British Motor Corporation (Australia)

British Motor Corporation (Australia) was formed in 1957 when the Australian interests of the companies that made up the United Kingdom British Motor Corporation were amalgamated. In 1968, following further corporate changes in the UK, it was renamed Leyland Motor Corporation Australia which continued until closure in 1982.

Austin Motor Company of Australia

In 1949 the British Austin company bought the Melbourne based Ruskin Body Works and used the factory to make pick-up and tourer bodies for fitting to imported Austin A40 chassis.

British Motor Corporation (Australia)

In 1957 a new factory was built at Zetland, New South Wales and here was produced the Austin Lancer, a car based on the Wolseley 1500 but modified for Australian conditions. In line with the badge engineering prevalent at the time, Morris models were also made with the Marshal based on the Austin A95 Westminster and the Major version of the Lancer.

In 1961 the existing Morris models were dropped to be replaced by the Morris 850 a local version of the Mini. A local version of the BMC 1100 joined the line up and henceforth all the smaller front wheel drive models were all to be badged as Morris and the larger ones as Austins. Production of the Mini Moke started in 1968 but fitted with larger, 13 inch wheels, than the UK original.

The Austin name continued in 1962 with the Freeway with an Australian made six cylinder version of the BMC B-Series engine . A local version of the BMC 1800 was also made and was developed in 1970 into the X6 range with longer wheelbase than the original. These were called the Austin Tasman for the basic model and Kimberley for the de luxe. To add to brand confusion, the Freeway was sold in New Zealand as a Morris.

Leyland Motor Corporation Australia

In 1973, alongside the amalgamation of car companies in the UK into the Leyland grouping, there was a similar operation in Australia. Rover, Land Rover and commercial vehicle operations were all brought together. Cars such as the Morris Mini Moke became the Leyland Moke. An Australian version of the Morris Marina joined the range and was later fitted with a local market only 6 cylinder 2623 cc engine.

Only made in Australia was the 1973 P76 based on a still born proposal for a new Rover car. This was designed to taker a straight six or Rover V8 engine with the latter being the more popular. Unfortunately V-8 engine supplies were restricted reducing production.

Following a run down the factory closed in 1975. Production of the Mini from imported parts continued by the Pressed Metal Corporation until 1978 and the Moke until 1982.