When BMC launched the 1800 (both as Morris and Austin versions) in 1964, it completed its transfer to transverse engine/front wheel drive cars that had begun with the Mini in 1959, and followed up by the Morris 1100 in 1963.
A Wolseley version (18/85) was introduced in 1967.
The new car proved to be an instant hit, packaging 5 people in a very spacey interior, yet measuring only 4.12 in length (13 ft 7’). The wide appearance of the car as well as the placing of the wheels at the extreme, soon earned it the nickname “Landcrab”, which was deliberately misspelled by those who did not particularly like the car.
The engine was a standard OHV four cylinder, but later versions got a 2.2 liter inline six, which could be shoehorned thanks to the relative width of the car. Suspension used the hydrolastic system, first introduced in Morris 1100.
Unlike the Mini the sporting ambitions of the car were minimal, but it nevertheless proved to be a strong and reliable workhorse for rallying. Its most impressive claim to fame came during the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, in which 5 factory prepared cars participated, which all ended in the top 25, with second placed Paddy Hopkirk taking most of the honours.
Production ended in 1975 and about 386000 were produced, all versions included.
Shown here is one of the original London-Syndey Marathon participants, which was brought to Silverstone during the Silverstone Historics as part of an exhibition of former BMC competition car department. We were shown around and inside the car by the former head of the department himself.