Austin Kimberley

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Austin
1971 Austin Kimberley.jpg
Kimberley / Tasman (YDO19)
Production period: 1970-1973
Class : Middle class
Body versions : limousine
Engines: Petrol engines :
2.2 liters
(74-85 kW)
Length: 4434 mm
Width: 1691 mm
Height: 1454 mm
Wheelbase : 2746 mm
Empty weight : approx. 1000 kg
Previous model Austin 1800
successor Leyland P76

The Austin Kimberley and its more simply equipped sister model Austin Tasman were mid-range cars that were built by the Australian branch of Austin Motor Company from 1970 to 1973. They were further developments of the Austin 1800 tailored to the special needs of the Australian market .

The Austin 1800 ("land crab") was also manufactured in BMC's Australian branch from 1965 onwards, but it was encountered in a difficult environment. The ingenuity of its construction, to offer maximum space in the interior with minimal external dimensions, was not really appreciated in sparsely populated Australia. The local competing models , the Holden , the Ford Falcon and the Chrysler Valiant , did not offer more space in the interior, but a body that looked more representative and above all - what was even more important - engines with six cylinders. The Australian branch of BMC therefore further developed the Austin 1800 according to local needs.

While maintaining the middle section of the body - and thus the generous amount of space - the front and rear have been significantly lengthened and made more angular. It also got a completely new engine, a six-cylinder version of the Austin Maxi's engine . The displacement was 2227 cm³, the power 100 to 115 HP (74 to 85 kW). From 1972 this engine was also used in the UK in the Austin 2200 , but it premiered in Australia.

The new car was presented at the end of 1970. There were two versions: the simply equipped Austin Tasman with single headlights, a full-length seat at the front and a single-carburetor engine with 100 hp, as well as the better-equipped Austin Kimberley with double headlights, single front seats and a twin-carburettor engine with 115 hp. The advertisement promised that both models, including the Tasman, would reach a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km / h).

The choice of name showed that they wanted to offer a car that was deliberately designed for Australia, but demand remained subdued. Most buyers continued to prefer the technically more conventional competition from the Australian-American manufacturers.

In three years up to 1973 just over 15,000 pieces of this model series were produced, with the Kimberley being clearly preferred over the Tasman. Then these cars were discontinued in favor of the new Leyland P76 , with which the Australian subsidiary made its next attempt to achieve greater success with a vehicle specially designed for the needs of the Australian market. The technology of the Kimberley / Tasman with its transversely installed six-cylinder in-line engine lived on for a while in Great Britain in the Austin 2200 and Princess 2200 models.

Web links

Commons : Austin Kimberley  - Collection of images, videos and audio files