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Model Series – Fun Ho! – Austin 1100
Our model series last week took us to New Zealand with Fun-Ho! and that’s where we continue today...
... 1965 had seen Fun Ho! introduce its first ADO16 in the Midget range, a Morris 1100 – the following year, 1966 saw an Austin 1100 join the catalogue. Fun Ho! clearly understood the importance of badge engineering, besides the packaging the only way to distinguish between the two models was by identifying the front grille.
Mind you, we’re not so sure about the 1968 advertising – girls enjoy toys too!
With special thanks to toysnz.com
We’re the global umbrella for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries and with a Facebook Group in excess of 2,750 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
This week’s cover image – with the eyes of the world currently on Japan for the Tokyo Olympics we thought we’d go there too; ADO16 spotting isn’t yet an Olympic sport but as a demonstration event we’ve come up with this super cool Austin 1100.
Want Those Mags!!!
This week’s cover image – with the eyes of the world currently on Japan for the Tokyo Olympics we thought we’d go there too; ADO16 spotting isn’t yet an Olympic sport but as a demonstration event we’ve come up with this super cool Austin 1100.
ADO16 Knee Protection – Lintafoam
If you’ve ever sat in the front of an ADO16 then you will have sat next to a Lintafoam product although we doubt many of you knew that!
From what we can establish a company called Lintafelt was established in Loudwater, High Wycombe in 1937 – High Wycombe was at the time the UK’s leading centre for chair making and Lintafoam was a new product, a cotton & wool blend upholstery felt, ideal for upholstery filling and padding; it is a product still produced today.
In 1946, the company was renamed Lintafoam (Loudwater) Limited and continued until 1987 when it was dissolved. Interestingly, 1949 saw the establishment of Lintafoam (Manchester) Limited as a dormant company and it continues to be registered today. It’s also our understanding that the Guthrie Corporation became owners of Lintafoam (Loudwater) Limited and that Lintafoam introduced products such as Tredaire and Duralay which are also still available.
We know of only one ADO16 advert by Lintafoam but the advert’s text makes it very clear what the association was and presumably Lintafoam continued to be the supplier until the ADO16 went out of production.
With special thanks to Graces Guide.
We’re the global umbrella for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries and with a Facebook Group in excess of 2,750 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
Switzerland National Day
Today we celebrate Swiss National Day (Schweizer Bundesfeiertag; Fête nationale Suisse; Festa nazionale svizzera; Fiasta naziunala svizra) by showing again a rather special brochure...
...dating back to 1969 but showing some 1968 images, this is a Swiss Austin America brochure – of course we prefer to create new posts but equally posts such as this do sometimes unearth new information.
Outside of North America, Switzerland was the only other market which saw the Austin America – well that’s what this brochure suggests but in truth we’re yet to see any period images from Switzerland of an Austin America, let alone hear about a survivor!
We’re the global umbrella for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries and with a Facebook Group in excess of 2,750 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
My hunch is that the America was a bit of a "PR move" in Switzerland as it had lower emissions (due to the federalized engine) - which was a hot topic at the time with the Swiss,,. But the regular 1100/1300 range sold alongside it - and quite successfully at that time in Switzerland (BL had almost 10% market share in 1969). A little bit like how in the 90s some makers offered a special "Catalyst" model. But that's more guesswork than hard fact 😏
Interesting to see the main picture is RHD and the rest, which would be correct is LHD. Those are snow tyres I presume? She must have sung like a Land Rover on smooth tar!! 😀
I once owned an Austin America that I bought here in the UK over ten years ago. It was a 1971 model that had never made it to the States or Switzerland for that matter. It was right hand drive and there was no sign of it having ever been converted. It was all correct though, head rests, air pump, dual circuit brakes, the lot. Given that it had a Birmingham reg on it (XOE 937J) I’m guessing that it was sold originally to a Longbridge employee. Although it was getting ripe when I bought it, it was too good to scrap but alas I had to let it go - too many projects, growing business etc. I sold it to a guy who had every intention of restoring it but that was nine years ago and it’s never returned to the road. I regret selling it especially given the interest in these cars today but that’s life!
I saw one in the UK on the road must have been around 1970. I remember pointing it out to my Dad who explained what it was
Look at those tyres!
When was the Austin America dropped from the Swiss market? I've seen a Swiss press kit from BL from 1971 and there's no mention of the AA. It featured the Austin/Morris 1100/1300 however.
The Austin America was my fathers first car. He bought it in Bern/Switzerland and eventually tradet it in for a Spitfire. He loved the headrest of the comfy seat that was a true nuovum back then. The only survivor from that era is this exact brochure and a bit of an Austin enthousiasm that swapped over to me😉 Today I happen to own 5 Austins but no ADO16. Guess the 1300GT would fit perfectly the team in that mustard yellowish colour (bronze yellow). Just love it 😍 Happy Swiss Nationalday to everyone!
Look at those frontwheel tyres😮
That bizarre colour was available for the AUTHI Mini Cooper 1300 in Spain
What car what a icon
