1975 Morris 1800

BL 18-22 Series (Saloon), 1975

The BL 18-22 Series was in production during 1975. Styled in house by Harris Mann, it is a front-engine, front wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

The 18-22 was British Leyland's wedge-shaped replacement for the ADO17 1800 and 2200 models, to be sold across three of British Leyland's mid market brands. It used the same engines as the outgoing models - a 1.8 litre B-series and a 2.2-litre six cylinder version of the E-series, with box in sump four speed manuals and interconnected suspension - in the case of the 18-22 Series, Hydragas rather than the Hydrolastic of the earlier car. There were Austin, Morris and Wolseley derivatives of the 18-22 Series, comprising seven models in total. Austin models came with trapezoidal headlamps and a flat bonnet, while Morris and Wolseley versions had a bonnet hump, twin headlamps and a small central raised radiator grille. Austin and Morris ranges were identical - from 1800 base through 1800HL, then 2200HL as a range-topper. Sitting above the lot came the range topping Wolseley - no model name attached, as it was the only model available at the time, but unofficially known as the 2200.

The Ryder Report identified crossover as one of the key causes of BL losses, and before the end of its first year in production BL would rationalise the 18-22 Series. All would gain the Austin bonnet, with Austin lamps for the 2.2 and Morris lamps for the 1.8 litre models - the Wolseley would be replaced by a new 2200HLS, and all would be renamed Princess. This model would survive with minor changes to 1982.

The 18-22 Series sat in between conventional model series, in the same manner as its predecessor. Entry level models would compete with posh Cortinas, while the upmarket variants were targeted at low-spec Granada buyers. In both instances the Vauxhall FE Victor could be considered a fair rival, and while buyers might have considered the Triumph 2000 and 2500 models the truth is that these were targeted to different types of buyer. BL would have been keen to market the Maxi HL as an alternative to the 18-22 Series if buyers wanted added practicality, but the Maxi wouldn't be considered as an executive option.