BMC ADO16

Austin 1300 GT Mark III (1971 )

ADO16 was the code name for a development of the British Motor Corporation ( BMC), from the Morris / Austin 1100/1300, a compact car emerged. Throughout the 1960s, was the ADO16 the best-selling car in the UK.

Most vehicles in this series were manufactured in the UK, but they were also built at Leyland Authi in Spain and at Innocenti in Italy, as in the Leyland plant in Belgium. The ADO16 was also the basis for similar vehicles that were manufactured in Australia and South Africa.

The car was introduced as the Morris 1100 on August 15, 1962. The series was then extended to different vehicles of other Group brands, such as the MG 1100 with two carburettors, the Vanden Plas Princess 1100 ( from October 1962), the Austin 1100 ( from October 1963) and finally the Wolseley 1100 ( from 1965) and Riley Kestrel (from 1965). The models Morris 1100 and Morris 1300 disappeared in 1971 in favor of the successor Morris Marina from the windows, but Austin and Vanden Plas versions remained until June 1974 in production.

The combi versions followed in 1966; they were called at Austin Countryman and Morris Traveller at each traditional name.

1964 was named Car of the Year 1100 by Wheels magazine.

3.1 models

4.1 models

Construction and Development

The ADO16 (ADO = Austin Drawing Office ) was designed by Alec Issigonis. After the successful mini Issigonis wanted to construct a larger and more complicated car that had even more innovations. Like the Mini was also constructed of ADO16 around the BMC -A engine, which is mounted transversely and should drive the front wheels. In addition to disc brakes with floating stored, single caliper of ADO16 got the first car to his concept of Alex Moulton hydrolstic system, a suspension that replaced the usual coil springs by a composite rubber suspension elements and Flüssigkeitsverdrängern. The mechanically interconnected Citroën 2CV suspension of was ( according to an interview, the Moulton end of the 1990s, the CAR magazine gave ) by Alec Issigonis and Alex Moulton mid -1950s, analyzed and inspired her to Hydrolastic system in which each lying on the same side of the vehicle with spring elements hoses are connected. The system should prevent the occurring at that time many small cars nod without simultaneously generate excessive body roll. Pininfarina, the Italian designer who had previously designed the Austin A40 Farina for BMC, was asked to take care of the styling of the ADO16. He turned it into a masterpiece, because he made with small outside dimensions for an interior which was the Ford Cortina comparable.

Mark I (1962-1967)

The original Mark I models can be recognized by the almost vertical tail fins indicated with the small rear light units. The advertising brochures put the spacious interior compared to its competitors in 1964 in the UK as the more conservative Ford Anglia, Vauxhall Viva HA and Morris Minor from their own home out.

The Mark I models of the Austin 1100 and Morris 1100, there were initially only as four-door sedans. In March 1966, a three-door station wagon, called the Austin 1100 Countryman and Morris 1100 Traveller. Customers in the UK who wanted a two-door sedan, had to wait for the Mark II in 1967, although there was this body design already in various export markets such as the U.S.. There, a two-door MG 1100 was offered.

The located under the engine transmission which the oil reservoir shared also with the engine, had four forward gears, of which the top three were synchronized. As of November 1965 there was a four-stage automatic Automotive Products (AP).

Models

Mark II (1967-1971)

End of May 1967 BMC announced that it the MG, the Riley, the Vanden Plas and the Wolseley would equip them with the larger 1275 - cc engine. However, the new car combined the already known from the Mini Cooper and Austin -Healey Sprite engine with the gearbox of 1100, the ratios of the individual gears remained unchanged despite the use of the larger engine, the differential translation of 4.133 to 3.65, and later three, was increased 44.

The Mark II versions of the Austin and Morris were announced in October 1967 as the Austin 1300 and Morris 1300, where it continues were the versions with 1098 cc engine.

From the outside you can see the Austin / Morris Mark II is on a slightly wider grille, which extends below the headlights and something more structured. Also, these models have changed tail lights, which were installed in this form in the taxi model Austin FX4. The models had continued throughout the four-speed gearbox, the three upper gears were synchronized; fully synchronized gearbox was introduced in 1968.

The Mark II versions of the MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley were introduced in October 1968, with the type designation Riley Kestrel dropped. The Riley 1300 Mark II was discontinued in July 1969 and disappeared as the last Riley from the market.

At the London Motor Show in October 1969 BMC led the models Austin 1300 GT and Morris 1300 GT, which the same 1275 cc engine with two carburetors had as the MG 1300, but with a black grille over the entire width of the vehicle, a black vinyl roof and thick, black stripes were equipped on the vehicle sides. That was the response of BMC to the Ford Escort GT and the Vauxhall Viva GT. The ground clearance has been reduced cash by reducing the pressure in the hydrolstic system from 15.53 to 14.15 bar.

1970 could 1100/1300 to maintain its position as the best-selling model in the UK, the twins Austin / Morris, although little has been changed since the introduction of the first Morris 1100 in 1962. 132 965 vehicles were sold this year, compared with only 123 025 Ford Cortina, a model that appeared earlier this year in the 3rd generation. When the 2 million - ste ADO16 was made, you pulled the Morris versions back from the market to make room for the new Morris Marina. Thus, it was 1970, the last year in which the 1100/1300, the British car led Charts.

Models

Mark III (1971-1974)

The Mark III models were introduced in September 1971. With the launch of the Morris 1100 Mark I in 1962, the manufacturer had expressed its intention to manufacture the ADO16 at least ten years, which, despite the vicissitudes suffered by BMC in the 1960s, had proved to be right. The range was gradually reduced; the MG 1300 dropped in 1971 off and the Wolseley 1300 in 1973. The last ADO16, a Vanden Plas Princess 1300, the production lines left on 19 June 1974. successors were the Austin Allegro and its sister model Vanden Plas 1500. At that time, the Ford Cortina, the original competitors, already grown significantly; the ADO16 belonged rather to the compact class as the middle class.

From 1973, the Austin 1100/1300 and his successor Austin Allegro were more than a year, yet produced simultaneously.

Models

Timeline of ADO16

March 1962 - the first Morris 1100 and MG 1100 are manufactured in Cowley ( Oxfordshire ).
August 15, 1962 - Presentation of the Morris in 1100 as a four-door sedan in the United Kingdom. The two-door sedan is available only for export markets.
October 2, 1962 - Presentation of the MG 1100 as a four-door sedan in the United Kingdom. Like the Morris 1100, there is the two-door sedan only for export markets. The MG 1100 has an engine with 55 bhp (40 kW ) with two carburetors and is equipped luxurious.
November 1962 - Both models get mud flaps on the rear wheels.
April 1963 - Introduction of the Innocenti IM3. This is a ADO16 to be built in Italy by Innocenti with other vehicle front, other bumpers and better interiors. IM means Innocenti - Morris. The 3 indicates that this is the third model that builds Innocenti in BMC license.
September 1963 - Introduction of the Austin 1100, of the Morris 1100 looks similar, but has the traditional Austin grille with eight cross bars and the Austin coat of arms as well as other interior and a different dashboard.
October 1963 -. Introduction of the Vanden Plas 1100 It is the top model with walnussfurniertem dashboard and just such interior door panels, picnic tables behind the front seats in Connolly leather and Wilton carpets and a headlining West of England cloth.
October 1963 - All models in the tank for the windscreen washer system is installed so that it no longer freezes in winter.
November 1963 - The carpets are replaced by rubber mats.
February 17, 1964 - Presentation of the Morris 1100 in Australia. There are 37 changes to the British model, so that it appears to be suitable for Australian conditions, such as another, more comfortable interior. Front is fitted instead of individual seats, a bench seat, hand brake lever moves to the right side between the seat and door. A long, bent gear lever ensures that the center between the former single sitting is free. Bumper horns front and rear are available as an extra, a sun visor made of sheet metal or metal mesh for the windshield is available that " the front occupants from eye fatigue due to too intense sunlight " is. Further, there is a sun protection roller blind for the rear window, which consists of vertical metal slats. This should protect the interior from excessive heating.
September 1964 - Improvements: All models get a clutch with diaphragm spring, better heating, solar panels with corrugated surface and mirror with plastic frame.
12 to 22 March 1964 - Introduction of the Innocenti J4 at the Motor Show in Turin. The front of the vehicle is similar to the sold in the UK Morris 1100. He has a grille with eight transverse bars and similar lamps, but with clear glass.
End of 1964 / early 1965 - Presentation of the MG Princess in the USA, are sold of which only 154
January 1965 - Introduction of the Crayford station wagons of ADO16
September 1965 - Introduction of the Wolseley 1100 and Riley Kestrel, both mechanically the same MG 1100. The Wolseley has a broadband speedometer, while the Riley round instruments and a tachometer possesses.
October 1965 - at the request automatic transmission for Morris and Austin
March 1966 - The combination models Morris 1100 Traveller and Austin 1100 Countryman will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
May 1966 - For all 1100ern there are fold-down front seats. In Traveller and Countryman can thus form a double bed.
July 1966 - The Innocenti IM3S comes out. The model has no bumper horns and a different grille.
Mid-1966 - The plant in Longbridge has developed a station wagon with a 1500 cc engine great for Australia, the Nomad. This model should be delivered in June 1969 in Australia, but never coming to the UK.
September 1966 - Production of the Morris 1100 in Spain starts; the interior comes from Innocenti in Italy.
May 1967 - Introduction of the Austin 1100 Countryman and Morris 1100 Traveller in South Africa
June 1967 - The 1275 cc engine is getting put in the MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley than 58 -bhp ( 43- kW) version with a carburetor. These models get a special " 1275 cc " sign.
Summer 1967 - discontinues sales of MG 1100 in the USA. The Austin 1100 held the space free for the Austin America available from 1968. The Austin 1100 gets a big speedometer in the middle of the dashboard as that which was built in the deluxe versions of the Mark II.
August 1967 - Presentation of the Morris 1100 S in Australia. He has a 1275 cc engine.
October 1967 - Presentation of the 1100 Mark II model with clipped tail fins (only saloons ), ventilated wheels and side indicators on the front wings. The interior is revised. The Austin and Morris versions have widened grille that extend below the headlights. The Austin or Morris logo migrate from the bonnet to the grille. The Morris versions now have a black dashboard, while the Austin have a silver-colored instrument panel. Both models are equipped with toggle switches instead of toggle switches. The combi versions get side strips made of imitation wood, but look back still the same as the Mark I versions. Introduction of the 1300 models, like the 1100 Mark II models, but with a larger engine with 1275 cc and 58 hp ( 43 kW ), and a modified grille. Austin, MG 1300 and Morris are available with two or four doors, while Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley are only available with four doors still. MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley, there are also available with an automatic gearbox. At the London Motor Show a ADO16 - Cabriolet is shown by Jensen, which is based on an Austin 1100 Countryman.
November 1967-50 piece 1100s - vans are produced, but never took the model into production.
June 1968 - No official announcement transpires that the manual transmission models of MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley with the stronger two- carburettor version of the 1275 cc engine to be equipped. The automatic versions retain the Einvergaser engine.
June 1969 - The Australian Morris 1100 production is halted. The model is replaced by the Morris 1500 and the estimates based on Nomad. Approximately 90,000 cars were built until then, all the BMC factory in Zetland (New South Wales) in Sydney.

ADO16 production abroad

The ADO16 was sold under different names in export markets:

In Spain, he was appointed as Austin, MG and Morris, said production at Authi (car Móviles de Turismo Hispano Ingleses ) in Pamplona began in 1966, and 1972 culminated in the Austin Victoria.

In Denmark, the ADO16 Morris Marina said. The MG models were sold as the MG Sports Sedan, as well as in the U.S. was the case from 1962. The car was, unlike in the country of origin, even then as a two-door sedans. The Vanden Plas Princess was named in the U.S. briefly MG Princess 1100; there were also an unusual two-door Austin 1100 sedan, which was made up of Mark I and Mark II components.

The Austin America was sold in the U.S., Canada and Switzerland from 1968 to 1972 and had the 1275 cc engine with 60 bhp (44 kW).

Also the ADO16 was the basis of the Australian Morris 1500 models, Morris 1300 and Morris Nomad, the Italian versions Innocenti IM3, Austin I4 and I5 Austin, the stronger South African Austin, Morris and Wolseley 11/55 and Austin Apache. The Spanish Models Austin Victoria and the Austin de Luxe from 1974 to 1977 with 998- cc engine based on the ADO16.

The Austin Apache was produced until 1977; he was the last of the ADO16 line.

In film and television

The private investigator Perry Clifton, a fictional character from the pen of crime writer Wolfgang Ecke, drives a dark blue Morris 1100. Clockwise with John Cleese in the film is a 1100 piece by piece dismantled. John Cleese also continues as Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers a red Austin 1100 Countryman.