Austin 1800 Ute - a 60s British car with an Australian twist!

Austin 1800 UTE

I love mentioning that the 1800, BMC ADO17, was designed by Alec Issigonis, the man behind both the Mini and the Morris Minor and of course the 1100, sometimes known as the ADO16. Many might assume the commercially successful mini was his favourite car, but actually, it was the 1800.

Although, unlike the Mini and the Minor that had been well received for their moments in time and are still fondly thought of now, the 1800 was sadly marred by problems at launch. Silly little things really like the oil dipstick markings being in the wrong place and cars being overfilled with oil which meant their targets of shifting 4,000 units a week weren’t going to be met. In fact, I think they were selling around 40,000 per annum at peak.

However, it would do the car a grave disservice to potter on about the shortcomings of management - who did zero market research before bringing this car to market - and it’s far fairer to look at what it offered in the marketplace at the time.

The front wheel driven car was a logical thought on paper - it was a bigger version of the 1100 and the B series 1800cc engine fitted transversely gave the driver and passenger plenty of room. Coupled with the hydrolastic suspension, it provided a smooth, roomy ride in a world where many cars were still finding their way with driver/passenger comfort.

The roominess, the comfort, the wider wheelbase and the Pininfarina styling was essentially billed as amazing value for money motoring and brochures of the time bill the car as not just a car, but an investment.

In fact, journalist tests pre launch were held in the Highlands to not only show off the car against impressive landscape, but to demonstrate the ride comfort of the newest car in the line up.

This new creation was up against things like the Zephyr and Velox and although it might’ve had problems in the beginning, the handling, steering and grace with which it took roads made it a worthy competitor and one which offered a better driving/riding experience.

But what of the Australian connection? Well the Aussie market had key competitors but a few stood out: Ford, Chrysler and of course, Holden.

Austin saw the ADO17 as a car which could translate into a UTE. The wide wheelbase, the smooth ride, the transverse engine. You’ve got the space, the width and the ride to create a cracking bit of kit. The torsion bar across the back suspension to absorb heavy loads meant the car could easily carry 1200lbs of load with 48.5 inches between the wheel arches. The low load height as well of 22 inches was said to make loading not only easier, but faster and safer.

Whilst this example has been converted slightly, you can easily see inside the shape and how this would’ve served the buyer.

Sadly, these weren’t the hit they could’ve been in the UK and due to a combination of things front front wheel drive being less preferable than RWD and the smaller than competitor engine option, this just didn’t pop like it should’ve and very few were made across the production run.

This particular example has been modified bedywise but retains the original running gear and had had power steering added; a massive bonus!