Gallery : BMC 1100/1300 timeline

The ADO16 was BMC’s best selling car during the 1960s, and as a result, it lived a long and varied life.
This timeline, compiled by Michael Schaefer, has put the car’s illustrious career into factual order.


Year Date (where known) Details
1962 March Production of the MG 1100 (and presumably the Morris as well) began at BMC’s Cowley plant.
15 August Morris 1100 launched (48 bhp, Saloon 2/4 doors, but 2 doors export only).
August A small batch of Morris 1100s is exported to Denmark, where they would be marketed as the Morris Marina. However, this venture proved to be short-lived, as the announcement of a new tax regime on 1 September of that year brought car sales to a virtual standstill. Consequently, this initial batch of cars mainly remained as dealer demonstrators, and proper sales did not resume until the following year (see below).
October MG 1100 (twin carburettors, 55 bhp) launched on 2 October; the proposed “MGC 1100” designation not used for production models.
MG 1100 launched in the US as the MG Sports Sedan, although this name is used only in promotional material – cars still badged as “MG 1100”.
1963 January After a false start the previous year (see above), Danish sales of the imported Morris Marina and MG1100 being in earnest.
1 February The first New Zealand-built Morris 1100 rolls off the production line at the Newmarket plant. More…
Spring Innocenti IM3 launched (grille/headlights differ from Morris, more upright steering wheel, tank filler with flap, dashboard with two large round instruments, seats different from British cars, twin carburettors, 58hp SAE, completely different trim inside and out. Different bootlid, bumpers, door handles, rear lamps; used Delorto carburettors for some time.)
July Morris 1100 launched in South Africa.
September Austin 1100 launched (similar to Morris, but grille with eight ‘wavy’ bars, no chrome strip on bonnet, different dashboard), badging: Badge on bonnet (round one) and grille (script); sold in the Netherlands as Austin Glider.
October
(London Motor Show)
Vanden Plas Princess 1100 launched to gauge public reaction. Show car was converted by hand from an MG1100, with luxury equipment including a burr walnut-veneer dashboard (housing two round instruments), door cappings and picnic tables; Connolly hide upholstery; Wilton carpets; West of England cloth headlining.
November Rubber mats replace carpets.
Exact date unknown Austin 1100 introduced in Denmark, where it was marketed in competition with the Morris Marina (see above) through the separate Austin distribution network, which also handled the Vanden Plas Princess 1100.
1964 17 February Morris 1100 Deluxe launched in Australia (bench seat instead of separate front seats, handbrake at driver’s right, rear seat redesigned, armrests fitted to front doors, different boot handle and number plate light and other modifications).
Spring Start of Vanden Plas Princess 1100 production (154 cars sold in the USA as MG Princess).
September Minor revisions introduced: diaphragm spring clutch replaces coil spring clutch, better heater, crush style sun visors, framed mirror.
October Austin 1100S launched by Speedwell (57/66/72 bhp, also exported; produced until 1966).
Torino Motor Show Innocenti I4 launched (like Austin 1100, but similarly different like the IM3 – ie., most differences as IM3, Grille and front/sidelamps (and dash) similar to UK Austin, but all different parts), soon followed by I4S (engine like IM3).
1964/65 154 lhd Vanden Plas Princess 1100s sold in the US as the MG Princess 1100.
1965 January Hatchback conversion by Crayford announced.
September Wolseley 1100 and Riley Kestrel launched (engine like MG, Riley with round instruments and rev-counter, Wolseley sold in the Netherlands as Wolseley Wesp).
October Austin/Morris models available with automatic transmission.
Date unknown
(after October 1965)
Mystique (hatchback conversion, using a MGB GT tailgate) introduced by Creech Motors in Somerset.
1966 March
(Geneva Motor Show)
Austin 1100 Countryman and Morris 1100 Traveller estate cars launched.
Spring The range of models sold Denmark is expanded, with the introduction of the 2-door and automatic versions of the Morris Marina and Austin 1100.
May Reclining front seats available.
Summer Innocenti IM3S launched (better equipped, no overriders, different grille with more bars).
Mid-year Prototype YDO 15 (Morris 1500) with hatchback produced at Longbridge.
September Morris 1100 production begins in Spain (using Innocenti-supplied interior trim).
14 December Merger announcement of BMC and Jaguar to form British Motor Holdings (BMH).
Exact date unknown Wolseley 1100 launched in South Africa during second half of year.
Two Vanden Plas Princess 1100 Countryman cars produced as prototypes. At least one of these is thought to have survived at least until the mid-1990s, when it was offered for sale by Sporting Cars of Brighton.
1966/67 Exact date unknown MG 1100 two door saloon assembled in Ireland (264 cars).
1967 Spring Wolseley 1100 available with single-carburettor, 48bhp engine in South Africa.
May Austin 1100 Countryman and Morris 1100 Traveller launched in South Africa.
June MG/Riley/Vanden Plas/Wolseley available with 1275cc engine option (single-carburettor, 58bhp), MkI body (in this combination only until October 1967!). These models badged as “1275” rather than “1100”.
August Morris 1100S launched in Australia (1275 cc, single-carburettor, 63bhp).
September Authi-built MG 1100 launched in Spain.
October 1100 MkII models launched, with cropped rear fins (saloons only), ventilated wheels, repeater flashes on front wings, revised interior. Austin/Morris models have revised front-end styling with new grilles (Austin with 8 bars, Morris with 7 bars). Morris models lose MkI’s badge and chrome strip on bonnet, but keep Morris badge on grille; dashboard in 4-door Super de Luxe models now similar to Austin’s but with crackle-black finish; 2-door de Luxe has a central instrument binacle. Countryman and Traveller estate cars now have wood-effect side strips and revised front end styling, but retain MkI-style rear end. MG 1100 MkII remains 4-door only in UK.
1300 models launched – like 1100 MkII, but with 1275cc engine (single carburettor, 58bhp), all-synchromesh gearbox and better brakes. Austin grille has 8 bars (4 groups of 2), Morris grille has 9 bars (3 groups of 3). Morris 1300 De Luxe 2-door has dashboard like that of 1100 MkII 2-door; Morris 1300 Super De Luxe 2-door has dashboard like that of the 4-door. MG 1300 avialable in both 2-door and 4-door bodystyles in the UK for the first time. MG/Riley/Vanden Plas/Wolseley available with automatic transmission.
Jensen convertible (based on an Austin 1100 Countryman) shown for the first time at London Motor Show, but never made it to series production.
1100 Standard launched in Australia; discontinued June 1968 (only 124 cars built).
MG 1100 no longer exported to USA. Austin 1100 exported in small numbers as a stop-gap until the arrival of the Austin America in March 1968.
November Morris 1100 Automatic in Australia (until December 1968).
Year end 1100 Van entered limited production (about 50 prototypes with large single speedometer).
1967/68 Exact dates unknown Development of proposed replacement ADO22, with improved suspension system; project cancelled in favour of ADO67 (Allegro).
Morris 1100 prototype with fibreglass body produced at Longbridge.
Around New Year 1968, Denmark starts to receive the following MkII ADO16s, including the Morris 1300 (sold as the Morris Marina GT), Austin 1300 and the 4-door MG 1300.
1968 January Austin 11/55, Morris 11/55 and Wolseley 11/55 launched in South Africa (single carburettor, modified cylinder head but 54bhp SAE, built until 1971).
Riley Kestrel 1100 MkII discontinued.
February Wolseley 1100 MkII discontinued.
March MG 1100 MkII, Vanden Plas Princess 1100 MkII and Austin 1100 Countryman MkII discontinued; Morris 1100 Traveller MkII discontinued in Britain.
Austin America launched in USA, based on 1300 2-door saloon but with de-toxed 60 bhp engine, automatic transmission (4-speed manual optional) and “sports” interior. Also sold in Canada and Switzerland.
Morris 1100 Traveller introduced in Spain.
April MG/Riley/Wolseley 1300 with manual transmission gain twin-carburettor 65bhp engine; Vanden Plas Princess 1300 retains single-carb 58bhp unit.
14 May Merger of BMH and Leyland to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation.
30 September 1100 models with all-syncromesh gearbox launched.
Morris 1300 and MG 1300 production begins in Spain.
October MG/Riley/Vanden Plas/Wolseley 1300 MkII models launched, with improved engine and gearbox. (MG/Riley: 70bhp manual, 65bhp automatic; Vanden Plas/Wolseley: 65bhp manual, 60bhp automatic). Riley drops the name ‘Kestrel’. MG is now only available with 2-door bodywork, and has revised dashboard with three round instruments.
Updated Austin America launched, with front seats equipped with headrests and side-mounted reflectors.
Torino Motor Show BLMC 1100 Berlina Aerodinamica by Pininfarina unveiled.
1968/69 Exact date unknown Austin/Morris/Wolseley 11/55 MkII, featuring the revised rear-end styling, introduced in South Africa sometime between Spring 1968 and September 1969.
1969 January Morris 1100S Automatic launched in Australia (until May 1969; only 767 cars built).
February Morris 1300 Traveller production begins in Spain.
Morris and MG convertibles built by Crayford (6 of each marque).
Early 1969 2-door MG1300 MkII introduced in Denmark.
April Innocenti IM3 with notchback body built (mock-up or prototype only).
Summer Automatic transmission option no longer available on MG 1300 MkII.
June E-series-powered Morris 1500 and Nomad (with five door hatchback body) launched in Australia. Morris 1300 Automatic retains the 1275 cc engine, in New Zealand the cars are sold as Austins.
July Riley 1300 MkII discontinued, due to the demise of the Riley marque.
Autumn Austin America updated with rubber-clad overriders, lighted side-marker lights, BLMC “turbine” emblems just ahead of the doors, smaller headrests, three spoke steering wheel, ignition switch at the steering column, radiator fan made from plastic.
September South African 11/55 models now available with automatic transmission.
October Austin/Morris 1300 GT launched, featuring twin carburettor engine (70 bhp), slightly lowered suspension, vinyl roof, side stripes, black and chrome wheel trims, black grille with two chrome bars, three spoke steering wheel, rev-counter and stiffer seating.
Exact dates unknown Austin 1300 assembly in Novo Mesto (today Slovenia) starts.
MG 1300 with fibreglass body built in Arica (Chile).
1970 September Morris 1500/Nomad made available with 5-speed gearbox.
Autumn Austin America updated with thinner side moulding trim, side marker lights with included reflector, black grille with two chrome strips and “America” script, revised license plate light; cars destined for sale in California and other US states with strict emission control laws had an updated crankcase fume and fuel tank vapour recovery system.
Exact dates unknown Innocenti IM3 discontinued.
Austin and Morris 1300GT introduced in Denmark. Somewhat confusingly, the Morris 1300GT was sold alongside the Morris Marina GT, which was the Danish name for the standard single-carb Morris 1300.
1971 Start of year Innocenti I5 replaces I4/I4S (engine like I4S, bodywork continues to retails MkI fins, black grille with one chrome bar).
January Austin 1300 production begins in Spain.
24 April Austin 1300 Countryman introduced in Spain (replacing the corresponding Morris Traveller models).
September 1100/1300 MkIII models introduced; incorporating black grille (1100 with one chrome strip, 1300 with three strips), revised dashboard with two round instruments (MkIII 1100 2 door models had still the centrally mounted instrument), larger seats. MkIIIs lost the individual boot handles and got a chrome strip with a small push-button opener.
Austin America discontinued. Morris saloons withdrawn from sale in UK, but Traveller continues. MG 1300 now made only for export, in CKD form.
16 September MG-S (also known as MG S 1300) introduced in Spain (with three round instruments, leather steering wheel and leather seats).
End of October Austin ApachŽ announced to the press at Belleville, Cape, South Africa. Code name: “Leykor I”. NB: Early advertisements and press reports about the Apache had the spelling with accent on the e, later ones did not have the accent.
26 November Austin ApachŽ launched in South Africa.
Exact date unknown Austin 1300 Special launched in Yugoslavia (twin carburettor engine).
MG 1300 production in Chile discontinued.
1972 Exact dates unknown Austin 1100 production begins in Spain.
Austin and Morris 1100/1300 known to be in production at the Newmarket plant in New Zealand.
ADO16-type Morris Marina is discontinued in Denmark to make way for the new, Roy Haynes-designed Morris Marina (ADO28). This left just the Austin 1100 and 1300 on sale there.
April Morris 1500/Nomad production discontinued (sold until mid-1972).
October Austin Victoria introduced in Spain (standard models feature rectangular headlamps, whilst the De Luxe has a twin headlamp design).
Year end Innocenti Austin I5 discontinued.
1973 April Wolseley 1300, Morris 1300 Traveller and MG 1300 discontinued.
MG Victoria (83bhp) shown at the Barcelona Motor Show, but did not enter production.
16 May Austin Allegro announced.
19 July Austin Apache TC launched (twin carburettors, 75hp SAE, Rostyle wheels, vinyl roof, chrome side-strip, instrument panel with 3 round dials).
1974 February Austin de Luxe launched in Spain (998cc, 55hp SAE, grille like 1300, dashboard with three round instruments).
Spring SRV5 – a 1300-based safety research vehicle – shown to the press.
June Austin 1100/1300 discontinued.
19 June The last Vanden Plas Princess 1300 is completed at Kingsbury.
9 October Fire in the Authi factory in Landaben.
Exact date unknown Austin Victoria Mk II with front-mounted radiatior produced; featuring electric fan, newly-designed seats incorporating headrests, different dashboard (only pre-production cars, due to the fire the car never entered production).
Austin Victoria discontinued (maybe 9 October 1974, maybe 1975).
1975 January Denmark sells its last Austin 1100/1300s.
February 1,015 Spanish-built, 998cc Austin de Luxe models are the last ADO16s to be sold in Denmark.
First half of year Austin De Luxe discontinued (22 July: Authi factory transferred to SEAT).
1976 May Austin Apache 35 Automatic launched in South Africa as a limited edition with luxury equipment, Harvest Gold exterior with basket-weave vinyl roof, Rostyle wheeels, matt black grille with a single chrome strip across the centre, black rubber overriders and twin chrome exhaust pipes. Interior features dark brown brushed nylon upholstery, with deep-pile carpeting, woodgrain facia housing large twin-dial instrumentation, and Mini GTS-type steering wheel.
Exact date unknown Production in Novo Mesto discontinued.
1977 Exact date unknown Austin Apache discontinued.

This list was originally compiled by Michael Schaefer from a variety of sources; most important were the publications of Declan Berridge and Michael Turner, Graham Arnold’s contributions, Keith Adams’ “World Beater” article, the Topica MG 1100 mailing list (Demetris Bouras and many others), Todd Miller’s Austin America website, www.elevenhundred.com, the books of Roger Gloor and David Knowles, the “Automobil Revue“catalogues, an article by Sandro Colombo found on an Innocenti website and others. Thanks also to Erik Loye, Ryno Verster and Alexander Boucke for their additions.


Keith Adams

2 Comments

  1. I now know of a pair of 1969 mg 1300 mk2 These cars are in in the US. How many do you think are left if only 32,000
    were made. I know they have engine & transmission issues.
    Are there any buyers for these types. They seem to be mostly original & complete —What would they be worth before restoration. I know you have not seen them. a estimate would be fine. Mike

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.