1972 Austin 1800

Austin Morris Wolseley 1800 and 2200 'Landcrab', 1964 to 1975

The Austin 1800 was planned as the successor to the Austin 1100 and Mini, and used the transverse-mounted 1,798cc four-cylinder OHV B-Series engine. A four-speed, all-synchro gearbox and hydrolastic suspension was fitted as standard. With design input from Alec Issigonis and Pininfarina, the exterior was neat and functional. Despite some teething problems during its early days, the model proved to be popular.

Introduced in October 1964, the four-door saloon was offered in standard and De Luxe form, the latter including a heater, overriders, leather seats, grab handles and twin horns. From November 1964, reclining front seats and a rear centre armrest were offered as optional extras. The car quickly earned the affectionate nickname the 'Landcrab' with which it is commonly known.

In 1966, a badge-engineered Morris 1800 was released, and the following year a Wolseley variant (the 18/85) was introduced. In 1968, the Mark II was launched with revised grille, larger wheels, improved compression and some gearing changes.

In 1972, the Austin 1800 Mk III was launched with a conventional floor-mounted hand brake and revised grille. At the same time, a six-cylinder 2,227cc single overhead camshaft E-Series engine was offered, called the Austin 2200, the Morris 2200 and the Wolseley Six. At this point the Wolseley 18/85 was dropped with the other models remaining on sale until being discontinued in 1975.