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'BMC ADO17' was the name used by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) for its range of cars produced from September 1964 to 1975 and sold initially under its Austin marque as the 'Austin 1800'. Colloquially known as the "Landcrab", the car was also sold as Morris and Wolseley variants. The 1800 was voted European Car of the Year for 1965.

Contents

Development

The 1800 in Australia

Home-market 6-cylinder models

External links

Development

It was developed at BMC as the large-car follow-up to the successful Mini and Austin 1100 under the ADO17 codename. Additional badge-engineered 'Morris 1800' and 'Wolseley 18/85' variants were launched, in 1966 and 1967, catering for BMC dealerships selling these marques, and their loyal customers.
The car was unconventional in its appearance in 1964, with its large glasshouse and spacious, minimalist interior including leather, wood, and chrome features plus an unusual instrument display with ribbon speedometer and green indicator light on the end of the indicator stalk. Both Alec Issigonis and Pininfarina worked on its exterior. The technology "under the skin" was also unconventional and ahead of its time, including Hydrolastic suspension and an early example of anti-lock brakes, in the form of a valve which transferred braking force between front and rear axles when one set of wheels began to lock up. The bodyshell was exceptionally stiff, featuring greater structural rigidity than many modern cars in the present day.
In May 1968 a Mark II version was launched. This featured a cheaper and more conventional interior, revised front grilles and other trim, and for the Austin and Morris models the slim, horizontal rear lights were replaced by vertical "fin" lights which gave a family look along with the smaller ADO16 range. The Wolseley retained its unique rear lights. Further, less dramatic modifications heralded a Mark III version in 1972. This had another change to the front grilles and interior, including a conventional hand-brake.
In 1969, the doors from the 1800 (with Mark II exterior handles) were used on the bodyshell of the otherwise new Austin Maxi.

The 1800 in Australia

The 1800 was introduced in Australia in 1966 as the Austin 1800, with a Mark II version being introduced in 1969.
A version unique to Australia was a pickup variant, sold from 1968 to 1971.
Per capita, the Australian model sold better than anywhere else in the world. In the Australian market, it offered a roomy and advanced 4-cylinder alternative to the popular 6-cylinder models such as the Holden Kingswood, which used conventional engineering based on American principles.
In 1971, the Australian subsidiary of BL replaced the 1800 with the facelifted "X6" models known as Tasman and Kimberley. These featured new front and rear styling and a 2.2 litre 6-cylinder E series OHC engine (the first front wheel drive car with a transversely mounted 6-cylinder engine), as well as an updated interior.
These cars were intended to compete more effectively with the locally-designed rear-wheel drive 6-cylinder family cars.
These cars were also offered in New Zealand as Morris models.
They were not successful, and in 1973, they were superseded by the Leyland P76.

Home-market 6-cylinder models

The range 2.2 L straight-six engine used in the Australian "X6" cars eventually made it into the British ADO17s in 1972; the British 6-cylinder models were known as the 'Austin 2200', 'Morris 2200' and 'Wolseley Six'.
The ubiquitous doors even appeared on the further upmarket Austin 3-Litre of 1968 and, at prototype stage, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.
The 1800 and 2200 were not strong sales successes. While they were technically interesting, and offered a roomy interior and comfortable ride, they struggled to find a place in the market. In particular, the car had several reliability problems (the automatic was particularly troublesome) and the styling was not generally accepted.
In 1975, all three models were replaced by the wedge-shaped ADO71, or 18-22 series, which bore the same names at Austin and Morris (1800 and 2200), while the Wolseley variant had no official model name save for being marketed as "the Wolseley saloon". Eventually, all three became the Leyland Princess.

External links

★ The Unofficial Austin Rover Web Resource: BMC 1800/2200 index

★ Austin 1800 in Australia

★ Official Landcrab website