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BMC ADO16
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ADO16 is the codename for the development of what became the Morris 1100, a small family car built by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and, later, British Leyland. It was also built in Spain by Authi.
The vehicle was launched as the Morris 1100 on August 15, 1962. The range was expanded to include several rebadged versions, including the twin-carburettor MG 1100, the Vanden Plas Princess (from October 1962), the Austin 1100 (August 1963), and finally the Wolseley 1100 (1965) and Riley Kestrel (1965).
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Encyclopedia
ADO16 is the codename for the development of what became the Morris 1100, a small family car built by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and, later, British Leyland. It was also built in Spain by Authi.
The vehicle was launched as the Morris 1100 on August 15, 1962. The range was expanded to include several rebadged versions, including the twin-carburettor MG 1100, the Vanden Plas Princess (from October 1962), the Austin 1100 (August 1963), and finally the Wolseley 1100 (1965) and Riley Kestrel (1965). The Morris badged 1100/1300 gave up its showroom space to the Morris Marina in 1971, but Austin and Vanden Plas versions remained in production in the UK till June 1974. Throughout the 1960s, the ADO16 was consistently the UK's best-selling car.
In 1964 the 1100 was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year.
The estate version followed in 1966, called Countryman in the Austin version and Traveller in the Morris one, continuing the established naming scheme.
Design and development
The ADO16 (Austin Drawing Office project number 16) was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis. Following his success with the Mini, Issigonis set out to design a larger and more sophisticated car which incorporated even more advanced features and innovations. In common with the Mini, the ADO16 was designed around the BMC A-Series engine, mounted transversely and driving the front wheels. As well as single piston swinging caliper disc brakes at the front, which were not common on mass produced cars in the early 1960s, the suspension system used was the Hydrolastic interconnected fluid system designed by Alex Moulton. The mechanically interconnected Citroen 2CV suspension was assessed in the mid-1950s by Alec Issigonis and Alex Moulton, (according to an interview by Moulton with CAR magazine in the late 1990s), and was an inspiration in the design of the Hydrolastic suspension system for the Mini and Austin 1100, to try to keep the benefits of the 2CV system (ride comfort, body levelling, keeping the roadwheel under good control and the tyre in contact with the road), but with added roll stiffness that the 2cv was very much lacking. Pininfarina, the Italian styling studio which had worked with BMC before on the Austin A40 Farina, were asked to do the styling. It was a masterpiece of packaging having comparable interior space to the much larger Ford Cortina.
Mark I (1962–1967)
The original Mark I models were distinctive for their use of a Hydrolastic suspension. Marketing material highlighted the spacious cabin when compared to competitor models which in the UK by 1964 included the more conservatively configured Ford Anglia, Vauxhall Viva HA and BMC's own still popular Morris Minor.
The Mark I Austin / Morris 1100 was available, initially, only as a four door saloon. Later a three door station wagon became available, but customers looking for a two door saloon would have to await the arrival in 1967 of the Mark II version. An Automotive products (AP) four speed automatic transmission was added as an option in 1965.
Engine
Mark II (1967–1971)
In 1967, a 1275 cc engine was available on MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley models. The Mark II versions of the Austin and Morris models were announced, with the larger engine making it into these two makes' ranges in October 1967 (as the Austin 1300 and Morris 1300). An 1100 version of the Mark II continued alongside the larger engined models.
On the outside, a slightly wider front grille, extending a little beneath the headlights, and with a fussier detailing, differentiated Austin / Morris Mark IIs from their Mark I predecessors, along with a slightly smoother tail light fitting which also found its way onto the FX4 London taxi of the time. Austin and Morris grilles were now identical. All synchromesh manual gearboxes were introduced in 1968.
Mark II versions of the MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley were introduced in October 1968, at which time Riley abandoned the Kestrel name. The Riley 1300 Mark II was cancelled in July 1969, and was the last Riley.
Engine
Mark III (1971–1974)
The Mark III models were introduced in September 1971. The range was gradually reduced, with the MG 1300 dropped in 1971 and the Wolseley 1300 in 1973. The final British ADO16, a Vanden Plas Princess 1300, left the factory on 19 June 1974. The ADO16 was replaced by the Austin Allegro and its Vanden Plas 1500 counterpart. By this time, its original rival, the Ford Cortina, had already grown larger, putting ADO16 into the small, rather than medium-sized class.
ADO16 production overlapped for more than a year with the Allegro.
Engine
ADO16 timeline
- March 1962 - The first Morris 1100 and MG 1100 cars were produced at Cowley.
- 15 August 1962 - Launch of the Morris 1100 four-door saloon in Britain. Two-door saloon for export only.
- August 1962 - The Morris 1100 was exported to Denmark where it went on sale as the Morris Marina. It was initially a slow seller due to a new tax regime that had been introduced in Denmark.
- 2 October 1962 - Launch of the MG 1100 four-door saloon in Britain. Like the Morris 1100, the two-door saloon was reserved for export only. The MG 1100 had a more powerful twin carburettor version of the A Series engine and a more luxurious interior.
- November 1962 - Both models now have rear mud flaps.
- January 1963 - Danish sales for the Morris Marina begin to improve.
- April 1963 - Introduction of the Innocenti IM3. This was an ADO16 assembled on the northern side of Milan, with different front end styling, petrol flap, different bumpers and higher quality interior trim. "IM" was short for "Innocenti-Morris", though the alternative initials "JM" were often used, reflecting those writing styles in which a long 'i' and 'j' can become indistinguishable. The '3' resulted from this being the third BMC model adapted and assembled in Italy by Innocenti.
- September 1963 - Introduction of the Austin 1100, similar to the Morris 1100 but with the traditional 8 wavy bar grille with Austin coat of arms on the bonnet and different interior trim and dashboard.
- October 1963 - Introduction of the Vanden Plas 1100. It was the top of the range model with walnut-veneer dashboard, door cappings, picnic tables in the back of the front seats, Connolly Leather hide upholstery, Wilton carpets and West of England cloth headlining.
- October 1963 - All models had the windscreen washer bottle relocated to prevent it from freezing up.
- November 1963 - Carpets were replaced by rubber mats.
- 17 February 1964 - Launch of the Morris 1100 in Australia. It had a total of thirty-seven different modifications to make it suitable for Australian terrain, including a modified interior for greater comfort. A bench front seat was fitted, with the handbrake moved to a position between the driver's side of the seat and the door. A long, bent gear lever was used to clear the middle of the seat. Externally, over-riders were fitted to both the front and rear bumper bars and, as an optional extra, a solid or metal mesh sun visor could be fitted to the top windscreen arch to help "protect the front seat occupants from eye strain caused by direct sun rays." Another optional extra was a metal vertically slatted "Venetian Shade" which could be fitted internally to the back window. This was intended to prevent the interior becoming too hot.
- September 1964 - Revisions: all models have diaphragm spring clutch, improved heater, crush style sun visors and plastic framed rear view mirror.
- 1964 (March 12–22) - Introduction of the Innocenti J4 at the Torino Motor Show. The front end styling was very similar to the Morris 1100 sold in the UK. It was fitted with the straight eight bar grille, and similar side lamps, but with clear lenses.
- Late 1964/early 1965 - Launch of the MG Princess in the USA. 154 cars were sold.
- January 1965 - Introduction of the Crayford estate conversions of the ADO16.
- September 1965 - Introduction of the Wolseley 1100 and Riley Kestrel, both of which were mechanically similar to the MG 1100. The Wolseley had a strip speedometer, while the Riley Kestrel had round dials and a rev counter.
- October 1965 - Optional four-speed automatic transmission available on the Austin and Morris versions.
- Late 1965: Introduction of the Mystique conversion by Creech Motors in Somerset.
- March 1966 - Morris 1100 Traveller and Austin 1100 Countryman launched at the Geneva Motor Show.
- May 1966 - Reclining front seats become available on all 1100s. When specified on the Traveller and Countryman the interior could be converted into a double bed as pictured.
- July 1966 - The Innocenti IM3S launched. The model lost over-riders, and was fitted with a different grille.
- Mid-1966 - Longbridge had developed a hatchback version of the Australian Morris 1500 known as the Nomad. This model would be launched in Australia in June 1969, but would be never sold in the UK.
- September 1966 - Morris 1100 production begins in Spain, using interior supplied from Innocenti.
- Early 1967 - 264 MG 1100 two door saloons were sent to Ireland in CKD form.
- May 1967 - Introduction of the Austin 1100 Countryman and Morris 1100 Traveller in South Africa.
- June 1967 - The 1275 cc engine became an optional extra on the MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley versions, in single carburettor form. These models were specifically badged up using the 1275 cc badging.
- Summer 1967 - End of American sales of MG 1100. The Austin 1100 would be used as a place holder until the Austin America in 1968. The Austin 1100 featured a single large speedometer fitted in the centre of dashboard, similar to that fitted in De Luxe versions of the Morris / Austin 1100 Mark II and 1300.
- August 1967 - Launch of the Morris 1100 S in Australia, with the 1275 cc engine.
- October 1967 - Launch of the 1100 Mark II models, with cropped rear fins (saloon models only), ventilated wheels, indicator side repeater lamps fitted to the front wings. A revised interior was also fitted. Austin and Morris versions had revised styling at the front end being fitted with a wider grille. Austin and Morris badges were relocated from the bonnet to the grille. Morris model now fitted with black crackle dashboard similar to the Austin. Rocker switches fitted instead of toggle switches on both models. Estate versions gain a simulated wood effect side trim. Still have Mark I styling at the rear. Introduction of the 1300 models, similar to the 1100 Mark II but with 1275 cc, engine and different front grilles. Morris, Austin and MG 1300 available in two and four door, while the Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley continued in four door. MG, Riley, Vanden Plas, Wolseley models were available with automatic transmission. Jensen convertible shown at the London Motor show. It was based around an Austin 1100 Countryman.
- November 1967 - A batch of fift 1100 vans had been produced. Model never made it into production.
- June 1969 - Australian Morris 1100 production ended, being replaced by the Morris 1500 and Morris Nomad. Nearly 90,000 had been built, all at the BMC Zetland, New South Wales factory.
ADO16 overseas
The car was sold with various names in different markets.
In Spain it was sold as Morris, Austin and MG, starting production in the Pamplona Authi (Automóviles de Turismo Hispano Ingleses) factory in 1966,, and evolving by 1972 into the Austin Victoria.
In Denmark the ADO16 bore the Morris Marina name. The MG models were sold as the MG Sports Sedan there, as it was in North America from 1962, and was available with a two-door bodyshell that would not be available in the UK until 1968. The Vanden Plas Princess was briefly the MG Princess 1100 in North America, while that market also saw an unusual two-door Austin 1100 (with a hybrid of Mark I and Mark II components).
The Austin America was sold in the US, Canada and Switzerland between 1968 and 1972 and featured a 1275 cc engine.
The ADO16 also formed the basis of the Australian Morris 1500 sedan, Morris 1300 sedan and Morris Nomad five door, the Italian Innocenti Morris IM3 and Austin I4 and I5, the more powerful South African Austin, Morris and Wolseley 11/55 and Austin Apache and the Spanish Austin Victoria and the Austin de Luxe of 1974 to 1977, which had a 998 cc engine.
The Austin Apache was produced until 1977, the last of the ADO16 line.
ADO16 in popular culture
The British comedian John Cleese immortalised a red Austin 1300 estate in the Fawlty Towers episode "Gourmet Night": the car breaks down and in frustration he attacks it with a tree branch. He also drove a Morris 1100 in the film Clockwise. That film may also highlight the confusion over the numerous badge engineered versions of the car, when the character Mrs Wisely tries to give a description of the car to the police: "Well is it a Morris or is it an 1100? I don't know?!"
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