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14th May, 1968 – British Leyland
Although the announcement of the formation of British Leyland had been made earlier in the year, the 14th of May, 1968 saw British Leyland come into actual existence...
...of course most of you are well aware of the changes to the ADO16 that occurred under the British Leyland management so we thought we’d take the opportunity today to post something a little different.
Where did the ADO16 sit within the wider British Leyland range? Well have a look at this range brochure from 50- years ago; the 1971 British Leyland range may surprise some of you.
We are the only global umbrella club for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries with a Facebook Group approaching 2,650 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
Russia – 1974, Morris 1300 Samara – Beyond Belief!
May, 2019 was a quiet month for Denis and the restoration of his 1974, Morris 1300 GT in Arkhangelsk, in the far north of Russia but work continued with the scuttle...
...having welded into place the top portion Denis now fixed the lower section – we can’t print the comments Denis made; suffice it to say Denis was not enjoying this aspect of his restoration!
Denis now felt it was time to address the bulkhead itself it would strengthen the fitting of the scuttle but clearly in order to achieve correct alignment the doors and front wings would need to be attached to serve as reference points.
Remember the issues Denis had faced with the driver’s door not fitting the aperture, and then how Andrei had come to the rescue? Well the door again didn’t fit! Denis was astonished – what on earth had happened?
Denis was aware that seam welding of the sills could result in metal stretching but he measured everything now and compared the figures to the measurements taken before any work had commenced – everything seemed correct – it was just too much for Denis; really he was fed up and forgot the way to his garage lock-up for the best part of a month.
Denis was now 3-years into his restoration and began to reflect on matters – mainly he could see that much would have to be re-done, particularly in the steering department. He also had to create a bulkhead, sort out the pedal assembly and then how would he mount the wiper motor assembly – Denis was not having a good time of it all.
Something positive was required so Denis turned to his Lada engine and in particular the Japanese motorcycle Keihin carburettors but as he began to look more closely at the internet it turned out there was almost nothing with any meaningful detail. Matters weren’t looking too good but Denis went to his local bookstore to find a manual for the engine – and, like manner from heaven there was a Haynes Manual in Russian entitled Motorcycle Fuel Systems (топливные системы мотоциклов), what’s more is the manual focused on the very Keihin carburettors Denis had!
Excitement led to a couple of eBay purchases and Denis hugged everyone!
We are the only global umbrella club for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries with a Facebook Group approaching 2,650 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
South Africa, 1973 – Launch of the Austin Apache TC
When Leyland Suid-Afrika discontinued the MG 1100-S at the end of 1969 that also marked the end of twin carburettors for an ADO16 in South Africa, not that many had experienced the performance as the MG had sold in very low numbers but in 1973 twin carburettors again became available...
...July, 1973 saw the launch of the Austin Apache TC – the model featured twin SU HS2 carburettors and most importantly there was an 11-stud cylinder head with 9.75:1 compression. Producing 70bhp the Austin Apache TC essentially had the same power plant as the UK produced MG and Riley 1300 Mark II, which was then installed in the 1300 GT models.
The fascia and steering wheel of the Apache TC was the same as seen in the 1300 GT but the Apache TC seats with partial cloth covering were more upmarket. All Apache models were now fitted with an alternator and also the rod change gearbox; and we think ahead of the UK change, inner CV pot-joints were introduced.
With special thanks to Dean Gray and Martin Williamson & www.austinapache.co.uk and to Kevin Hogan.
We are the only global umbrella club for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries with a Facebook Group approaching 2,650 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
Looking forward to your coverage of the Apache 35 - possibly the only car where the cloth fabric of the seats was used to cover the steering wheel hub also 😏
I think this was the only mini based car to have a LCB exhaust branch as standard.
I have an Austin Apache. I'm in need of parts. Anyone here possibly able to help me?
I would say they are very collectible status. The Apache was an amazing car. The TC and the last of the line 35 was collectible then.. to me that is. Lol. The Apache boot was huge. I remember the exhaust on standard Apaches was at the side but on the TC was centre.
a great mix of body parts and a dose of badge engineering! BL style but one of the better oddities
It looks so similar to the Triumph Chicane..
Will they ever reach collectble status?
Model Series – Telsalda – Morris 1100
A number of toy companies in Hong Kong have in the past made plastic copies of European die-cast models, often without permission. One of the older companies in Hong Kong was Telsalda and they produced a rather interesting Morris 1100...
...the Telsalda Morris 1100 (Model 20684) was available in a number of colours and had a friction motor, it also featured an opening boot, two pieces of luggage and a separate spare wheel as well as a detachable roof rack.
We are the only global umbrella club for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries with a Facebook Group approaching 2,650 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
Presumably these were manufactured in the 1960's as the boxes state that the products are "Empire made"?
This week’s cover image – under British Leyland the most important ADO16 development was arguably the 1300 GT but the image most widely seen of the model is probably this one; drawn by Terry Davey of Haynes Manuals.
