MARUTI 800 - 25 years of prople's car in INDIA

Maruti 800 the people's car is been on the Indian Road for 25 years now which was launched in the year 1983 (December)

During early 1980's  the Ambassador and the Premier Padmini ruled the raod of India, not many gave the 800 a chance. Yet, in just two years, it became India’s largest selling car. By becoming a middle-class necessity and putting more women behind the wheel than any other car in India, the 800 redefined the concept and class of mobility.

Mr.Harpal Singh was the first proud owner of Maruti 800, he proudly received the keys of the Maruti 800 car from the Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on December 14, 1983.

Everybody wanted Maruti 800 when bookings were announced. And the fortunate ones who were allotted the first cars, in December 1983, for all of Rs 57,000 had buyers lined up offering Rs 82,000 more if you were allotted a red car.

The car came with a couple of firsts for any Indian car. Included as standard equipment were reclining buckets seats very useful on a date with headrests, a floor-shift gear lever and ergonomic switches that could be operated without taking your hands off the steering wheel. Another first was that the 800 featured disc brakes on the front wheels. And with the right hand side rear view mirror also thrown in as standard issue, it seemed like sheer indulgence. Added to that was a handbrake that actually worked. In the early eighties, you could feel the eyeballs on you when you drove around in an 800.

Maruti 800 turns 25 years nows and it is still winning hearts with most of Indian prefer Maruti 800 as their first car..

The 800 has undergone some minor face lifts but overall it still remains the same as it was in 1983.

How do you feel about Maruti turning 25years in INDIA ?

Please share your thoughts about Maruti 800.