The Aussie 1800
BMC (AUSTRALIA) NEWS
The British Motor Corporation
(Australia) Pty Ltd.
Joynton Avenue, Zetland
NSW.
Public Relations Office
Phone 663-0321 ext 364.
Embargoed until Midnight
20 November 1965.
BMC ANNOUNCES THE AUSTIN
1800
The Austin 1800, the latest
and biggest vehicle to follow the basic design concept of BMC's Mini
and 1100 models, will be released throughout Australia on November
22.
A wide 5 to 6 seater saloon,
the Austin 1800 has more interior space and legroom than any car of
comparable size. It gives 25 to 30 mpg economy, 90 mph performance
and has a host of safety features.
The car is being built
by the British Motor Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd at Victoria Park,
Zetland.
Features of the Austin
1800 include:
* East-west
engine with front-wheel drive.
* Hydrolastic
suspension.
* The
strongest body of any mass-produced motor car.
* Three-point
seatbelts as standard equipment for the driver and front seat passenger
with seatbelt mounting points at the rear.
* Camping
body with fully reclining individual front seats.
* Heater
demister, plus fresh air vents for driver and passenger.
* Power-assisted
brakes with discs at the front and a 'G'-conscious valve to prevent
rear-wheel locking.
* Radial
ply tyres for better performance, safety and longer tyre life.
* Fully
rustproof construction by BMC's exclusive 'rotodip' process.
The new vehicle follows
the BMC Mini and Morris 1100 concept of maximum interior space for
its overall size. Because the engine is placed sideways across the
body and drives direct through the front wheels, extraordinary space
is available in a car that is only 13 feet 8.25 inches long. Seventy
percent of the overall length is devoted to passenger or luggage space.
With virtually no overhang,
the new Austin is shorter overall, yet has more legroom than other
popular cars in its price group. Its rear seat is 56 inches wide,
accommodating 3 large adults with ease. Legroom for rear passengers
is 13 inches even when the adjustable front seats are set as far back
as they will go.
The Austin 1800 has met
with considerable success overseas. It was introduced in Britain in
October 1964 and was judged 'Car of the Year' by European motoring
writers
------------------------------
Photo Courtesy National
Archives Australia - A1200 - L69808
AUSTRALIAN CHANGES
Tests of the car under
Australian conditions have been in progress for 12 months. As a
result of these tests several changes have been made to the model now
in production at Victoria Park.
These changes include such
items as the layback seats; deeper seat padding; front door armrests;
seatbelts as standard equipment; more direct steering ratio; more progressive
throttle linkage operation and features designed to make the car more
suitable for rough country use. These include the fitting of a sump
guard, increased trim heights and improved dust and water sealing.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Power unit of the Austin
1800 is a 1798 cc. 4 cylinder engine that features a 5 bearing
crankshaft to give smoother running and longer engine life.
The motor - basically the
MG 'B' unit - develops 84 bhp.
Maximum speed is 91 mph
with 0-50 mph acceleration in 11 seconds. Under favourable touring conditions,
petrol consumption should approximate 30 miles per gallon.
The engine is in unit with
a 4 speed all-synchromesh gearbox. A new design of engine mounting, combined
with the use of control cables linking the gearbox to the floor mounted
gear lever, helps to insulate the car interior from engine noise.
DRAUGHT PROOF VENTILATION
A high-input fresh air
system allows a large amount of fresh air to be brought into the car with
the windows closed.
Complete control over its
warmth and direction of flow can be gained by joint use of the heater
demister and the adjustable (direction and flow) air grilles at each side
of the fascia. Because of this, quarter windows on the front doors have
been eliminated. This improves forward vision. Hinged rear quarter windows
provide full flow ventilation when used in conjunction with heater demister
and fresh air system.
FROM THE DRIVERS
SEAT
A ribbon-type speedometer
with odometer, also combines water temperature and fuel gauges. Warning
lights on the right of the fascia include a low oil pressure, renewal
of oil filter, high beam indicator and generator charge. There is
a manually operated windscreen washer.
A headlamp flasher is incorporated
in the self-cancelling direction flasher switch. The turning indicator
warning light automatically dims when the sidelights are on.
A dual intensity control
automatically diminishes the brightness of brake lights and turning signals
at night.
The full width fascia's
upper surface is trimmed in black vinyl-coated fabric to eliminate glare
and incorporates an upper and lower padded crash roll. A third crash roll
is fitted on the full width parcel shelf below the fascia. An ashtray
is fitted into the fascia top panel with two ashtrays provided for rear
passengers.
Dual padded sun visors
are fitted. A tinted interior rearvision mirror is used to reduce glare.
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES
The now famous Hydrolastic
suspension system is used on the 1800. With rubber suspension units liquid
filled and inter-connected front to rear, a remarkably level ride is obtained,
coupled with superb roadholding.
Continuously self-adjusting,
the 9.25" diameter front disc brakes combine with equally large rear drum
brakes to provide adequate stopping power for the car's 90 mph performance.
A 'G'-sensitive valve in
the hydraulic system reduces the possibility of locking the rear wheels
during emergency braking.
BUILT TO LAST
By employing the stiffest
structure ever used for this category of family car, BMC have aimed not
only at safety, but also increased longevity and freedom from distortion
and rattles over long mileages.
The designers believe it
is unlikely that the model concept will be obsolete even in 10 years time.
AUSTIN 1800 SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: Water cooled, overhead
valve, 4 cylinder. Five bearing crankshaft, counter balanced and fitted
with vibration damper. In unit with clutch, gearbox and final drive, installed
transversely at front of car, sump guard. Bore 3.26 in. (80.26 mm), stroke
3.5 in. (88.9 mm), cubic capacity 109.75 cu in. (1,798 cc); compression
ratio 8.2:1. Maximum power 84 bhp at 5,300 rpm. Maximum torque 99 lb ft
at 2,100 rpm.
Fuel System: SU carburettor, type HS6
with paper element air cleaner and warm air intake. SU electric fuel pump,
type SR Fuel filter in pump and tank. Tank capacity 10.5 gallons. Locking
petrol filler cap.
Lubrication System: Full pressure feed. Sump
forms oil bath for gearbox and final drive, internal gear type pump driven
by camshaft, external full flow filter, gauze filter in sump with internal
magnet, total oil capacity 13.75 pints plus 1.25 pints for external filter.
Ignition System: 12 volt coil and distributor
with automatic and vacuum-controlled advance and retard.
Cooling System: Closed pressurised system
with expansion tank, pump, fan and thermostat.
Capacity 8.5 pints, plus
1 pint for heater.
Transmission: Clutch, single dry plate
8 inch diameter, with diaphragm spring plate, hydraulic operation by pendant
pedal. Four speed gearbox with synchromesh on first, second, third and
top. Central gear lever rubber insulated from body floor and operating
box by flexible cables. Final drive casing in unit with engine and gearbox,
ratio 4.19:1 (16/67). Drive to front wheels via helical spur gears and
open drive shafts with universal joints.
GEAR
RATIOS GEARBOX FINAL
DRIVE OVERALL ROAD
SPEEDS
@
1,000 rpm
Reverse
3.075:1 -- 12.88:1 --
First 3.292:1 -- 13.79:1 4.98
mph
Second
2.217:1 --
9.29:1 7.39
mph
Third
1.384:1 --
5.80:1 11.84
mph
Top
1.00:1 4.19:1(16/67) 4.19:1 16.39
mph
Steering: Rack and pinio, 3.8 turns
lock to lock. 2-spoke 16.5" diameter steering wheel.
Track (front) 4 feet 8
inches. Track (rear) 4 feet 7.5 inches. Turning circle 37 feet.
Suspension: Front - Independent with
upper and lower arms and locating tie-rods, swivel axles mounted on ball-joints.
Hydrolastic displacers (inter-connected front to rear) mounted horizontally
in front suspension tube across front of bulkhead. Rear - Independent
with trailing arms incorporating Hydrolastic displacers, anti-roll bar
fitted to rear suspension.
Brakes: Footbrake - hydraulically
operated by pendant pedal servo-assisted. Front disc 9 9/32" diameter, self-adjusting.
Rear 9 " x 1.75" drums with leading and trailing shoes. A 'G'-conscious
pressure reducing valve is fitted between front and rear brakes to provide
balanced braking effort.
Handbrake lever operates
on rear wheels only.
Road Wheels: Pressed steel, 5 stud fixing.
175 x 13" radial ply tubeless tyres.
Electrical: High output dynamo with
current and voltage control, 12 volt 50 ampere hour battery at 20 hour
rate. Double-dipping sealed beam headlamps with foot operated dipswitch,
headlamp flasher incorporated in direction flasher switch. Side lamps
in unit with separate flasher lamps, small repeater flashers on the sides
of the front guards, rear lamps in unit with separate flashers and reflectors.
The stop lights automatically dim when sidelights are on. The self cancelling
flasher switch lever incorporates a warning light, which is automatically
dimmed when the sidelights are on. Twin lamps for rear number plate are
wired so that the failure of one does not affect the other. Twin blade,
self switching windscreen wipers. Dual wind-tone horn with push button
in steering wheel centre. An interior light on door centre pillar with
manual switch and courtesy switches on the front doors. Concealed illumination
for instruments. Interior boot light.
Instruments: Ribbon-type speedometer
with mileage recorder combined with water temperature and fuel gauges.
Head-side lamp switch, combined ignition and starter switch, warning lights
show low oil pressure, dirty oil filter, headlamp high beam and generator
not charging. Manually operated windscreen washer.
Coachwork: 5 seater, 4 door 6 light saloon, of all steel unitary construction. Full width fascia incorporating instruments, switches and warning lights. The upper surface is trimmed in black vinyl coated fabric to eliminate glare and incorporates an upper and lower padded crash roll. A third crash roll is on the full width parcel shelf which is below the fascia, an ashtray is fitted in the fascia top panel and two are provided in the front seat backs for rear passengers. Single interior tinted mirror. Dual padded sun visors. Separate front seats, both adjustable for leg reach and for squab angle. Squabs can be adjusted horizontally to align with rear cushion to give sleeping position. Cushions and squabs comprise rubber diaphragms with polyether pad trimmed in leather-like expanded vinyl. Rear seat has metal seat pan with full depth polyether pads; rear squab is full depth polyether pad, trimmed in leather-like expanded vinyl. Parcel shelf of large dimensions behind rear seat squab. Doors hung at forward edges by concealed hinges, all doors fitted with curved wind-down safety glass windows: both front doors fitted with outside private locks, rear doors have children's safety catches; large open pockets on front doors and smaller ones to rear doors. Door casings trimmed in vinyl coated fabric. Armrests on all doors. Floor completely covered in luxurious tufted pile carpet. Roof lining of moulded fibreglass faced with vinyl coated fabric. Curved, toughened plateglass for windscreen and back light, both mounted in rubber mouldings with bright plastic exterior finishers and rear opening quarter lights. Windscreen incorporates a modified safety zone. Provision for fitting a radio. Three point safety belts fitted to front seats; built in anchorage points for 3 point safety belts in rear. Lockable 17 cu. ft. boot at rear, fully lined. Lift-up spring assisted lid with concealed hinge, interior boot lamp. Spare wheel carried in wind-down tray below boot floor. Chromium plated bumpers, with over-riders front and rear. Cant-rail grab handles for rear passengers; coathook on R/H, cant-rail in rear, wheel disc; sill-tread plates. Fresh air heater demister system.
THE AUSSIE 1800
(Modifications)
When the Austin 1800 was first
introduced to Australia it was virtually an English built and designed
car. However, following initial testing, changes were made to suit the
harsher Australian conditions that amounted to over 40 different modifications.
They began with the following
changes:
* The road wheels were completely
new and locally made.
The English specification which
required wheels to withstand 30,000 cycles on the destruction machine
was not considered strong enough for our roads.
The Australian wheels were built
to withstand 100,000 cycles.
* A new type progressive
speed-up throttle opening was introduced, operated by a graduated cam;
early pedal travel is long but it shortens progressively as speed rises.
With the new throttle goes a non-jamming plastic-lined acceleration cable.
* A similar type of non-jamming
cable was soon afterwards applied to the choke.
* The engine mountings were made
here and strengthened. The British method of rubber-to-metal bonding was
considered too weak for the bad roads in Australia.
* Exhaust pipe mountings were
strengthened - as were joints between the pipe and muffler.
* Gearbox sealing was improved
to stop persistent oil leaks around the push-pull cables leading from
the remote control lever into the gearbox.
* A new type steering rack was
fitted giving a more direct ratio. The British 1800 was 4.5 turns from
lock to lock. BMC Australia sensibly reduced this to approx. 3.5 turns.
* The handbrake lever was lengthened
because it was found that a driver wearing a three-point safety belt could
not reach it. Its general design was improved and a new type non-jamming
cable was used. The result was an excellent positive reaction.
* Radial ply tyres were fitted
as standard.
* Door handle and door lock mechanisms
were completely redesigned and made here. The original Wilmot Breedon
hardware proved totally unsuitable for local conditions, the locks tended
to work loose or jam with dust, and striker plates would not keep register.
* Dust sealing was improved throughout.
Considerable redesigning of the
boot lid proved necessary.
* Window glass in Australia was
cut to three times closer tolerances than the British glass. This made
them slide better and improved waterproofing and dust proofing.
* The seats have been deepened
and strengthened, particularly the front seat cushions which have been
given an extra inch of padding because the testers found their butts were
hitting the framework in the original setup.
* Full layback front seats, giving
a camper-sleeping version (known in Australia as a camping body), were
fitted as standard.
The straight backs are also adjustable
to in-between angles.
* Three-point safety belts for
driver and front passenger were fitted as standard, making the 1800 the
first volume production car in Australia with this important provision.
Anchorage points were provided for optional seat belts to the rear seats.
* Trim and upholstery were redesigned
throughout, to suit our climate and also raise the Australian content.
* Soundproofing was improved,
particularly at the engine bulkhead.
* The full width parcel shelf
under the dash was covered with anti-skid material (to prevent articles
sliding around), a central divider was also added.
* Twin padded sun visors were
fitted as standard. The English model had only a driver's visor. Our visors
also swivel sideways, to prevent side glare.
* The excellent heater-demister
was standard.
* Press button type screen washers
were standard.
* The headlining is one piece
and thickly padded with fibreglass for extra insulation.
* Electric fuel pump was moved
to the boot for better protection on Australian roads.
* Higher grade of carpeting.
* Armrests on the front doors
(not fitted to the English model).
* Sump-guard fitted as standard.
* Height addition to the Hydrolastic
suspension.
* The speedometer cable was lengthened
for easier travel.
* A recessed drain plug was fitted
into the fuel tank.
* A hole was made in the spare
wheel carrier, enabling easy access to the spare tyre valve when checking
inflation pressure.
* A better and quieter brake
booster was fitted.
* A wood strip (imitation) was
added to the fascia.
After the first cars had been
running for some months in Australia, it was found necessary to go a lot
further than this and the result produced a far better vehicle than it's
English counterpart.
The final changes were:
* The jack was redesigned as
the English one was considered too weak.
* An altered clutch design.
* Better camshaft with greater
engine torque characteristics.
* New oil control rings.
* Internal bonnet release lever.
* Softer rubber universal joints
for added quiet.
* Galvabond exhaust system to
resist corrosion.
Later, in the MkII, a more powerful
wiper motor was fitted.
Yet another sump-guard was added.
PBR brakes with a dual system
was fitted - regarded as superior to the Girling brake system.
