Concepts and prototypes : Longbridge LC10 proposals

19 May 2014 Keith Adams 6

LC10 was a conventional family hatchback in every sense of the word, and followed industry standard thinking in terms of mechanical layout.

However, because of internal politics, lack of resources and the fact that the Metro had to come first, the Maestro seven years to get into production.

Longbridge proposal

The Harris Mann proposal was available in three and five-door versions, and according to people close to the project, it matured into a very nice looking car. It is probably fair to say that politics led to the decision to go with the Beech design, as David Bache was Director of Design for Leyland Cars, when ADO99 was conceived, Solihull was his "home", and it was here that the Maestro took shape.
The Harris Mann proposal was available in three and five-door versions, and according to people close to the project, it matured into a very nice looking car. It is probably fair to say that politics led to the decision to go with the Beech design, as David Bache was Director of Design for Leyland Cars, when ADO99 was conceived, Solihull was his “home”, and it was here that the Maestro took shape.
Keith Adams
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6 Comments

  2. I wonder if any sketches or pictures exist of the facelift considered for the Maestro for probably ’86 or ’87MY.

    I remember it having a much cleaner look with a narrow side scallop running front to rear and a slightly extended rear window with a curved section at the bottom.

    As the majority of the exterior panels would have to change I imagine it was canned due to cost with the money going into the R8 project instead.

    Reply

  3. This design is close to the ideas for the AD088 and with a slight clean up like this car they could have had a range of cars with a family look.

    Reply

  4. i own a 1992 j registered rover 216 cabriolet (Honda engine) registered april 15 1992 , cant find any history on the development or launch date

    Reply

  5. Some really nice sketches in the Current Practical Classics interview with Harris Mann. For what it’s worth I prefer these to the actually Maestro

    Reply

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