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If there's one car that needs vehicle recovery breakdown cover, it's India's famous Ambassador car.

Based on the British Morris Oxford, the Ambassador has been built in India since 1957, enjoying huge success. Today, however, the big car's days are seriously numbered: production has been halted.

But the passing of this iconic car – so often used as a taxi in cities like Calcutta and Mumbai – has not been lamented by many.

The Indian government strictly controlled production of all cars up until the 1990s. One aspect of this heavy control was that all parts had to be sourced from local suppliers – and those parts were not always built to the highest standards, to say the least. In addition, the waiting list for a new one could run to several years.

But as India liberalised all areas of its economy, it soon became clear that cars from overseas were far more reliable and cost effective than the Ambassador.

In practical terms, waving goodbye to this quintessentially Indian car will make life easier for taxi drivers and passengers across the Indian subcontinent. It will make its roads safer too – since the Ambassador was difficult to steer and required a stopping distance not unlike a sea tanker.

But for all its flaws, many will miss this car – with its high riding position, big windows and spacious back seat. Such comforts however, are of little use when you're parked on the side of the road with the driver peering quizzically under the bonnet!