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  • Austin-Morris 18-22 (1975)

Austin Morris 18-22 

1975
Austin 18-22 Morris 18-22 (1975) history
Overview
Manufacturer British Leyland
Also called Austin & Morris, 1800 & 2200
Production March to September 1975
Designer Harris Mann
Body and chassis
Class large family car
Body style 4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine 1.8 L B-Series pushrod straight-4 2.2 L E-series SOHC straight-6
Transmission 4-speed manual all-synchromesh 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 105 in (2,667 mm)
Length 175.4 in (4,455 mm)
Width 68.1 in (1,730 mm)
Height 55.5 in (1,410 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Austin 1800 and 2200
Successor Princess

 

The car, which was given the design code ADO71, was originally marketed as the Austin / Morris / Wolseley 18–22 series. In 1975 the range was renamed "Princess". This was a new marque created by British Leyland although it had previously been used as a model name on the Austin Princess limousine from 1947 to 1956. The Princess is often referred to as the Austin Princess. Although this name was not used in the UK market, it was used in New Zealand. The car later appeared in revamped form as the Austin Ambassador, which was produced from 1982 until 1984 and only ever sold in Britain.

Princess sales, although strong for the 1976 model year, tailed off more quickly than forecast, primarily because of quality and reliability issues. Also by 1977 many of its competitors had gained a versatile fifth door which the Princess lacked, and the medium large-car sector fell victim to a poor economic climate further compounded by the OPEC oil crisis of the day. Total production amounted to 224,942 units.

The car was launched to critical acclaim on 26 March 1975 as the 18–22 Series, "the car that has got it all together". The number designation 18–22 referred to the engine sizes available carried forward from the 1800 cc and 2200 cc BMC B-series-engined BMC ADO 17 "Landcrab". For the first six months of production three badge-engineered versions were produced: Austin, Morris and Wolseley. The Austin model bore the original "design intent", featuring trapezoidal headlights and a simple horizontally-vaned grille. The Morris and Wolseley cars had a raised "hump" permitting a larger, styled grille for each model; the Morris one was a simple chrome rectangle with Morris in the lower right-hand corner, while Wolseleys had a chrome grille with the traditional illuminated company logo, with narrower vertical bars either side set back within the chromed surround. Both of these versions had four round headlights, and the Wolseley model was only available with the six-cylinder engine and luxury velour trim. Apart from their bonnet and headlamp designs, and of course their badging, the Austin and Morris models were virtually identical.

Models

Models Years Engine Types Transmissions
Austin 1800 March 1975–September 1975 4-cyl 1798 cc B Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Austin 1800 HL March 1975–September 1975 4-cyl 1798 cc B Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Austin 2200 HL March 1975–September 1975 6-cyl 2226 cc E Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Morris 1800 March 1975–September 1975 4-cyl 1798 cc B Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Morris 1800 HL March 1975–September 1975 4-cyl 1798 cc B Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Morris 2200 HL March 1975–September 1975 6-cyl 2226 cc E Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Wolseley Saloon March 1975–September 1975 6-cyl 2226 cc E Series 4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic

 1976 Update showing headlights and grill as the "Princess"

Austin-Morris 18-22 lights

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Categories
British Leyland | Austin | Morris
British Automotive 1970s | Vehicles launched in 1975 | Austin Princess | BMC E-Series Engine | BMC B-series Engine

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