Maruti Suzuki 800 Deluxe (SB308) in Bright Blue | Movie 'Irupatham Noottandu'

 

The Maruti Suzuki 800 Deluxe (SB308) in its iconic blue shade—a color officially called Bright Blue in Maruti Suzuki brochures but popularly nicknamed Racing Blue—was a rare sight. This vibrant color was available for only a short span, approximately from 1986 to 1990, making it a prized memory for enthusiasts.

The Maruti Suzuki 800, produced for 31 years, holds the title of the second-longest-running production car in India, surpassed only by the legendary Hindustan Ambassador. Its origins trace back to the Suzuki Fronte SS80, but the SB308 variant, introduced in late 1986, was a more modernized and aerodynamic version based on the second-generation Suzuki Alto.

This revolutionary model reshaped India’s automotive landscape. It was India’s first truly affordable people’s car, featuring modern front-wheel drive and compact, high-speed capabilities. At the time, it was the only contemporary vehicle in the market, outshining the aging Hindustan Ambassador and Premier Padmini, both relics of 1950s design.

A glimpse of the Maruti Suzuki 800 Deluxe in Bright Blue can be seen in the 1987 Malayalam-language film Irupatham Noottandu, a nostalgic nod to an era when this car symbolized aspiration and progress for Indian families.