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One-of-a-Kind Hindustan Contessa: A Labor of Love and Dedication

The Hindustan Contessa is a favoured car among car collectors in India. While often referred to as a muscle car, it is actually a sedan with a boxy design. The Contessa is based on the Vauxhall VX series sedan and is often considered a vintage car. Due to its long bonnet and boxy design, many people modify it to resemble American muscle cars. Throughout the country, there are numerous examples of modified Contessa sedans. In the state of Kerala, one such sedan has been meticulously modified inside and out to resemble a muscle car.

The video was uploaded by Adimalikkaran on their YouTube channel. In this video, the vlogger discusses all of the modifications that the owner has made to their Contessa. The main highlight of this sedan is its paint job, which is finished in high-gloss black, giving the car a distinct appearance. Starting from the front, the original grille has been swapped with an aftermarket one, although the vlogger notes that the owner intends to replace it soon. Furthermore, the stock headlights have been replaced with LED units.

The Contessa’s long bonnet has been retained, but the character lines have been redesigned. Additionally, the bonnet’s edge has undergone a redesign. The bumper has been completely overhauled, now featuring a lower lip that gives it a sporty appearance. A Shelby logo can be seen on the front grille, and the turn indicators have been integrated into the headlamp units. Moving on to the side profile, custom fender flares have been installed, and the original wheels have been swapped out for aftermarket units. The car now sports 18-inch blacked-out alloy wheels in a style reminiscent of BMW at the front and 19-inch ones at the back, with both the front and rear wheels fitted with low-profile tires.

One-of-a-Kind Hindustan Contessa: A Labor of Love and Dedication
HM Contessa modifed

When looking at the car from the side, the overall design remains unchanged from the stock version. However, due to the glossy black paint job, the car now looks considerably more upscale. The ORVMs on this vehicle have been borrowed from a Royal Enfield Classic motorcycle. As we move towards the rear, more modifications become apparent. Similar to the front, the rear profile has also been redesigned. The rectangular-shaped tail lamp cluster that comes with the car from the factory has been swapped out for aftermarket units. Additionally, there is a custom-made boot lip spoiler on this sedan, and the lower part of the bumper has been modified to achieve a more muscle car-like appearance.

The interior of this sedan has also been customized. Similarly to the exterior, the interior has been given an all-black treatment. Black leatherette upholstery can be found at both the front and the rear of the car. While the steering wheel remains stock, the dashboard has been sourced from another car, and the instrument cluster is from an Ambassador. The power window switches are mounted on the door, and the gear lever has been replaced with an aftermarket unit. An aftermarket touchscreen infotainment system has also been installed, and the speaker system has been upgraded. However, no performance upgrades have been made to the car, and the engine remains a stock 2.0-liter unit.