5 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

"Although there was plenty of choice for family car buyers at the beginning of the 1960s, just two years into the new decade they’d be treated to a brand new model – one that would evolve into a wide range of bestsellers. Turning his engineering genius to something more spacious than the Mini, Alec Issigonis came up with the car you see here, codenamed ADO16 (for Amalgamated Drawing Office, project 16) and initially available in Morris 1100 guise.
The range would ultimately encompass six different versions, with the Morris being joined by Austin, MG, Riley, Wolseley and Vanden Plas variations on the same theme. From sensible family car to something sportier or more luxurious, this feast of badge-engineering ensured just about every taste and pocket was catered for."
More here:-
https://classicsworl...6-buyers-guide/

 

[Stevie W]

Thanks for posting this MAB!

 

Back in the day, I learnt to drive in a Trafalger blue Mk1 austin 1100 and kept it going for several years after. Then "upgraded" to an Austin 1300 GT Mk2. My last was a white Austin 1300 Mk3....then I progressed to Allegros!!

 

This article brings back, great memories of these fab cars and how advanced they were, my mates were driving around in Mk1 Escorts at the time.

 

As with these cars, all 3 were consigned to the great breakers yard in the sky through rampant rust issues. The Mk1 nearly lost its rear subframe going over a humpbacked bridge at high speed (well nearly 50mph)!

 

Best regards, Steve.

[Cooperman]

 My last was a white Austin 1300 Mk3....then I progressed to Allegros!!

 

Well, no-one's perfect! .

[DeadSquare]

For many years I have had a 1300 ADO 16 saloon, from which I intended to remove the roof and "install" an MGB boot lid etc:, thus creating the mythical Longbridge front wheel drive Mk V. Austin Healy Sprite.

[mab01uk]

This five-door hatchback was built by Somerset-based Creech Motors and made use of the MGB GT’s tailgate.

 

Hatching out the BMC 1100:-

https://www.aronline...otors/mystique/

Edited by mab01uk, 08 February 2023 - 11:13 PM.

[DeadSquare]

This five-door hatchback was built by Somerset-based Creech Motors and made use of the MGB GT’s tailgate.

 

Hatching out the BMC 1100:-

https://www.aronline...otors/mystique/

 

Thank you, that was a very interesting read, but it makes me weep to think what England lost, or rather, what "Red Robbo and Jeremy Ckarkson" killed.