As an ex owner, the main problem was reliability, they over heated due to the underspecification of the fan controller theromoswitch, the siamised engine design had insufficient cooling in the water jacket, they also had a ridiculous load on the water pump with if I remember 0.22 thou clearance and they had valve matching problems. The car also suffered from fuel vaporization problems when hot and was hard to start. The Kimberley also in mark 1 twin carb form was hard to keep in tune and had cam issues with lumpy idle. Mine was a mark 2 manual vehicle and I loved it when it was running well. If developed it could have done well and had plenty of buyers on release, the 1800 did well in Australia compared to the UK with the Australia operation rectifying many faults in the British model such as dipstick calibration. Unfortunately in this country reliability is paramount and even though the Kimberley / Tasman was in many respects mor advanced than the Holden, Ford, Valiant (better brakes, better torsional rigidity and superior handling) its rushed development and reliability issues frightened off buyers. I paid $450 for a good example in 1980 for a 1973 compliance model (built 1972) . After investing at least $2000 to try to get it reliable I sold it in 1984 for you guessed it $450. It was when running well extremely comfortable and relatively quick. It also suffered from cable problems in the gear change. I did love the brave attempt and design however and regret that it did not have sufficient development. If the cylinders were not siamised which I believe was only specified due to Issigonis specifying a side mounted radiator in the Maxi the engine would have been less build critical and possibly more reliable.

In the 60's almost all Aussie cars came with vinyl seats! No need to dry yourself after a swim, just carefully place your towel down and try to avoid skin contact anywhere else. Fantastic review!!

"I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have." Part of the joy, I think, of watching your videos is knowing that nobody else could possibly have enjoyed it as much as you clearly did.

My dad had the Kimberley's cheaper sister, the Tasman. It had a bench seat in the front and carried our family of 6 in silky smooth, roomy comfort. Dad owned it for about 20 years.

Very interesting. I worked in the Experimental Dept in the British Leyland plant in Sydney in the 1960's. Great engineering team, they designed, developed and eventually manufactured a Utility based on the 1800. Will look forward to your next review.

When I was in my teens we had a Land Crab. It was a brilliant car to drive, comfortable, excellent on good and bad roads and very spacious. Today I drive the kind of car the Land Crab could have been, an 1800 cc Nissan Pulsar hatchback with the wheels at the corners like the Issigonis cars and tremendous leg room front and back for four big adults. Too bad about Leyland's rushed introduction of poorly prepared vehicles and slipshod quality control.

im an aussie who's never taken an interest in anything british-derived, but you're sure making me change my mind! love your enthusiasam

I owned a MkII Kimberley in the 70's as a new purchase. The critics can go to the blazes. It was supremely comfortable front and back; quiet; smooth and reliable. A good engine it performed well but it was a trifle under geared. Handling was brilliant - peerless. The armrest didn't get in the way of the gear shift if you used it properly. Vinyl was normal for all Aussie cars of the time. I loved the car

Very cool 😀

Not only should this have come to Great Britain, but there should have been a proper estate car version (Austin Kimberley Countryman) to replace the A60 Countryman and to compete with the Volvo 145. As you say, so many missed opportunities.

My dad bought a Ariancia Tan with parchment trim Kimberley in Jan 1973. We owned it until mid 1982. Great handling comfortable car. Taught me how to maintain mid corner speed and about point to point time. Never a powerhouse but quite a few V8 ford and holden drivers got a shock when a Kimberley was all over them in the twisty stuff

I was waiting for this. My uncle had a Kimberley of which he was roundly mocked. I'm waiting now for your p76 review.

My English dad had a Morris Tasman I remember when growing up in Auckland in the early 1970’s. One of the first cars I ever drove! Big fan of your videos!, you showed off New Zealand very well indeed!

A dream come true, well done and what a beautiful example. Now that's the car you should take back to the U.K..

My mum owned one of these in the early 70’s ,orange paint with all black interior,I loved it,had a soul.Gdsy from Melbourne,Australia.

I had a 6 cylinder marina and a 6 cylinder P76. And 2 V8 P76s. Loved all of them.

That interior is surprisingly stunning.

My dad had a white one that he bought new. Great handling and ride. He had problems with the gearbox cables - I remember him taking them out and replacing them over summer holidays one year. I still have them hanging on the garage wall.

Glad you have found something to float your boat out here. I did have a Morris Nomad (1500) for a while in the eighties. Much more alive than the Austin 1300 I had in the UK but that OHC was a bit noisy. The survival of these great cars is a demonstration of the harm caused by salt on British roads. You should see my 1977 Triumph 2500. All metal - never welded. Pantograph wiper too :)

That red ❤️ interior says “Look at me, look at me, look at moi, Kimberley!”