Austin Apache
 |
| Austin Apache | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Leykor (BLMC) Authi |
| Also called | Austin Victoria |
| Production | 1971–1977 |
| Designer | Giovanni Michelotti Alec Issigonis |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | BMC ADO16 |
The Austin Apache was a small family car which was produced by British Leyland Motor Corporation's South African subsidiary, Leykor, between December 1971 and 1977. The Apache was the last ADO16 car to be produced. The Spanish Authi subsidiary also built a version of the car, called the Austin Victoria, at its Pamplona plant between 1972 and 1975.
History
The car was styled by Michelotti, and based on the chassis and various other components of the Austin/Morris 1100. Leykor executives saw Michelotti's prototype in England and chose it for production in South Africa, where ADO16 sales had been dropping. While the car's centre structure was that of the Austin/Morris 1100, its front and rear styling was all-new, styled (particularly at the rear, where the boot was notchback) to resemble a scaled down Triumph 2000/2500. The tail lights, and outer sections of the rear bumper were the same as those used by the Triumph 2000/2500.[1]
In 1973 the Apache received a minor facelift, introducing proper CV joints, round Smiths gauges and a rod linkage for the gear shift. Originally, the ADO16 used rubber drive joints, a strip speedometer, and a cable-linked gear lever.[1] All versions of the Apache and Victoria used the 1,275 cc version of BMC's venerable A-series four-cylinder, with a variety of outputs.
References and links
- ^ a b Williamson, Mark. "The Apache Story: Introduction". KEW Engineering Ltd. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
- http://www.authi.net Website of Authi enthusiasts (in Spanish)
- Austin Victoria page at AR on-line
 | This article about a classic post-war automobile produced between 1945 and 1975 is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |