Austin Ant

The Austin Ant (also: BMC ADO19 ) was a small four-wheel vehicle, which was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis for the British car manufacturer BMC. The answer is generally regarded as a military vehicle, but some people feel that he had been designed for civilian use. As a military vehicle of the Ant was a possible successor for the constructed also by Issigonis Mini Moke.

The Ant project was completed in 1968, before a correct serial production started off. This was the time when the BMC and British Leyland merged to BLMC. The merger led to many overlaps in the model ranges and the Ant was seen as too competitive in the " Land Rover " models.

The Ant had a BMC -A engine transversely and easily installed at an angle to the rear to allow sufficient ground clearance and suspension travel was available. The main gearbox was mounted as the Mini in the engine sump. A reduction gear ran the engine power through a propeller shaft to the rear axle. The same design principle was applied 30 years later with a Rover K engine of the Land Rover Freelander.

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