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The Austin Collection print gallery |
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 Austin A30/35 '51-'59 |
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This was
Austin's riposte to the Morris Minor. A great little car... but lethal handling in even a gentle crosswind due to its thin tyres and a narrow track. A super saloon car racer for its day though. Strong body resists rusting... one sat on our front drive for many years with no deterioration to speak of! A30 1951 - 1956 2/4 door saloon 803cc Production 223,264 A35 1956 - 1959 2/4 door saloon 948cc Production 129,245 |
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 Austin A40/50/55 '54-'58 |
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Austin's car
for all seasons... conservative in style and a good seller for the Longbridge based firm. 1200cc. A40 and 1489cc A50/55. It was susceptible to the tin worm! Production for all models 155,521 |
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 Austin A55 Twin-Tone '54-'58 |
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| The posh version of the A55 for those wanting to impress the neighbours. | |||||||||
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 Austin Mini mk1/mkII/mkIII (light or dark shading) |
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The legendary ADO15 classic design from Alex Issigonis, the most technically influential car in the history of the British motor industry. Originally sold as the Austin Seven for £496 together with the more expensive Morris Mini Minor. Built as a Mk1 from 1959 -1967, Mk II 1967 -1969, Mk III 1969. Mini became a brand in its own right during 1969. A legend in its own lifetime! |
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 Austin Mini Countryman mk1 + mk3 (light or dark shading) |
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Countryman for Austin, Traveller for Morris. The wood is just for decoration and not structural as in the Morris 1000 Traveller. Longer wheelbase than saloon with a quite impressive carrying capacity. Nice little cars to be seen in. |
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 Austin Sprite '71 |
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A cost cutting model from the newly created cash strapped British Leyland by cutting out royalty payments to the Healey family and badging the Sprite simply as an Austin. Only 1022 ever made before the plug was pulled.... a real rarity today as few survive... and I've got one of them! |
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 Austin 1100 '63-'74 |
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Development of the Mini, and a runaway success for BMC but never achieved the
cult status of the Mini The Austin appeared a year later than the Morris. Alas they rusted the same way as the Morris..... quickly! Production for Mk1 388,800 MkII/III 731,000 |
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 Austin Allegro 1973 - 1982 |
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What can I say... British Leyland
encapsulated in one model! The 1100/1300's replacement lacked a hatchback and was out of touch with what the public wanted from the word go. Production figures reached only 650,000 in ten years. Build quality was disasterous which was a shame for the car because it was basically OK ! Has a strong following today though. |
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 Austin Allegro Vanden Plas 1500 |
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When you think of the Princess 4 litre and all the coachbuilt limousines that
had gone before it ... how could they! |
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| The Austin 'M' Collection | |||||||||
 Austin Metro |
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A stylish 80's 3 door hatchback update of the Mini theme.... and an instant
success. (Our family owned three) Front wheel drive, transverse engine. 998cc. Good for 85 mph if pushed hard. A characterful little British car in its day, well built with plenty of room inside. Also badged as an MG. |
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 Austin Maestro |
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The Maestro,
second of the 'M' series... followed in the Metro's footsteps during 1983. A popular hatchback with a 1275cc pushrod unit or the new 'R' series overhead camshaft 1598cc engine. Well built and well appointed but alas couldn't compete with the mighty Fords. Uprated MG and Vanden-Plas versions on offer. Owned a Vanden-Plas with early digital speedo and voice synthesizer. Brilliant... it always worked perfectly for me! |
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 Austin Montego |
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BL's 1984 answer to the Ford Cortina repmobile. A stretched version of the Maestro with a boot. Never really hit the spot. Had one of these too; comfortable and nice to drive but much preferred the older Maestro! A hotted up MG version was available. |
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'We all know small cars are good for us... but so is cod liver oil!' Jeremy Clarkson |
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