New Delhi: The Maruti 800 revolutionised the Indian automotive industry, making affordable cars for middle-class families back in 1983. Although the iconic hatchback was discontinued in 2014, it is still close to collectors’ hearts. Not willing to give up on it, they have modified it.
Recently, a video surfaced on the Jaipur Jeep Lovers YouTube channel, showcasing a truly exceptional modification of a Maruti 800, transforming it into an elongated hearse, making it the longest Maruti 800 in the country. Built for a Gurudwara, this vehicle serves a noble purpose in public service.
Some changes have been made to its front end. It features aftermarket round headlamps in place of the stock ones. It seems the car has been extended by cutting it in the middle and adding metal sheets.
The rear seat has been completely redesigned to accommodate two seats and a stretcher for carrying bodies. The blue-themed interior features leather seat covers, while the dashboard and switches remain stock. Access to the stretcher is through the tailgate, with a partition separating the driver’s cabin from the rear. It is not clear whether the rear cabin is air-conditioned.
The video does not mention the time and cost involved in this transformation and neither the process. Notably, Maruti recently bought back the first-ever 800 hatchback, which was originally delivered to Mr. Harpal Singh in 1983 by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Maruti restored the car to its former glory and proudly displayed it at their Delhi headquarters. The Maruti 800 was equipped with a 796-cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine, generating 38.9 bhp of power and 59 Nm of peak torque.
