched on the engine and and we went crazy hearing the loud noise . "HALLEJUAH !!!!!!"....The car is alive. their was happiness all around . the world seemed to b a better place to live.
since then i am driving the car around the city with great pride and enthusiasm with my friends.my dad is now planning to buy his 3rd car and may be he would now switch to a sedan from a regular hatchback.
Although 800 is agening now with time ity still retains it's old charm and smell which makes me to drive her whenever i am near her.
Officially Maruti has discontiuned the production of 800 as a result of new emission norms let's hope Maruti resurrects the 800 sometime in near future as a new classic . it sold over 2700000 units averaging over 100000 per year.
800 is retired now and the sales are declined in almost all the major cities in the country .it has became a gloroius tale in the automobile industry
"ABSENCE WILL ONLY MAKE HEART GROW FONDER "
Love you...800 ..!!!
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