4 Indian cars modified into exotics

Snapshot – Indian cars that passersby won’t give a second glance can actually look extremely bewitching if they get transformed into exotic automobiles. In fact, there are many Indian cars that actually fit the mould of being transformed into an exotic quite easily. CarToq takes a look at four such Indian cars that lend themselves quite well to modification into exotics.

Hindustan Contessa to Chevrolet Camaro

The quintessential luxury car of the 90s that signified its owner having arrived in life, the Hindustan Contessa isn’t produced anymore. Yet, the car’s fastback design from its Vauxhall Victor origins means that the Contessa has come to be a cult car among enthusiasts in India. Big Daddy Customs took a Hindustan Contessa, retained the basic shape of the car, and managed to add enough differentiation for the car to emerge out as a Chevrolet Camaro.

Here is the full list of changes effected on the ’93 Contessa for the Camaro conversion:

• Horizontal spokes front grille
• Electric shuttered headlamps
• Double barrel air dam on hood 
• Air vents on fenders
• Vintage wing mirrors
• Boot spoiler
• Led tail lamps and bezel garnish
• Vintage rear bumper
• Wider tyres on matt black steel rims and nickel wheel caps
• Matt black interiors
• Free flow exhaust system

Mahindra Bolero to Mercedes Benz G-Wagen

If the Mahindra Bolero featured round headlamps instead of the rectangular/flared units, the SUV won’t look too different from the industrial looking Mercedes Benz G-Class off roader. The folks at R&T Auto Catalyst, a car modifying unit based out of Kotayyam, Kerala, have come up with the Mercedes Benz G-Wagen based on the Mahindra Bolero MUV. Even in stock form, the Bolero looks quite similar to the G-Wagen from many angles and this mod job has just capitalized on the straight, butch lines of the Bolero to make it look like the G-Wagen. Changes include extensive modifications to the front and the rear, with new headlamps, tail lamps and bumpers. The sheet metal of the Bolero has also been extensively worked upon to give it the authentic look and feel of a G-Wagen.

Mahindra Thar to Jeep Rubicon

Mahindra & Mahindra began its automotive business by assembling WWII Jeeps under license from Jeep USA. Though the Indian tractor and automobile maker has moved on to a host of advanced automobiles and businesses, the Thar is one product that takes Mahindra back to its Jeep making roots, at least in terms of design. Therefore, the Jeep Rubicon based on the Mahindra Thar is a pretty straight forward design. JeepClinic of Coimbatore has built this custom SUV. 

The Thar that has been modified to look like a Rubicon gets a hard top, wide fenders, a new front end, and wider tyres and alloy wheels, and a new paint job. The mechanicals remain unchanged with the Thar retaining its 2.5 liter CRDe turbo diesel engine that outputs 105 Bhp and 247 Nm. The gearbox is a five speed item that drives the rear wheels. A manual four wheel drive system is standard on the off-roader.

Tata Safari to Range Rover Evoque

Tata Motors now owns Jaguar and Land Rover. While Jaguar makes evocative luxury and sports cars, Land Rover is an SUV specialist boasting both utility and luxury models. While future Tata SUVs will get engineering inputs and parts from Land Rover, one Safari from India has already crossed that bridge into wearing Range Rover clothes.

India’s original SUV, the Tata Safari, has been transformed into a Range Rover Evoque by Big Daddy Customs, who call the modified car the Moon Rover. Extensive body panel modifications see the Safari getting modified into the very evocative Evoque. The mechanicals of the donor car have been unchanged. The 2.2 liter DICOR turbo diesel engine good for 140 Bhp and 320 Nm is retained and so is the five speed manual gearbox.

Changes on the Safari to Moon Rover conversion are as follows:

• Evoque front bumper
• Revised head and tail lamps
• Angel eyes on the headlamps
• LED daytime running lamps 
• Alloy wheels with wider tyres
• Custom white paint job with black contrast roof
• Quad exhaust finishers