Austin Kimberley

The Austin Kimberley and be easier equipped sister model Austin Tasman were middle-class cars that were built by the Australian branch of the Austin Motor Company from 1970 to 1973. There were tailored to the specific needs of the Australian market developments of Austin in 1800.

The Austin 1800 ( " land crab " ) was produced from 1965 in the Australian branch factory of BMC, but encountered a difficult environment. The ingenuity of its design, maximum interior space to offer with minimal external dimensions, was not recognized as correct in the sparsely populated Australia. The local competition models, Holden, Ford Falcon and the Chrysler Valiant, not offered more interior space, but a body that looked representative and most importantly - more importantly - engines with six cylinders. Therefore, the Australian subsidiary of BMC developed the Austin 1800 further according to local needs.

Keeping the body center part - and the generous space available - front and rear have been significantly extended and shaped square. He also got a completely new engine, a six- cylinder version of the engine of the Austin Maxi. The engine capacity was 2227 cc, power 100 to 115 hp (74 to 85 kW). From 1972, this engine was also used in the UK in Austin in 2200, but his premiere, he celebrated in Australia.

The end of 1970, the new car was presented. There were two versions: the simply furnished Austin Tasman with single headlights, full bench seat in front and a Einvergasermotor with 100 hp, and the better-equipped Austin Kimberley with dual headlights, front bucket seats and a two- carburetor engine with 115 hp. The advertising promised that both models, including the Tasman, a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km / h) would reach.

The choice of name was that we wanted to offer a deliberately designed for Australia car, but demand remained subdued. Most buyers continued to prefer the technically more conventional competition of australo American manufacturers.

In three years, until 1973, just over 15000 pieces of this model were made ​​, said Kimberley was clearly preferred over the Tasman. Then, these cars were discontinued in favor of the new Leyland P76 with the Australian subsidiary launched their next attempt to come up with a designed specifically for the needs of the Australian market vehicle to greater success. However, the technology of the Kimberley / Tasman with its transverse-mounted six-cylinder in-line engine lived in Britain in the models Austin Princess 2200 and 2200 on a little longer.