ADO16 history

The ADO16 Story 1962 - 1974 Compiled by Terry Trueman The "ADO16", for Amalgamated Design Office Project No.16, was first introduced by the British Motor Corporation as the Morris 1100 Mk1. Following introduction, the BMC 1100/1300s became a "Badge Engineered" line of cars. Six versions were made - starting with the basic Morris 1100 and Austin 1100 models to the Middle Class Wolseley 1100 and Riley Kestrel up to the top of the range Vanden Plas Princess 1100. Also available were the sporty MG 1100 and two estate versions, Morris Traveller and Austin Countryman - there was a model for everyone.

Morris 1100 Mk1 (ADO16)

The timeline of the ADO16 at
Cowley, Oxford & Longbridge, Birmingham:

• The Morris 1100 Mk I in both 2 door and4 door models was first produced built at Cowley.
  • Morris 1100 2 Door Saloon cost £661.0.3d inc tax⁽²⁾
  • Morris 1100 2 Door Deluxe cost £681.12.9d inc tax⁽²⁾
  • Morris 1100 4 Door Saloon cost £674.15.3d inc tax⁽²⁾
  • Morris 1100 4 Door Deluxe cost £695.7.9d inc tax⁽²⁾

October 1962

• The MG 1100 MkI in both 2 door and 4 door models was produced.
• MG 1100s begin to be exported to the U.S.A.

October 1963

• The Austin 1100 MkI in both 2 door and4 door models was introduced built at Longbridge Birmingham.
• The Vanden Plas Princess 1100 Mk I in a 4 door model was introduced at the Earls Court Motor Show.
• All models had the windscreen washer bottle relocated to prevent it from freezing up.

1964

September 1965

• The Riley Kestrel and Wolseley 1100 Mk I models were introduced.
• Wolseley 1100 cost £754.7.1d inc tax⁽²⁾

• March 1966 The Estate car versions of the ADO16 were introduced named Austin Countryman and Morris Traveller, and when specified, the interior could be converted into a double bed.
• May 1966 Reclining front seats become available on all 1100s.
• July 1966 Wolseley 1100 cost £801.19.2d inc tax⁽¹⁾
• Also in 1966 MG Princesses ceased to be exported to the USA.

• June 1967The 1275cc engine was made available in the MG, Riley, Wolseley and Vanden Plas 1100 models.
• October 1967
  • The 1100 Mk II and 1300 MkI models were introduced.
  • Automatic transmission became an option on MG, Riley, Wolseley and Vanden Plas.
  • MG 1100 export to the USA discontinued.

• January 1968 The Riley Kestrel 1100 Mk II was discontinued.
• February 1968 The Wolseley 1100 Mk II was discontinued.
• March 1968 The MG 1100, Vanden Plas Princess 1100 Mk II, Austin/Morris Super Deluxe 2 door and Super Deluxe 1100 along with the 2 and 4 door Austin/Morris 1100 models were discontinued.
  Austin America production and export to the USA began - cost $1895.00⁽²⁾(Americas were also exported to Canada and Switzerland.
• May 1968 MG 1300 2 door introduced.
• October 1968 MG, Riley (Kestrel name dropped) and Wolseley 1300 Mk II models were introduced. Wolseley 1300 cost £884 inc tax⁽²⁾

• MG1300 4 door version discontinued.
• Morris 1300 cost £805 inc tax⁽¹⁾

• February 1969 A company called Crayford in Westerham, Kent, began offering convertible conversions of the Austin and Morris 1100/1300 and MG 1100.
• July 1969Riley 1300 discontinued. Wolseley 1300 cost £903.2.6 inc tax⁽²⁾
• August 1969 Wolseley 1300 Automatic cost £1001.0.10 inc tax⁽²⁾
• October 1969 Austin/Morris 1300GT introduced. £957.19.2 inc tax⁽²⁾

• MkIII production begins and Austin/Morris 1100/1300 versions replace Mk II, 1300GT remains unchanged.
• MG 1300 Mk II is discontinued.
• Morris versions discontinued except for the Morris Traveller.
• Austin America production discontinued

October 1971

• 1300 Vanden Plas cost £1231.88 inc tax.⁽²⁾
• Morris 1300 MkIII Traveller cost £976.88⁽²⁾
• 1300 Austin Automatic cost £1063.15 inc tax.⁽¹⁾
• 1300 Austin Manual £971.⁽¹⁾

1972 Onwards

• 1972 Austin 1100 cost £991 inc tax⁽¹⁾
• April 1973 Wolseley 1300 discontinued.
• August 1973 1300 Vanden Plas Automatic cost £1429.39 inc tax⁽¹⁾
• May 1974 Vanden Plas Princess 1300 discontinued.
• June 1974
  • Austin 1100 and 1300GT discontinued.
  • MkIII production discontinued.
  • The final British ADO16, a Vanden Plas Princess 1300, left the factory on June 19^th1974.

In all its variants a total of 2,250,757 were made.

The ADO16 was replaced by the Austin Allegro and its Vanden Plas 1500 equivalent.