I actually really like the 3.0. I think the proportions are spot-on. The front is interesting, the rear is really handsome. This is one of my favourite of the big Austins.
@grahampalmer9337 Жыл бұрын
I agree. And I see 'Classic' Italian Grand Touring styling in both front & rear - all round really. As an 'off the top of my head' for instance: The early 60's 350GT, 4000GT & 5000GT Maserati's. And the rear of the Austin is better, more attractively, thought out than the Jaguar 420G/Mk10. Having owned big Vauxhalls, & driven the big Fords, I can assure you that they were far under par for interior & build quality. Also only Jaguar, Daimler, Rover etc were better appointed on the inside - & as the lad says - the ride from Hydrolastic/gas has to be experienced to be believed. It was never matched by another car I owned until I bought my '95 Citroen Xantia in the early 2000's.
@mlh4711 Жыл бұрын
quite agree, the backend is spot-on and the design is generally good. I would suggest it suffered due to a lack of internal "luxuries" and power.
@The1trueDave Жыл бұрын
I'm not mad keen on the front view but from most other angles I quite like it! I actually think it has a bit of a 60s Volga thing going on (back when they actually had curves, they went very blocky later on).
@aerogray2500 Жыл бұрын
I agree. It is a pretty decent looker and that interior....!!
@The1trueDave Жыл бұрын
@@hoolydooly5072 Well it only made 125bhp and weighed 1500kg, so it's not like there was a ton of performance going to waste!
@FamousEccles Жыл бұрын
I've got to be honest... I love the Austin 1800, and this 3 litre is simply gorgeous!
@controversialrebel5639 Жыл бұрын
I had an Austin 3 Litre in black and it looked utterly amazing. I think it was a superb car with brilliant road handling, drive quality and build. I loved it.
@charlesmclean9089 Жыл бұрын
I remember seeing a 3 litre when I was around 7 years young in Jamaica and said to myself, is this a real car. I admired the car. My father had a Westminister and was hoping that he would trade the Westminister for the 3litre. To this day, I admire these beautiful cars. I am from Jamaica 🇯🇲 and all those new Austin cars from the 60s were very beautiful. The 1800 Cambridge, the 1800 (land crab), and it's a shame that the people of England never had respect for these cars.
@robertcamble35437 ай бұрын
🇯🇲🇯🇲 Back then ,Rich people had these cars . My fath.er had a Rover 2200 back in the late 60s That car was very quick .Seeing these British Cars brings back pleasant kids memories . Jamaica was sooo much better back then .
@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe4 ай бұрын
You were working for Dr No if I am not mistaken.
@TheBasementChannel Жыл бұрын
I actually think they nailed the styling on this car. The proportions are much better than the 1800, and the tail lights look great. I’d love to own one, but so rare now!
@dogsbodyish8403 Жыл бұрын
Yep. given the door/cabin constraints especially.
@pashakdescilly7517 Жыл бұрын
I tend to agree. People go on about THOSE DOORS, but there is actually nothing at all wrong with them. After all, they are similar to the Triumph 2000 doors, and no-one rants about them. The tail is a fairly conventional one, quite nicely shaped with tail lamps that actually look good. There's nothing particularly wrong with the shape of the front, from the side. People criticise the 1800 'landcrab' for having a particularly short nose. This car is longer and 'normal'. It's just that the headlamp + grill area is badly resolved. It's ugly from the front. I suspect that if the grill area was given a stronger cluster of minor lights under the headlights, and a smaller radiator grill akin to a Wolseley 1800 (the nicest looking Landcrab), it would look good. Just a minor facelift away from visual success, maybe. Many years ago I read that the self levelling rear suspension was a goof as well. It's set up to maintain the same level as at start-up - so if you load the boot for a trip, then start the engine, the car faithfully maintains a nose-up attitude. That could easily have been resolved by having a fixed reference point instead of holding the attitude at start-up. Another criticism is the wheezy engine. In many ways less good than the earlier 4-bearing C series - but MGC had the same engine, and such cars with Downton tuned engines were just fine. They needed a bit more development. So, I regard the Austin 3 litre as a fail, but a near miss. It could have been a good car and a success - like so many BMC cars of the era, it was put into production when not quite ready. Austin having been amalgamated into British Leyland, the management saw Jaguar and Rover as the big car makers, and were content to allow the Austin 3 litre to die ignominiously. Historically, Austin began as a maker of luxury cars of some note, and despite the move down-market with great small cars beginning with the Austin 7, had always maintained a foot-hold on the luxury market. It died with a whimper.
@kh23797 Жыл бұрын
@@pashakdescilly7517 Well said.
@pashakdescilly7517 Жыл бұрын
@@kh23797 TY
@peterthwaites5891 Жыл бұрын
What a brilliantly produced video... For a young man your enthusiasm and knowledge of cars from this era is unparalleled, even if the particular car featured was of little interest to me (which they never are) the way you put it across while still giving driving impressions i could listen to you all day...
@tedecker3792 Жыл бұрын
Ed’s getting better and better! Solid fan here..
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks as always Peter, very kind of you to say :)
@philtucker1224 Жыл бұрын
Hi Peter you didn’t let us into the secret of what type of cars do interest you?🤔
@peterthwaites5891 Жыл бұрын
@@philtucker1224 My interests in cars is very varied but includes just about anything that is not a modern SUV or electric mode of transport, in the late 1970`s i worked as a panel beater in a vehicle body shop for a main dealers (Kennings Rotherham) who sold Austin/Rover group cars, i also have a great love for Italian cars...
@philtucker1224 Жыл бұрын
@@peterthwaites5891 oh I see, (I think I misunderstood your original comments) best regards to you buddy.
@philtucker1224 Жыл бұрын
I must say the example you were showing looked utterly immaculate and quite lovely in the summer sun. I’m always impressed with quality of the classics that are entrusted to your care. Well done young man!
@RapideWombaticus Жыл бұрын
It actually looks good in that colour
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Phil :)
@saxon-mt5by Жыл бұрын
I think part of the problem is BMC's accountants were useless; wasn't every Mini sold at a loss? Perhaps if the 3-litre had been pitched at the same level as it's competitors it might have sold better' People in the market for a car like this would be more likely to boast about how expensive it was, rather than how cheap it was.
@alanhat5252 Жыл бұрын
@@saxon-mt5by I'm not at all certain but my feeling is that boasting high prices was more of a Thatcherite thing, a decade & more after this car.
@saxon-mt5by Жыл бұрын
@@alanhat5252 Perhaps not boasting, but I can assure you that pride in owning something that was more expensive than your neighbour's was alive and well decades before Margaret Thatcher!
@jb3222 Жыл бұрын
Funny how tastes differ, as to me this is one of the most handsome and stately of cars, and I always thought it looked especially imposing from the front! Not sure about this example's vinyl roof though.... Excellent video, by the way
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@scottshaw5271 Жыл бұрын
It's like a pretty smaller Checker Marathon.
@williamrae9954 Жыл бұрын
Like the rear,how it blends in the rear lights!
@johnmoruzzi7236 Жыл бұрын
It’s quite like the big Rootes Humbers… Super Snipe etc. So it’s definitely accepted styling for the time, and a family resemblance through the car range like BMW in their 80s / 90s heyday…. The rear end is nicely done… very RR Shadow….
@philtucker1224 Жыл бұрын
Hi Ed, it certainly looked like a very comfortable 60mph cruiser perfect for a “successful man in total control of his world” 😊
@mw8653 Жыл бұрын
My dad owned one manual with overdrive great for overtaking in 3rd gear and in overdrive on 4th it cruised quite happily at 80mph.
@jrushen4235 Жыл бұрын
For one who was not born in this era your review was mature and fantastic. Loved it.
@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын
I have met this young fellow at a UK car event. For one so very young, he impresses in every way. He is useful with the spanners too. Double bonus.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@Dee-u4r8 күн бұрын
Nonsense!
@MyHumanWreckage Жыл бұрын
I know this car has been much maligned, but I happen to love it, and I’d love to own it!
@grayfool Жыл бұрын
This maybe the video that you have been building up to for the last few years. The history was excellent, the tech stuff even bettr (I'd completely forgotten about the self levelling rear suspension!), and the driving section was a joy. I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks edition. I might even think about buying a 3 Litre one day. Please don't tell my wife, she may think I have finally lost the plot completely.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks as always mate, and as I'm sure you know already, you just have to do it ;)
@grayfool Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam Oh, my poor suffering wife!
@buttguy Жыл бұрын
I'm from the US, and dear god do I wish there were channels half as watchable and well done as yours over here. Fantastic as usual. The British car clubs here in the states tend to focus on the stuff that was common here, MGBs, Sprites, Jags etc. All this OTHER stuff from the UK is infinitely more interesting to me. Would love to bring a Landcrab, Allegro, etc over here to bring something unique to the table. The more I see from the likes of you, Hubnut, etc, the more I really envy UK car culture in general. Keep up the good work!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, that’s very kind of you to say 🙂
@steffanhoffmann Жыл бұрын
Pragmatic comments and refreshing from 👉 🇺🇸 This young man avoids the razzmatazz, there's no quick camera work bla de bla. Regards 🇬🇧 🤝 🇺🇸
@Tawny670223 күн бұрын
As a Brit who lived in Houston TX for many years I went to a British car owners club show, so I know what you mean by the sort of British cars they are interested in, and they are indeed the fifties and sixties classics you are talking about! That said, these American owners were proudly showing the best examples I had ever seen, and to say they were pristine is an understatement!
@MGBetts1 Жыл бұрын
I liked the 3-litre - I preferred the proportions to the land-crabs. I don't think I even knew this particular example existed! 😍
@Azureecosse Жыл бұрын
my grandparents owned one and they towed a humongous 22ft Safari caravan with it this Caravan was all solid wood inside it it must have weighed more than the car, they went all over Britain in it in the 60s and 70s, when they passed away in the 80s the caravan fell to my Dad to own, I remember he tried to tow it with his Triumph 2000 and it struggled so badly that the car overheated and broke down. They cannot have been that bad if they managed to tow that weight behind them.
@TheLRider Жыл бұрын
I loved the looks then and still do.. If I had the space I'd have one in my garage. They are very different to their competition of that era and beyond too.. And so so comfortable.
@george2916 Жыл бұрын
This is definitely an eye-of-the-beholder moment. I love it (well, okay, except maybe for the headlight treatment). Everything about it is gorgeous: the proportions, the understated rear end, that colour combination, the plush interior, your description of the ride and handling! Such a shame it didn't do well when released. Great video, as always.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks George :) It's certainly aged very well compared to how outdated it looked in 1967.
@stephenwest9757 Жыл бұрын
I really like the front and rear styling and the quad headlights, but the land crab centre is the least attractive part of the design. Ithink they are much better looking than the Farina cars, but it is all about personal preferences.
@Maddpunx Жыл бұрын
I've always loved these, even when I was a kid, an elderly couple down the road had one, it looked huge as it wafted past.
@gsg360yt Жыл бұрын
What a pleasant surprise to discover a fresh car channel with such a rich and well put together content. Congrats!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, that's very kind of you to say :)
@jjll9244 Жыл бұрын
Controversial opinion but this is one of the most handsome Austin’s I’ve seen a long time!
@nockianlifter661 Жыл бұрын
My dad had all 3 ‘executive’ cars back in the 60s. He had the Cresta 3.3 which he crashed and then he was given the Austin until the new Zodiac executive arrived. The Cresta was the best of them, but the Austin was surprisingly comfortable, spacious and quiet.
@oscarsnr Жыл бұрын
My father had a Cresta too. 6 cylinders! We could all fit in the boot! It snapped a rear leaf spring in the middle of nowhere in Southern France in a camping holiday.
@paulpaintshop103 Жыл бұрын
I've had three Cresta's all PB , the best being a 3.3 manual with overdrive, although my 3.3 hydromatic auto was really smooth to drive.
@lanctermann7261 Жыл бұрын
I'm not from Britain, but I've owned two British cars in my life. I'm looking for my third now, a big Austin. Excellent video!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@lazycalm41 Жыл бұрын
A mate of mine back in the late 70's had an immaculate 3 litre in dark blue, reg plate was TEA 42G, gorgeous car! fabulous ride and that silky smooth engine, why more didn't sell was a real shame
@mikep4566 Жыл бұрын
I'm sure I've said this before but I'll say it again; you make this look easy, which it isn't. Thank you and well done.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Mike :)
@shankarbalan3813 Жыл бұрын
Truly Ed. Your knowledge, articulation and presentation skills are marvellous.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks as always mate :)
@BRED510 Жыл бұрын
The grille and headlights make me think of Bender from Futurama.
@Zadster Жыл бұрын
Once again, the technical quality moves up a notch, equalled only by the excellent content! You make an excellent point about suspension, I'm amazed one or more of the premium brands hasn't resurrected hydraulic active suspension in one form or another. It seems an ideal solution for massive electric lardwagons.
@michaelbacon561 Жыл бұрын
I think that's because air suspension seems to be the thing these days, but from what I've read, it hardly ever produces the "riding on air" experience one might expect. Other suspensions like Citroen's was probably ditched because of cost and fearsome complication, although I don't think the aforementioned air systems are that reliable. I seem to remember reading some while ago that the late Sir Alex Moulton, inventor of hydrolastic and hydragas, was working with Toyota, but it doesn't look as if anything will ever come of it.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks as always mate :) Hydrolastic and Hydragas deserved so much more funding.
@dogsbodyish8403 Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam Not so sure Hydrolastic/Hydragas needed that much funding or development - as you have explained so accurately in the video, the principles of operation are simple and straightforward enough (but so often misunderstood!), as are implementations. What was really needed was wider adoption - in other words, by the other manufacturers. By the way, I think your videos should be on national TV - the content and technical quality are both easily good enough. Keep up the good work!
@coogeeman Жыл бұрын
I've got a real soft spot for the 3 litre as my grandad had one on Damask red. It was always a treat to go for a drive with him as my mum had an Austin 1300. Did anyone notice this 3litre had a near side dodgy wing and the headlamps were off. Lovely car though. Ed, you're a star keep it up.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate.
@Captain_Scarlet_SIG Жыл бұрын
Agree with your suspension analysis I love hydrogas in my MGF it’s so much smoother than the later TF’s with the traditional set up, nice review on a great car. More money for a bigger car with less space sounds like today’s SUV’s.
@bondjamesbond9041 Жыл бұрын
The Zephyr range you mentioned was not exactly an oil painting to look at and did not drive that well. Dare I say the the Austin 3 litre was better looking? Love your enthusiasm for the car. We need new cars to ride as well as this old Austin especially with the terrible roads we have in the UK.
@BungleBare Жыл бұрын
The Mk 4 Executive/Zodiac/Zephyr range was the end of the British designed big Fords. Its replacement was the Mk1 Granada/Consul range, that was largely designed by Ford Germany. As you say, no oil painting, and not that strong a seller either. The Granada range turned round that market segment for Ford.
@nikjames2965 Жыл бұрын
Difficult to imagine BL management after being shown that front end styling, standing back and saying "that's really great - make it like that - it will be a world beater!"
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
I think the 3-Litre has gotten much better with age. The late '60s and early '70s saw a boom in wedgy and rather flat car designs. See the Mk2 Escort and Mk4 Cortina as the peak of this. As a result, cars like the Zephyr were perceived as modern, while the 3-Litre was considered dated even at launch. But with our perceptions having moved on, I think the 3-Litre has come back around.
@philhealey44438 ай бұрын
Ah, but the poverty Zephyr 4 had space to stand inside the engine bay which was useful if it broke down in the rain.
@douglasboswell5737 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic video. I owned one these and it was and still is my favourite car ! And I’ve owned a lot of cars. I would have another one tomorrow, but can’t afford to run a classic and I live in France. Anyone temped , go for it. I used to tow a dingy with mine and driving into the sailing club felt regal. I’ve subscribed.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Douglas :)
@andrewbainbridge5573 Жыл бұрын
I had one and loved it ! I had a citroen D super too and both were absolute joy to drive if DSs were the most comfortable the 3ltr was a close second, and performance way better than described here! A car you could drive for 24hrs just stopping for fuel.
@ColumbusII Жыл бұрын
Hi Mate, Haven't commented for ages, nevertheless always thoroughly enjoying every vid for months and months. This 3-litre is such a gem, and the way you took us viewers for a ride, it had me smiling from ear to ear. To me you are the best, informative and most cheerful guys on YT on cars... So enthusiastic on this gorgeous Austin 3L...(what a delicious red car😂) it kicked off my Saturday in the best possible way. Warm and sunny greetings from the Netherlands 😎🇳🇱☀️
@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын
Amen to all that.
@BuzzLOLOL Жыл бұрын
Is this 3 Litre another engine that starts rod knocking (Freeway Knock) at 25K miles?
@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын
@@BuzzLOLOL Only if the uncaring owner neglects Oil checking and correct maintenance. Just like any other engine neglected in fact. Ancient and modern. My near neighbour drives one of those big yellow roadside rescue Vans for a living. Time and again when attending a roadside rescue. when asking the stranded motorist to pull the car's bonnet/hood release, he is met with a blank stare. Anyway my car is not British but German / Japanese etc and they are so reliable they do not need checking. Hands up all those that think i made this lot up. Errr.. You know about cars, what that funny knocking sound my car is making?
@htimsid Жыл бұрын
@@BuzzLOLOL It's a completely different engine.
@BuzzLOLOL Жыл бұрын
@@T16MGJ - The little British cars were made for twisty little roads at 25-35 MPH... after the Freeway came about, Freeway knock became common... owners manuals started recommending changing rod bearings at 25K miles... Of course, here in USA, the junkies next door got a rod knock in their newish Chevy Malibu at 60K miles... they couldn't afford the repair so I offered to fix it for the fun of working on my first DOHC 4 valves per cylinder engine... and a few $$$$$... went to drain the coolant... none... went to drain the oil... none...
@matthewbrown2037 Жыл бұрын
Another informative and nicely presented video mate. You've really come into your own over the past couple of years and it's been a pleasure to watch you grow in confidence and maturity in that time, to end up creating one of my favourite classic car channels on KZfaq. Well done and keep going.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Matthew, that’s very kind of you to say 🙂
@ianhillsman7777 Жыл бұрын
I'm really happy you posted this video. I think the 3-Litre was a handsome evolution of the incredibly unattractive "Landcrab" with it's truncated rear and inelegant proportions. By adding a proper boot profile at the back, adding length to the front and giving it a commanding "face" with the bold grille and quad headlamps, Austin transformed the dumpy ADO17 into something rather attractive. With the four headlamps, it always reminds me of a mid-60s Maserati Quattroporte (a bit of a stretch, I know) and the added length at the rear gave the car a more balanced profile.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ian :)
@robinoconnor1203 Жыл бұрын
For some bizarre reason I actually liked these cars when they were new. I don't think they are as bad as people believe. Back in the mid eighties a car dealer I knew bought one of these at an auction. Yes fellow traders laughed at him! He wanted something big to tow his racing car and four wheel trailer. He ran the beast for at least 5 years often using it to take road cars to auction. He loved the thing, only parting with it when serious corrosion caused it to fail an MOT.
@Mopar-Pioneer Жыл бұрын
love it ! Front clip from a Checker cab , centre section from a land crab, trunk from an aussie wolesley 24/80 mark 2 ! Love the side view.
@hodaka1000 Жыл бұрын
Yeah right, not wrong about the checker cab I knew I'd seen it somewhere before And the paint scheme reminded me of an old Sydney Premier Taxi
@molemarden5188 Жыл бұрын
I had a 1800s one the most comfortable car I had .with all these pot holes I wish I still had one
@harryhall6392 Жыл бұрын
I've owned 50 or 60 cars over the years. The Austin 3.0 was a great car, quick, comfortable and held the road like the proverbial to a blanket. Passengers would say before getting in "oooh it's small" and once inside would say "oooh its big". The sluggishness you refer to can only be the engine is not tuned and coupled to an automatic box.
@RapideWombaticus Жыл бұрын
You uploads are enjoyable. Its nice to find out more about the British Car Industry and your take on them. Keep up the great work 💪
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@RapideWombaticus Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam you're most welcome. I look forward to more of your uploads. Have a great day
@hasbeengood Жыл бұрын
Elegantly done once again. Good show!
@roberttaylor6295 Жыл бұрын
"All hail the King! Vivat Ed!" Your undoubted and unassailable position as the the very, very best car reviewer in every respect, including, among many, enthusiasms meticulous research, superb scripting and delivery and outstanding entertainment is assured. The Austin 3 Litre was absolutely no exception to your status and excellence. You caught me out as it appeared today and not tomorrow, but I was flipping glad it popped up and made my internet charges worth every penny! Thank you! Rob
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
You're far too kind :)
@abersnatАй бұрын
When I was a kid my ol man ran the full gamut from a Minivan, a Morris Minor, he bought an 1100 for my grandfather, then we had the 1800 then the 3 litre. He rolled the latter. I loved them all. And that was all around Shropshire and mid-Wales!
@andyhill6398 Жыл бұрын
Wow that car looks gorgeous
@GentilsGarage Жыл бұрын
Fantastic video Ed! I loved the market analysis at the end that compares it with the competition. Out of the less than 10k cars produced, only just about 30 were left hand drive of which two are know to exist now. One in Germany and one in Portugal that is currently under restoration.
@andrewkingdon2000 Жыл бұрын
Hi Ed, so as usual you inject a perfect combination on technical analysis, period context, personal interpretation and enthusiasm that makes your videos very special. If I was scoring your view of that car throughout the video I'd say you started at 4/10 as it's an ugly duckling and a classic BMC cockup, then you quite enjoyed the driving experience so you scored it 8/10 then you looked at it's desirability and went back down to 6/10 as only stuffy old farts would really want one. Just seeing you go through that emotional rollercoaster was worth it on its own!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Andrew :)
@Nkana1953 Жыл бұрын
I had an Austin 1800 in the early 70s. Built like a tank, wood veneer everywhere, leather seats and power steering. Simple but brilliant.
@pashakdescilly7517 Жыл бұрын
In an Austin 1800? Was it a Wood and Picket car? Maybe if it was a Wolseley version, but not an Austin
@vivasangabriele1608 Жыл бұрын
A highly dignified Britain. The one who made our 60’s born generation, the good men we still are (somehow 😅). Driving such a stately well engineered car, should definitely feel just as driving a big Dinky or Corgi Toys diecast of our blessed youth. God Save the Queen! 🇬🇧❤
@Truth-Liberator Жыл бұрын
I like the Austin 3l. I think the rear end is beautiful, a bit like a RR silver Shadow. The front end I don't mind, a little like a facel vega. Our family car was a land crab that we had from the early seventies to the late eighties. It was a faithful servant that towed our kestrel yacht to the lakes and performed all duties of day to day life without fuss. At sale time it had 460,000 miles on it with plenty of life left in it.
@dogsbodyish8403 Жыл бұрын
The first 2 sentences echo my thoughts exactly! It's a pity the middle bit had to be so compromised, but, strangely, it doesn't seem to matter too much...
@tooleyheadbang4239 Жыл бұрын
Facel Vega! That's it. I KNEW it reminded me of something...
@ianpogson134 Жыл бұрын
Mature, concise, balanced and informative. What more does one want? Well produced and edited with an interesting presenter. Loved it.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ian, that's very kind of you to say :)
@timwingham89524 ай бұрын
I found myself saying "yes!" at 5:22. I was born in 64 and as I grew up was convinced the Landcrab, 3 Litre and Maxi were indeed all the same car! And you are so right about chasing a dying market. The world was changing, and BMC/BL management either didn't notice or simply had their heads in the sand.
@royclark6218 Жыл бұрын
I learned to drive in one - my dad's. My dad worked on the shop floor of a large tobacco factory and he bought his 3 liter when it came up for sale at the end of the 70s directly from the factory having been used by the factory bosses. It was his chance as a shop floor worker to enjoy a bit of luxury for an affordable price. It was great at first and we all enjoyed the smooth, quiet luxurious powerful car (manual gears) but it soon turned into a nightmare of a white elephant. It guzzled fuel and after the cyclinder head gasket failed hundreds of miles from home which involved leaving it in a local garage and making train trips to and fro. The repair costs were shocking at the time and it wasn't long after that before my dad passed it on and bought a small Nissan. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me about it - funnily enough the registration number of my dads car just popped into my head! It did drive buttery smooth 🙂
@KiwiStag74 Жыл бұрын
I have been fortunate enough to drive two of these big beasties - one in the same Damask red and one in a colour known as Blackberry.....which was lovely deep purple. Both I drove are auto, although I have seen several with a manual (with overdrive) combination and would love to see how that compares with the sedate waftability of the 3-Litre auto. I totally agree with you in regard to how the engine / auto and suspension work together to make the 3-Litre one of the most pleasurable vehicles to drive......and yes, I was urged by the owner to throw the car into corners at speeds well above the posted recommendation to prove that they can carry their momentum on any road with little effort - just swing that big wheel and let it do the rest for you. I was absolutely wowed by that, but not quite enough to go out and buy one. A fantastic drive and a total cruise-mobile....just as long as you are on the inside of it being coddled by the beauty of the interior styling and not having to look at the "wide mouth frog" face or the frumpy backside.....although its rear isn't bad, just a little too much like the 1800 / landcrab. I can see the car in its own right when I look at it from the side or in three-quarter profile, but the big grille was something I had a hard time ignoring. I've seen the rectangular-lamp mock-up and likewise think they made a very sensible decision to change them to the quad lamp setup. It does for the 3-Litre's face what quad lamps did for the Allegro some years later (in my opinion). There's a bloke down country here in NZ that coach-built a Vanden Plas nosecone for his 3-Litre and gave it the VDP paint scheme etc....and what a total change! I reckon that had they done that from factory and released THAT as the 3-Litre, then it would have fared a LOT better in sales numbers and had enough visual difference to it's little brother that ANY comparisons would have seemed like being a little mean to the 3-Litre.....and maybe the good things about the car would have been appreciated more. They are often overlooked and underappreciated, but to those who have driven them, they still put a smile on the dial when that memory is recalled because they are so stately, well behaved and surprisingly agile, as well as so smooth in the ride. Thanks for this review, Ed - I am going to send a link to the owner of the ones I drove as I know he will enjoy seeing someone else being wowed by a 3-Litre just like I was when I drove his! All the best. (By the way, just google "Austin 3-litre vanden plas" and you'll see a photo and a short video come up on the one I alluded to earlier and you'll see what I mean about the looks - trust me, it's worth it!)
@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын
Wide mouthed Frogs have their advantages too. To my eyes, this car looks good from any angle. A nice place to be and drive.
@stevebaker1260 Жыл бұрын
I’ve just had a look at the VDP replica & apart from being stunning you are absolutely right!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks as always mate :)
@graemeking7336 Жыл бұрын
Styling is subjective. To my eyes, the lobster is tasty
@arthurdardalis Жыл бұрын
I should add that your “topics” are well researched, informative and enjoyable. Without meaning to sound condescending, well done! Greetings from Greece
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Arthur :)
@brentcowan8077 Жыл бұрын
In Canada it was called the Westminster. I drove through a snow storm in one with a 4 speed manual and it was the most fun I ever had! Fantastik car
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
That doesn't surprise me - as even in the UK they were very close to launching it as the new Westminster!
@TheOracle65 Жыл бұрын
A very professionally researched, filmed, edited and presented video Ed! The 3-Litre was all but forgotten even when I was growing up as a kid in the mid-late 70's, but I do remember a couple driving majestically around owned by elderly, respectable gents who never left the house without a well-starched shirt, regiment tie and trilby. Even then the Jag XJ6 and P6 V8 3500 were the cars I adored....
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@calbackk Жыл бұрын
Exquisite review of this car I think we never saw here in Scandinavia. And I must say your command of the English language is a large part of the attraction of your channel. Greetings from Sweden.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, that's very kind of you to say :)
@stevie-ray2020 Жыл бұрын
Apart from the most expensive, the majority of those cars that you listed the prices of were either purchased or leased as company vehicles, with the more expensive being for the use of managers & directors, while cheaper ones were driven by sales-representatives. However, the dynamics of industry & commerce changed, while during the same time the car-market became far more competitive & the bean-counters became stingier towards staff! Meanwhile, those at the top became even more concerned with image, so they spent more on Jags, Bimmers, and Mercs!
@davidpearn5925 Жыл бұрын
I had a new Austin 1800 in 1966 - Sand beige with red interior. Anti-rust treatment throughout, molybdenum grease in the CVs and roller bearing rear trailing arm suspension. I updated in early ‘70 and sadly the accountants had destroyed its longevity…….the rear bearings became rubber and eventually you got OVERSTEER. Oh dear, what a mistake. Rust in 18 months……IN AUSTRALIA !!!
@stephenboulter4727 Жыл бұрын
You could almost sum up the difference between the 1800 and 3 litre by the fact that the former was a brilliant marathon rally car and the latter was a terrific banger racer, hence the tiny survival rate! Totally agree about hydrolastic suspension having owned an 18/85, also worked as a salesman in a Citroen dealership in the early 80's and couldn't understand why every car didn't have hydropneumatic suspension (obvious answer : ££££!). Fine critique as always, as a request it would be great if you could do a driving video on the Citroen CX or even SM, either will blow your mind!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
I'd love to give a Hydropneumatic Citroen a go.
@philiptownsend4026 Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCamDo it. I had a Citroen GS with that suspension. You will love it.
@Christian-ie7xq Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam You really should. I own a DS and it really is amazing!
@interdec Жыл бұрын
I love it! I always loved it! If they had put a 2200 engine in that, I think they would have sold exponentially more.
@19892CV Жыл бұрын
A 2200 fwd version?
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Unfortunately the 2200 engine didn't exist until 1972, by which point the 3-Litre was dead!
@radiogorgie6264 ай бұрын
@@TwinCamThe transverse 2200 engine had a reputation for cylinder 6 overheating, as it was too tight a squeeze into the 1800 engine bay. I drove a 2200 Wolseley 6 in 1979 and really liked it. Lovely interior and a pleasure to drive.
@julianlyons711 Жыл бұрын
Never disappoint.. great quality content and presentation .. better than any mainstream motoring shows
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Julian :)
@shane6115 Жыл бұрын
Well done young lad, your videos are very informative and totally enjoyable for us older folks to reminisce about the bygone days.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Shane 🙂
@shaunhouse8469 Жыл бұрын
One of my grandfathers had an Austin 3-litre, the other had a Rover P6 (not the V8, as far as I remember the 2.2). The Rover was so much cooler, but the Austin so much more comfortable to ride in
@Opel314 Жыл бұрын
Just a general observation and please do not take this as a criticism... I find it quite odd that the 'post modern' generation finds it amazing that previous engineers--thinkers, designers and for that matter, people in general--were in some way less capable than today's generation. Sure, they were limited by a level of material science far inferior to that of today--and other factors including an overwhelming post war economic burden. Should one question the capabilities of these people and conclude that they somehow fell short? I would suggest not. It is a less than sound assumption to think that those who have lived before this day, were somehow less able to think than those who inhabit the present. The immediate post war generation did amazing things given the stifling effects of radical social change, political upheaval, and economic instability, brought about by global conflict that shattered many norms and preconceptions. I'd take the 3-litre over many of today's 'so called' classics. ;)
@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын
Well said. I was there all the time and saw the whole thing!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
I don't think anyone thinks this. At least, I certainly don't.
@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam I think an all embracing "anyone" poll is beyond your considerable talents Ed.🙃 The car was in a different segment to the range of Issigonis smaller designs using same doors. THAT is the difference. It was in the company bean counter purchasing officer segment class and they are always conservative so no risk bean count suppressed sales. It really was as simple as that. I was selling new cars when these appeared. Saw the whole thing. My fleet sales colleague confirmed this. Few were sold to regular "car consumers".
@Rjhs001 Жыл бұрын
I loved 'em from the word go Ed. Didn't know why I did, I was only a child but my young eyes there was always something stately about the 3 litre and that, coupled with the fact there were never that many around made it one of my favourite cars of the era.
@Miehle74 Жыл бұрын
I remember these when we’d car spot as kids. Great video.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@bobsedgwick7469 ай бұрын
So interesting 🤔....thank you so much for that excellent video ...... I've watched many of your videos as I'm the proud owner of a Austin Princess 3 litre Van den Plas MK 2
@UncleBooBoo Жыл бұрын
Your opening sentence summed up the entire history of the British motor industry the best I’ve heard! Great video as usual.
@stephenscholes4758 Жыл бұрын
He's too young and brainwashed to refer to unions and their despicable treachery
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Stephen - you're deluded if you think trades unions had anything to do with BL's immediate death. Ford had it just as bad at the time and survived, and Fiat over in Italy had it much worse. To think industrial action and 'treachery' is the central fault is to be ignorant of many other factors.
@gregharvie3896 Жыл бұрын
Hi Ed from Sydney, Australia. back in the early 1970's my girlfriend's stepdad bought his ex-company car one of these brilliant 3 litres. I had 2 cars of my own a 1958 FC Holden which was a hand-me-down from a deceased great aunt and a left-hand drive 1965 4.2litre mk10 Jaguar which I could only afford to buy as it was LHD & a "lepper" as the RHD or off the road rule was coming July 1st 1976 in Australia. I was saving to buy all the unseen pieces to turn my "leftie" MK10 into a "rightie" before it was put off the road. My girlfriend's stepdad had wanted his wife to learn to drive the 3 litre, but she had no interest in driving. So Ken was going to sell it, when my just retired engineer grandad & myself started the RHD conversion of my MK10, Ken offered me the use of the Austin 3 litre, it was beautiful & ED I know why you had a smile from ear to ear in this video, as I enjoyed every minute I was behind the wheel of Ken's Navy blue and pale grey interior 3 litre almost 50years ago. If I had the spare money to buy it back then I would have bought it, years later I thought I should have taken a bank loan, but never dreamed of doing that as a Uni student. These are fantastic road cars in bendy hilly conditions and the hydrolastic & self-level suspension is superb, back then a mate had inherited a flat at Elizabeth Bay in Sydney and a w109 300SEL 3 litre Mercedes. On the same windy bendy hilly roads going over the "blue" mountains behind Sydney the Merc was treacherous a small misstep in going too fast for the stupid 1930's swing axle to keep up could see the Merc off the road and into the bushes. Not so for the 3litre Austin on those same bends, like the MK10 Jag, the Austin gripped like a leech in human flesh, tenacious composed handling. The WORST thing you could do in the nose heavy Mercedes was to hit the brakes on the bends as the rear wheels would tuck under leaving just the outside edge of the rear tyres on the road, totally dangerous. So like the unloved giant mk10/420G's which are great drivers' cars, so are these Austin 3 litres, just like the big Jaguar the throne-like seats and cosseting interior can see you travel long distances in vast comfort. Better cars than they were ever given credit for.
@hodaka1000 Жыл бұрын
So you're saying there actually was one of these animal here in Australia ? Who'd have funk it ! I'm 65, ever since I was 18 I've always had an FE/FC never been without one in 47 years I've got a 1959 FC sedan delivery a van I found in Victoria in 1983 It's got the grill and molds and things from an FE so it looks like a 57/58 I know that road very well I can remember going to Blackheath on it in 1962 in my uncle Bobby's near new light blue FC sedan business model, it was full house for the time with a Lukey Muffler and wide chrome rims which for 1962 was pretty classy, yeah at that time you might have had wide rims but not wide chrome rims anyway we were ripping along and we came hooting around this bend to find a copper wearing an old pudding bowl helmet riding some ancient Triumph or BSA or something on the side of the highway booking a woman in a pommy car that looked a lot older than an Austin A40 The copper near got whiplash as we came roaring around the bend and we knew this copper was gonna be pissed about this Anyway Bobby, Bobby was driving and he knew the road well knocked it up to second and thrashing the thing through the next couple of bends made it to Bulls Camp with just enough time to get into the scrub at the back of the place to watch this copper go thrashing past missing us altogether and I thought to myself I've gotta get one of these
@gregharvie3896 Жыл бұрын
@@hodaka1000 Hi there, I had a house up at Bathurst $17,000 to buy it in nov' 1976. Went up there on weekends to work on it, used to go via Richmond up the Kurrajong road to Bell & down into Lithgow, was way quicker than Gt Western Hwy. But there are some dangerous parts on the Kurrajong road, with bends that do no forgive a driver being clumsy behind the wheel. Now, back to the Austin 3 litre's yep they were nearly all special order cars shipped in complete from the UK, however there were a couple of BMC dealers that seemed to sell them too as showroom stock. I have never seen a "fire-engine" red one here on OZ' as most seemed to be in demure, discrete subtle colors older wealthy folk would have picked. Hodaka, these 3 litre Austins are big long wheelbase cars the size of a 1980-85 WB Holden Statesman. A lot bigger than the Aussie Kimberley's & Tasman's from the same time period plus wider than the Kimberley's & Tasman's too. These 3 litre Austins had possibly the words most high tech and best suspension we would now call active suspension with its fully self levelling hydrolastic suspension impressive now even today in 2023. The raw engineering plus body shell steel gauge and construction quality made the similarly priced Mercedes 300SEL 3 litre 6cyl a cheap German joke by comparison. I know why ED the young presenter had a grin all over his face, as when I drove one of these 50 years ago it was then even more impressive compared to cars in those days, a misunderstood engineering marvel. Poorly marketed it fell by the wayside, the first brochures show the car with fantastic evil looking big rectangular headlights, they looked great, modernistic only a 1964/65 Maserati 4 door Quattroporte had same lights and Maserati swapped to boring little twin 5- 3/4-inch round ones too along the street from my grandparents' house at Middle Harbour, Mosman lived the Pommy boss of BMC Aust, Chalwyn (can't remember his first name) he had a chauffeur driven one with the evil looking rectangular headlights. I even still have the brochure showing them from Yates BMC on Military rd Neutral Bay, so BMC had even made international brochures showing the rectangular fancy headlights, then killed them off late before selling the actual cars. In the BMC-Leyland "line-up" they were supposed to replace the giant Jaguars (like mine the mk10 renamed 420G's) in 1970/71. However the big Austin was a slow seller and had its throat cut and killed off in 1972. As sir William Lyons the ex-Jaguar owner made the long wheelbase series 1 xj's in October 1972 both as inline 4.2 litre 6 cyl's & the v12 versions rare cars now as introduced in the last year of series 1 production and these series 1 versions were way way more elaborate, in the last year of series 1 production Jag only made 2,600 of these longer heavy duty body shells out of 98,000 series 1's in over 5 years. With the release of series 2 versions being controlled by British Leyland all series 2 xj's had been "asset-stripped" and not of the same high-quality caliber.
@hodaka1000 Жыл бұрын
@@gregharvie3896 Right, I know the Bells Line well also I now live at Grafton but have mates at Londonderry and we ride over the mountains on both roads pretty regularly I had a brother in-law who had a couple of Jags including a Mk10, just after he sold it in I think 1978 he died in a head-on while driving an RX3 coupe at Collector near Canberra, I've always said if he'd been in the Jag he would've gone straight through the other car I honestly can't say if I've ever seen one of those 3 Litre Austins or not that I ever noticed or remember but than I can't remember the last time I saw an 1800 or a Kimberly on the road
@gregharvie3896 Жыл бұрын
@@hodaka1000 Hi there your right re seeing BMC stuff on the roads in Australia now, as many of our Aussie ones have made the huge boat ride to the UK having been sold at auctions & bought by Pom's. Re your mate in the RX3, you are more correct tan you'll ever know. The Jaguar mk10 or later called Jaguar 420G by BMC is a road fortress. Stateside in the USA mk10/420G's hold the highest score for front structural integrity of any car ever crash tested by the NTSB. Then come around the side for the side impact test and again they win out above any other car ever tested. As hiding inside their massive high sill rails are 3 steel rectangular tubes laying epoxy bonded/glued laminated together (to stop rust) then the massive normal looking sills are welded over them, then there are massive east-west box sections across the car hiding behind the dash under the seats and on the rear fire wall making them one of the toughest most rigid passenger safety cells ever fitted to a car. Add to this the front A pillars are a solid cast steel piece like a spanner, so is the upper B pillar they then weld to a cast steel frame that holds the roof and the roof skin is SPRUNG steel, same with the bonnet and the boot lid skin. This is why with no weighty air conditioning units a standard one is still two and a half tons, because of its massive overkill construction. Even take off the door upholstery and look into the door and see how that is built. The massive thick chromed brass window frames form almost a structural spine for the door as they go right to the bottom of the doors and bolt into the doors giving the doors the extra rigidity too even the door hinges are huge cast steel ones massive to any other car, plus they are spring loaded so when you close the door you wind the spring up, then it helps open the door as they open "uphill" like no other car,, even the door hinges have grease nipples on them too!! But one of the best features on a MK10/420G is to lubricate the front wheel bearings there is a grease nipple on the hub so you do not heed to pull the whole thing apart to repack the wheel hubs. Just pull the hub cap off get the wheel to correct angle and pump full with grease gun.
@gregharvie3896 Жыл бұрын
@@hodaka1000 Re the FC I'd owned mine for over 10 years before I'd put steel belted radials on it, I couldn't believe how better it handled, better than my girlfriends new Totota Corona. Mine was a hand me down, had belonged to a great aunt who had died, her hubby grandad's youngest brother gave it to me at the end of 3rd form in high school as a project , as he was going to sell it , hadn't been used nor started for a few years , he'd cleaned the points , put in new sparks & new big battery tried cranking it and pulled a rod or two. At the time the value of the car was less than fixing the engine, so it was given to me as a project. As my other grandad, mum's dad was an industrial engineer, so Pa & I pulled it to bits and fixed it. A very early 1958 FC so it had rear red blinkers and the little white lights under them were reversing lights & quite bright with 32 cp bulbs. Plus as a '58 FC it had the mega treatment 2 tone paint scheme Adobe beige lower and Olinda green upper , a real nasty vibrant color I always hated. It took me and my girlfriend in 1974, 1975 and a second 1975 trip to western Australia, Broome, Devils marbles, Ayre's Rock, Katherine gorge and the Needles, Darwin and on the third trip coming down from Darwin we took a road that goes almost straight across to the back blocks to Queensland, pulling a box trailer with fuel and water drums in it. The little bugger never missed a beat, taking us to some of the most remote places on earth it was utterly reliable, I had a sixth wheel also fitted with massive winter tread rural tyres for durability. Quite a good run from Bilgola Plateau, Avalon, NSW. We saw dead 4WD's & trucks but good old FC BPE-576 never missed a beat. I sold it to a then young guy that worked for me in September 1986 as I had just bought an immaculate 17.000mile one owner 1965 Galaxie with a super duty 390ci engine in it, it was like new, smelt like new & drove like new. I'd wanted one of these from when I was a 9 year old at the Sydney motor show. So at the 1965 Sydney Motor Show there were 3 cars that I wanted a 1965 improved 4.2 litre Mk10 Jag, a 1965 Galaxie, and a 1965 Lincoln. I've owned all three all lived up to childhood expectations, however the 4.2 mk10's and the latter BMC rename 420G's are exceptional the improvements over the original 3,8 litre version transform the car into being timeless, with the improvements to brakes, steering box, gearbox and cabin ventilation they drive like a modern car, or better. Plus the bronze head high output versions have no head gasket issues either plus have 340 horsepower.
@Lot76CARS Жыл бұрын
Great video Ed, enjoyed hearing the commercial back story and lack of budget that made this car the way it is.. an abject lesson that compromise is not the best parent!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@glennlingard7851 Жыл бұрын
I’ll keep this short….an absolutely lovely car🙂
@lawrencewillard6370 Жыл бұрын
Had an Austin 1800 in early 70's. Fantastic car, lots of room, good performance. Only trouble was gear cables leaking and then sticking.
@yuglesstube Жыл бұрын
I had a mini, and also an 1100. Absolute rubbish, both.
@donaldvincent Жыл бұрын
That Humber is Beautiful. I want one of these. Even the two-tone paint is perfect.
@michaelcrump1288 Жыл бұрын
A trip down memory lane for me as a 1960/70s Austin Dealer. Had big problems selling these cars even with extra bonus from BL/ Enjoyed your young person comprehensive description
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Michael :)
@yuglesstube Жыл бұрын
I'm not surprised. How did the BL people react when your feedback challenged their complacency? I worked for a Telecom company that had a huge lead early on. Then Nokia arrived. They were killing us. We were sent samples of the new killer product line, some of which were dummies. When I argued that the products were totally outclassed, there was hostility. In the end Nokia killed us.
@jetsons101 Жыл бұрын
Ed, you finally did it, a car I have never seen. Really...... Great watch.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@jetsons101 Жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam The car seemed to have a face only a mother could love.......
@robinlikes2learn Жыл бұрын
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. I'm not into cars and was about to look for something else on KZfaq, but you held my attention to the very end. Well done.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, that's very kind of you to say :)
@agordonforme6797 Жыл бұрын
I remember seeing one at the Scottish Motor Show in the late 60’s. I had a clear plastic bonnet……
@martinlazenby5847 Жыл бұрын
My late boss's mother had 1 and when she gave up driving in 1979 it was brought to our transport yard for storage. After 2 years someone decided to put it use as our run about. Although at bit of a beast and mpg not great we use it for another 5 years. I always found it very comfortable
@christopherstephens6539 Жыл бұрын
I used to own a light blue 3 litre back in the early 70s. I found it a superb car which rode beautifully and was very comfotable on long journeys. We used it for camping as it it a huge boot and didn't need a roof rack. Much better than a Vauxhall Discount or Ford Zodiac. Very underrated car I would be happy to drive one today !
@stevenf5027Ай бұрын
Another excellent video, Edward. As a former owner of a Wolseley Six automatic with power steering, I know the attraction of that waftiness. I really miss the Wolseley. It was the most relaxing, easy, pleasurable car to drive (there’s a video showing the ride quality which I uploaded to KZfaq) but its significant design flaws made it too hard to live with, particularly its propensity to overheat even on a moderately warm day (and this is after I’d fitted a new radiator, an oil cooler and an additional fan). I’m seriously considering the 3-Litre and actually love its status as a heroic failure that no one wants. I prefer it to the P5b, particularly the interior. Most of all, I am attracted to that beautiful dashboard and the supremely wafty drive quality. Your video has helped me to make up my mind - it is clearly a significant step up from the Wolseley overall, though it’s not as pretty viewed from the front.
@LostsTVandRadio Жыл бұрын
You've totally sold me on the ride quality! I want to drive one now 😄 I had no idea it they had hydrolastic suspension. I always found the 1700 lb Austin 1300 too bouncy, but in a 3300 lb beastie I bet it's great!
@ShootOnFilm Жыл бұрын
These are superbly composed videos!!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, very kind of you to say :)
@frankharrigan53684 күн бұрын
Excellent presentation, well written and very good clear voiceover
@nickbenfell4327 Жыл бұрын
This is a brilliant video extolling the virtues of a car that is better than you would think.
@kellybrickey4300 Жыл бұрын
It's so great to hear you say hydrolastic is the wave of the future! I have been saying this since i Bought my first MG 1100 abut ten years ago. Washboard dirt roads just disappear., and if you come off a large bump, you prepare for it to crash... and then it feels like a parachaute opens! It's marvellous.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
I think we need to return to a world where comfort is prioritised!
@DCV321 Жыл бұрын
I couldn't agree more with your assessment of hydrolastic suspension. When in college I had a Morris Cooper S and it was just amazing.... but when I drove on really bad roads was when it really shined. It was as if it was riding on rails. My family lived on a road named Hardscrabble Road and believe me it really lived up to its name! That mini just seemed to float over the bumps and potholes, and if that were no enough, the mini would go around corners like it was a go cart, thanks to that suspension system there was no body roll.
@btolley100 Жыл бұрын
I like the grill, reminds me of 58 plymouth. The red color is also quite attractive. Good video.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@dennisneo1608 Жыл бұрын
My mum had an Austin 1800. Best car ever.
@davecooper3238 Жыл бұрын
The main thing a reminder about the 3 litre. The engine/gearbox unit matched our engine crane weight limit. Can’t remember why it had to come out.
@andypandy9931 Жыл бұрын
I think it looks classy and like the styling.
@1969triumph Жыл бұрын
Very impressive. I had no idea there was an Austin 3 litre. My uncle had a 1800 land crab, which as a kid I loved.
@Animal666TNOTB Жыл бұрын
We had a 3 litre. Great car except the suspension! The self - levelling was nothing but trouble from day 1. Every time it went to BL to be remedied it was gone a month ( no spares) & every time it came back it was worse. So, reluctantly it was sold & replaced by a 420G.
@shaunmckenna1923 Жыл бұрын
Great video Ed i drove a 1800s for a while in Ireland loved the car and it was quite quick for the time .
@551moley Жыл бұрын
I also came off the production line in 1967, I loved seeing the old cars as a kid, sadly now looking back I saw many of the cars from the 60's and 70's make their final few laps at Par Stadium in Cornwall, seems such a waste now.
@austinmorris981 Жыл бұрын
My parents were not aware that they were naming me after British automobiles! Fascinating video! Thank you!
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Hahaha thanks mate!
@DmytroBaldr82 Жыл бұрын
Love your reviews on the British classic cars. Thumbs up, as always.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@phils866 Жыл бұрын
Enthusiastic, informative, well researched and enjoyable video, as always. I actually like the big 3-litre; it has a certain elegance about it, and I love the interior; classy and plush.
@simonhodgetts6530 Жыл бұрын
Yes, me too. From certain angles, especially the rear 3/4 it starts to get quite elegant. I always liked the early models with the ‘television screen’ front lamps too.
@TwinCam Жыл бұрын
Thanks Phil :)
@rileybenstead3574 Жыл бұрын
I loved the look of them from day one. I owned three of them over a period of about ten years. Still love the look of them. Big comfortable cars. I really wish I still had one.