After the formation of BMC, Australia became an increasingly important market for the company, with models imported from the UK giving way firstly to local assembly of CKD (completely knocked down) kits, and later full assembly of models either adapted or specifically developed for the local market.
Minis and 1100s lined up outside BMC’s 63-acre factory at Victoria Park, Sydney, in the mid-1960s
The Zetland factory in Sydney, as photographed from the air…
ADO16 in Australia
| Down Under, after selling the standard Morris 1100 for a while, BMC started producing some interesting local variations on the ADO16 theme. First came the Morris 1500, which featured a modifed front end to go with its uprated engine. But the 1500 Nomad which followed boasted an altogether more significant modification… |  |
The X6 Kimberley/Tasman
| The Australian and New Zealand markets were treated to a sensible saloon version of the 1800, and significantly, they were also treated to the E6 engine two years before customers back in England. |  |
E-Series Marinas
| So why did the Australians and South Africans use OHC E-Series engines in the Marina? |  |
| Picture kindly supplied by Scott Williams |
Leyland P76, Force 7 and P82
| The P76 saloon was intended to allow Leyland to compete with the big boys in Australia; it should have been joined by coupe and estate versions, and followed-up with a smaller model, the P82 (to replace the Marina). Instead, production came to an abrupt end, with the coupe never reaching the showroom, the estate still a prototype and the P82 still on the drawing board. |  |
Rover Quintet
| The first Ronda… a Quintet by another name… |  |
Rover 416
| An interesting Honda/Rover effort: JRA (Jaguar Rover Australia) approached Honda to import a five-door version of the Integra; in 1985, both the original Honda Integra (three-door) and the Rover 416i (five-door) were launched on the Australian market. Badging reflected the style of the XX, which at that time was still being produced in Japan for Asia–Pacific markets.Thanks to Jack Yan for this information
|
 |
Editor and creator AROnline at AROnline
Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
Latest posts by Keith Adams (see all)
- Concepts and prototypes : Hyundai/Rover Oden (1992) - 9 November 2023
- Opinion : So, maybe the Montego was the best they could do… - 8 November 2023
- The cars : Austin Montego (LM11) development story - 7 November 2023
Be the first to comment