Morris Major
Morris Major Austin Lancer | |
---|---|
BMC B-Series engine, 1489 & 1622 cc | |
Transmission | 4-speed manual, synchromesh on 2,3 & 4 |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | Series I - 86 in (2,200 mm) Series II & Elite - 92 in (2,300 mm) |
Length | Series I - 151.75 in (3,854 mm) Series II & Elite - 161 in (4,100 mm) |
Width | 61 in (1,500 mm) |
Curb weight | Series 1 - 904 kg (1,993 lb) Series II & Elite - 956 kg (2,108 lb) |
Chronology | |
Successor | Morris 1100 |
The Morris Major and Austin Lancer are passenger car models that were produced by BMC Australia between 1958 and 1964.
Series I (1958 to 1959)
The Morris Major and Austin Lancer were introduced in March
The Morris Major/Austin Lancer/Wolseley 1500/Riley One-Point-Five all shared the same core design which had originally been developed as a possible replacement for the ever-popular
DO1101 was a lightweight, close coupled saloon incorporating the front
The Major and Lancer, as distinct from the sportier and more luxurious Wolseley/Riley cars, shared a similar level of appointment, finish and engine tune with contemporary Morris and Austin models. Although comparatively modest, the Major/Lancer was quite a modern car with a generally high level of comfort, quality and value. The sporting potential of the Major/Lancer was recognised immediately and specially prepared cars were raced into the early 1960s.
Series II (1959 to 1962)
The Morris Major and Austin Lancer Series II models, designated DO1115, were released in July
Outwardly, the cars were now longer by 9 inches (229 mm), including an extended wheelbase, tailfins and new front sheet metal. Series II's styling seems to have been more inspired by American ideas and, to many eyes, this gave the cars a more handsome appearance. Several updates to the original design were introduced, many of these changes intended to make the cars more suitable for the tough Australian driving conditions, and to bolster its competitiveness with top selling rivals such as
The Series II received highly favourable reviews from the motoring press of the time, with its sweeping array of detail improvements, its enhanced handling characteristics and attractive pricing (£997/10s - inflation adjusted to 2015: $29,127.00 AUD)[7] earning much praise.
Morris Major Elite (1962 to 1964)
The Morris Major Elite, designated YDO1,[8] was introduced in March 1962.[9] It replaced the Series II models, supplanting the Austin Lancer range completely due to the recent rationalisation of BMC Australia's dealer network: there were now "BMC Centres" only rather than separate outlets for each BMC marque. It was ultimately seen as unnecessary to distribute two versions of the same vehicle, though a "Series III Lancer" had been considered right up to the Elite's introduction. A 'new' Lancer equipped similarly to the forthcoming Elite was detailed in a motoring article by Trevor Davis writing in The Age as late as February 20, 1962,[10] but this was probably only a short 'run-out' series.
The Elite was powered by the enlarged 1622 cc engine
The retail price was also lowered from the previous Series II listing (to £940/0/0 - or, approximately $25,952.44 AUD when adjusted for inflation in 2015),
References
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ a b BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 213
- ^ a b BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 40
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 76
- ^ a b "Inflation Calculator". Rba.gov.au. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 214
- ^ BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 201
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 62
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, Building Cars in Australia, 2012, page 132
External links
- Contemporary Press cuttings
- Magazine Archive
- Austin Lancer (Series II) sales brochure – 1960 Retrieved from austinlancer.tripod.com on 15 October 2009
- Morris Major Interest Group Major Obsession Network