ADO68: Project Condor
Devised at the Pressed Steel Fisher styling studios in Cowley by Roy Haynes, this series of production car-based sporting coupés was intended to add glamour to BLMC’s range of cars in a relatively inexpensive way.
Rather like the Ford Capri’s relationship with the Cortina, the Condor cars were to be mechanically identical to their donor cars, with only the styling setting them apart. As can be seen in this gallery, the success of these projects was rather mixed.
ADO68/28
(Picture: "Men and Motors of the Austin", Barney Sharratt). (Picture: "MG: The Untold Story", by David Knowles).
ADO68/14
ADO68/14 clay model. Although this Harris Mann-styled car was Maxi-based, it clearly predicts the style of the Princess, which Mann had just started work on. (Picture: "MG: The Untold Story", by David Knowles).
ADO68/67
Undoubtedly the least successful of the three ADO68 versions, this Allegro-based attempt doesn't really have anything to recommend it. This car's grille arrangement calls to mind that of the Fiat 124 coupé, while its twin-headlight arrangement eventually surfaced on the swansong Allegro 3, although some European-market cars were thus-equipped much earlier. (Picture: "MG: The Untold Story", by David Knowles).
Written with reference to "MG: The Untold Story", by David Knowles.
Related pages: