More pictures of the superb ADO16 - this time my personal favourite version, the 1300GT.
Autocar magazine's impressions of the newly launched 1300GT:
NEW FOR 1969/70: AUSTIN MORRIS 1300GT
NEW GT versions of the Austin and Morris 1300 saloons are announced and the accent is on the sporting side, to make the cars appeal to the enthusiast. They have the performance previously available only in the MG version, and there are many special fittings to enhance the appearance of the cars and give them a GT flavour.
Standard power unit is the 4-eylinder 1,275 c.c. engine with twin SU HS2 carburettors and 9.75 to 1 compression. Maximum power is 70 (net) bhp as for the MG 1300. The Hydrolastic suspension has been lowered slightly, and auxiliary springs and an anti-roll bar have been added to improve stability and roadholding. Otherwise the mechanical specification is largely the same as for the MG 1300, including the 3.65 to 1 final drive ratio. In conjunction with the standard 145 SR-1 2 SP68 radial ply tyres, top gear speed at 1,000 rpm is 16.8 mph.
Externally a quite distinctive appearance has been obtained by fitting silver and black wheel trims with nine "spokes", and a full length flash in black with bright beading above and below. The radiator grille is of plain mesh, with two horizontal chrome bars and GT letters between them on the left side of the car. GT letters appear again on the rear quarter panels, and there is a 1300GT scroll at the back. The British Leyland symbol is fitted to both front wings, just rear of the wheel arch.
Exterior finish is in a choice of three colours- flame red, white or bronze yellow, and all 1300GTs have black PVC on the roof.
Interior finish is also in black, and the most noticeable change is in the seating, now with much more shapely backrests at the front to give good lateral support; centre parts of the seat cushion and squab are in perforated pvc, and reclining backrests are standard. A small chromed lever on the inside edge of each seat releases the reclining mechanism. Rear seats have centre folding armrests.
Facias are also in black, and three circular instruments house speedometer (with no trip) on the left, and rev counter on the right. In the centre dial are oil pressure and engine temperature gauges and, a little tucked away at the bottom, a gauge for the 8-gallon fuel tank. A new three-spoke alloy steering wheel with leather covered rim is standard. A very neat interior mirror is fitted which is much wider and gives a far better view behind than ever before on any of the 1100/1300 range and has night dipping provision. A black leather gaiter at the bottom of the gear lever adds to the sporting appearance of the interior.
One might have hoped for more mechanical development such as forward radiator mounting with an electric fan and an air blending heater with facia inlets for cool air, but in these and other matters the 1300GT layout is as the MG 1300 and all the modifications are confined to matters of trim and appearance. However, the radiator fan is now of moulded plastic, and the exhaust outlet is repositioned at the side on the left to prevent fumes from being sucked in through the boot. A chromed tail pipe finisher is fitted to the exhaust.
Optional extras include a steering column lock, servo-assisted brakes, heated rear window and laminated windscreen.
Although the 1300GT is to be produced only in 4-door form, its total price of£910 undercuts the MG 1300 2-doorby more than £20.
On the British market the 1300GT's immediate rivals are the Ford Cortina GT 2-door at £960, the Vauxhall Viva 1600 4-door SI at the same price as the 1300GT, and the newly announced Hillman GT (£962). The car is an additional model in the BMC range, to be produced with both Austin and Morris badges, and does not affect existing 1100/1300 models which, as lord Stokes said in a pre- announcement speech to the Press, have consolidated their lead as Britain's best-selling car, with 13.59 percent of the market.
PRICES: Austin/Morris 1300GT
| Basic: | £695 0s 0d |
|---|---|
| Purchase Tax: | £214 13s 1d |
| Total (in GB): | £909 13s 1d |
A number of examples of the new 1300GT were made available for the Press to try on a recent BMC test day at Silverstone, and they certainly perform very well indeed, reaching an indicated 90 mph or a little more on at least three parts of the GP circuit. Handling seemed a little less predictable than formerly, but full it must await the Road Test we plan to publish on 23 October.
Article supplied by Michael Hickey