Austin 1800

The Austin 1800 was launched in October 1964, with Morris and Wolseley versions following it into production. The car’s ungainly looks soon earned it the nickname 'Landcrab'.

The Austin 1800 was one of the most advanced cars in its class of the time.  It’s front wheel drive layout, ‘Hydrolastic’ suspension and class-leading interior space set it apart from other 1800cc saloons of the time.

Maybe it went too far.  It’s thought people didn’t understand what it was all about.  For whatever reason, the Austin 1800 struggled to capture the imagination of the car buyers of the 1960s.

Despite the Austin 1800 winning the Car of the Year award in 1964, sales were disappointing.

Heritage

The brilliance of Alec Issigonis Mini design took the motoring world by storm during the 60's.

The Mini’s manufacturer BMC decided that the layout of a transverse, front wheel drive car with wheels at each corner was the way to design all of its new family cars in the future.

Following on from the successful 1100 range of 1963, BMC launched the ‘big brother’ to the Mini and 1100 in 1964, the Austin 1800.

The Austin 1800 had a new body that wasn’t long in exterior length, but offered class leading interior space.

The engine was a detuned version of the B-series engine used in the MGB and despite having less power than the MGB, the saloon offered good performance. As usual BMC later ‘badge engineered’ the car into Morris and Wolseley versions.

The 1800 lived on until 1975 through various model year changes, including a Mark 2 version in 1968,and a tuned "S" version in 1969.

The Austin 1800 in Peristerona

The Austin 1800 in Peristerona is a Mk 1 version – dating it between October 1964 and May 1968.

To see more pictures of the Austin 1800 and other old cars in Cyprus, check out my album of Old And Rusting Vehicles in Cyprus.