1969 Austin Models: UK and Australia

Fifty years ago, the Austin marque was one of the cornerstones of BMC and then British Leyland in the UK.

It was decided by BL management to separate the identities of Austin and Morris by marketing the Austin as an advanced engineering car, such as front-wheel drive and the Morris with a more stylish but conservative angle, like the Marina. This was in the future, so the cars offered by Austin in 1969, with the exception of the 3 Litre had a Morris equivalent.

Austin Mini and Austin Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S. The Austin Mini was released ten years earlier and was still going strong, with the Cooper announced in 1961 and setting all sorts of records in racing and rallying.

Austin Mini Countryman and DeLuxe Countryman, complete with timber sides and the Mark II Austin 1100. At the end of 1969, the Austin and Morris names were dropped from the Mini which became a marque in its own right.

The Austin 1300 Saloon and Countryman along with their Morris equivalents were Britain’s best sellers for almost the entire eight years they were on the market. The Morris 1100 was Australia’s best selling 4-cylinder car from 1964 to 1969

Almost timeless, the Austin A60 Cambridge Saloon and Countryman had been around since 1961, with the similar A55 Mk II two years before that. This was the last year for the A60, being replaced by the Austin Maxi. Greatly loved by fleet operators and rural taxi companies, they were almost indestructible.

The Austin 1800 Mk II is well-known to most Australians, but we never got to sample the ill-fated Austin 3-Litre. It used the 1800’s bodyshell, but featured a North-South engine driving the rear wheels and a self-levelling version of the fluid Hydrolastic suspension.

Only two Austins were marketed in Australia for ‘69, apart from the Sprite and the heavy Commercial trucks. The 1800 Mk II Sedan looked similar to its British cousin, but modified to withstand our harsher conditions. The 1800 Mk II Ute was unique to this country and now has become highly sought after. The New Zealanders marketed an Austin version of the Australian Morris 1500 and Nomad, as they had separate dealer outlets.