Austin 3Litre '67-'71 ADO61

carchaeologist

Any of these big 'ol ships in the country nowadays? Were there many originally sold here when a current model ?

macplaxton

carchaeologist wrote: »

Were there many originally sold here when a current model ?

I doubt there were many sold anywhere as from what remember of what I read, they were a bit of flop.

carchaeologist

macplaxton wrote: »

I doubt there were many sold anywhere as from what remember of what I read, they were a bit of flop.

Indeed, with the awkward styling using the doors from the Austin 1800.

Sam Russell

I think they were designed for the British Army for use as a staff car.

hi5

Heres a pic,for those like me who had to look it up:)

101sean

Weren't they nicknamed Landcrabs?

101sean

Sort of on topic, WH Smith have recently done one of their special magazines on the history of BL, it's constituents and ultimate demise. I got it when I was in the UK 3 weeks ago but I think they do mail order.

Sam Russell

101sean wrote: »

Weren't they nicknamed Landcrabs?

I think that was Austin 1800. Same basic body but the 3 litre was stretched and was driven from the back wheels.

f4fay

Same engine as an MGC !

carchaeologist

Sam Russell wrote: »

I think that was Austin 1800. Same basic body but the 3 litre was stretched and was driven from the back wheels.

Yes, the 1800 was the Landcrab, and the 3 Litre the Landlobster....

Stained Class

They weren't a success for BMC. Neither was the 1800 tbh. It was cars like these that were part of the reason the company was rapidly 'taking in water' by the late '60s

This is why the British Govt encouraged a merger between BMC and Leyland Motors(which was in pretty good shape at the time). This came to pass & the company became BLMC in 1968.

The 'merger' was basically a takeover of BMC by Leyland.

When the Leyland people looked over their new aquisition, many shocks awaited them. Not least the upcoming 3 litre & Maxi.:eek:

They were horrified by the new cars, but knew that things were too far gone to kill the launch. They tidied them up the best they could but....

Blue850

I found a listing for the 3 litre in a 1971 Motoring Life, £2,432 for an Auto, no price for a manual.
The 1800 "Landcrab" was £1,537, the Morris 1800S was £1,597 and the Wolseley 18/85 auto, £1,972.





Another real rarity ,the 2.2 Wolseley Six, with the E series 6 cylinder engine
£2205 in 1973



Austin 1800

carchaeologist

Nice one with the prices Ger. i wonder was there a manual version ? Those Wolseley 2200s had the six across the bay too, good thing its a wide car.

Blue850

They were available with a 4 speed manual, with optional o/d.
16mpg probably didn't help sales...

You can't beat Graham Robson on facts n figures;)

carchaeologist

Blue850 wrote: »

You can't beat Graham Robson on facts n figures;)

Indeed, that's the best book on the subject alright. Nicely laid out too. If I had mine to hand tonight id have known about the gearboxes. :pac:

carchaeologist

It would pass for a Maxi if you looked quickly.



Wiki says

A small number of estate models were built, converted by Crayford

Anyone have a pic of one of these?

macplaxton

Crayford Estate? Keith Adams is the man that can...


Image courtesy of the wonderful AR Online.

Stained Class

That's a great site alright.

I read that Alec Issigonis, BMC's chief designer was sidlined shortly after the merger,due possibly to his responsibility for this car along with the Maxi & 1800.

He was brilliant with smaller cars though, having designed the Morris Minor, Mini & 1100 range.

MercMad

They were gawdawful ugly cars the lot of 'em !

Gmin

I have fond memories of my mother,my aunt and 9 children heading out to Ballyheigue for a day at the beach in an Austin 1800 back in the 80's.I quite like the style of them and would not mind a nice 18/85 Wolseley.