If you’re here of your own freewill, you probably know what the the ADO16 is. If, however, you’ve stumbled across the site via Google and you’re not sure what we’re talking about – here’s a potted history.
The ADO16 is a range of small family cars built by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and, later, British Leyland. The initials ADO were long believed to mean Amalgamated Drawing Office, but more recent research points instead to Austin Drawing Office – reflecting the Longbridge design office from which BMC’s ADO project-numbering system originated. Launched in 1962, the ADO16 became Britain’s best-selling car from 1963 to 1966 and again from 1968 to 1971. It was marketed under a variety of marques and model names, although the Austin and Morris versions were by far the most prolific.
Designed under Alec Issigonis, following his remarkable success with the Mini, the ADO16 took the same space-efficient thinking and developed it into a larger, more sophisticated family car. Its BMC A-Series engine was mounted transversely and drove the front wheels, while front disc brakes – still unusual on mass-produced family cars in the early 1960s – and Alex Moulton’s Hydrolastic interconnected suspension system helped make the ADO16 technically advanced for its time.
Production starts
The vehicle was launched as the Morris 1100 on 15 August 1962. The range was expanded to include several rebadged versions, including the twin-carburettor MG 1100 (introduced at the end of September 1962), the Austin 1100 (August 1963), the Vanden Plas Princess 1100 (October 1963) and finally the Wolseley 1100 (1965) and Riley Kestrel (1965).
The Morris 1100 was the first of the ADO16 varieties to hit Britains roads, but it wouldn’t be long before it would be joined with other badged versions.
The three-door estate version followed in 1966, called the Austin Countryman and Morris Traveller. Famously an Austin 1100 Countryman appeared in the Fawlty Towers episode “Gourmet Night”, in which the short-tempered owner of Fawlty Towers Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) gave it a “damn good thrashing”. This episode was first shown in October 1975.
In 1964 the 1100 was Wheels magazine’s Car of the Year.
For most of its production life, the ADO16 was Britain’s best selling car.
End of an era
It was announced in May 1972 that the 1100/1300 range would be replaced by 1974. British Leyland had just finished fine tuning the new Austin Allegro & Morris Marina. In April 1973, BL began to axe the ADO16, the Wolseley 1300 was discontinued from the range. Followed by the Austin 1100/1300 in May 1974. The last car to roll from the production line was the Vanden Plas in June 1974, when the 1500 Allegro was launched.
The ADO16 range ended up looking rather decimated by the early 1970’s.
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