Austin

In August 1962 the Morris 1100 was launched. The range was expanded to include several rebadged versions: the MG 1100 (September 1962), the Austin 1100 (August 1963), the Vanden Plas Princess 1100 (October 1963) and finally the Wolseley 1100 and Riley Kestrel (September 1965). Code named ADO16 (Amalgamated Drawing Office project 16), the car was designed by Alec Issigonis. Following his success with the Mini, Issigonis set out to design a larger and more sophisticated car which incorporated more advanced features and innovations. Pininfarina, the Italian styling studio that had worked with BMC before on the Austin A40 Farina, was commissioned to style the car. The original models were distinctive for their use of a Hydrolastic suspension, inspired by the mechanically interconnected Citroen 2CV suspension. It was a highly succesful model, with 2.1 million units sold. In the UK it was the best-selling car from 1963 to 1966 and from 1968 to 1971.

See also: MG 1100, 1300 / Morris 1100, 1300 / Vanden Plas Princess / Wolseley 1100, 1300

In October 1967 the range was expanded with the Austin 1300, with the 1,275 cc engine first used in the Mini Cooper S and Austin-Healey Sprite. The Mk II was recognizable by the slightly wider front grille, extending a little beneath the headlights. At the London Motor Show in October 1969 the Austin / Morris 1300 GT was introduced, featuring the same 1,275 cc engine, but with a black full width grille, a black vinyl roof and a black metal strip along the side. This was BMC's answer to the Ford Escort GT and its Vauxhall counterpart.

1970

In September 1971 the Mk III models were introduced. There were only minor modifications like a new grille, better seats and a new instrument panel. Production continued until June 1974, a year after the launch of the Austin Allegro which would become its successor.