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CARS - EARLY SIXTIES | |
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British Motors The British Motor Corporation (BMC) was formed in 1952 by the merger of Morris and the Nuffield Group, comprising Austin, MG, Wolseley and Riley. BMC wanted a four-cylinder car to compete with the Ford Prefect, Hillman Minx Vauxhall Victor and Renault Dauphine. Their solution was to produce an upmarket version of the Morris Minor, with a more power motor (1489cc) and superior interior trim. This appeared in 1957 in the UK as the Wolseley 1500 and, soon after, the Riley 1.5. Unlike the UK, BMC in Australia decided to produce Austin and Morris-badged cars - the Morris Major and Austin Lancer - in its new plant at Zetland in Sydney. The Morris Major and Austin Lancer emerged in 1958 for £1,025 each.
These BMC cars never achieved the market share of the other Australian sixes, nor of medium-sized four cylinder competitors like the Ford Cortina.
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| The Menzies Era | British Motors |
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In the early
sixties, BMC produced an Australian designed and built four
cylinder car, sold under three names: the Austin Cambridge,
Morris Oxford and Wolseley 24/80, and a six cylinder competitor
in the family six market, sold as the Austin Freeway and
Wolseley.