Austin Apache Explained

Austin Apache
Aka:Austin Victoria
Manufacturer:Leykor (British Leyland)
Authi
Designer:Giovanni Michelotti
Alec Issigonis
Engine:1,275 cc A-series I4
Production:1971 - 1977
Class:Compact
Wheelbase:23700NaN0[1]
Length:40300NaN0
Width:15300NaN0
Layout:FF layout
Body Style:4-door saloon
Related:BMC ADO16

The Austin Apache is a small family car that was produced by Leykor between November 1971 and 1978. The Apache was the last BMC ADO16 car to be produced. The Spanish manufacturer Authi also built a version of the car, called the Austin Victoria, at its Pamplona plant between 1972 and 1975.

History

The car was styled by Michelotti, and based on the chassis and various other components of the Austin/Morris 1100. Leykor executives saw Michelotti's prototype in England and chose it for production in South Africa, where ADO16 sales had been dropping. While the car's centre structure was that of the Austin/Morris 1100, its front and rear styling was all-new, styled (particularly at the rear, where the boot was a notchback) to resemble a scaled-down Triumph 2000/2500. The tail lights, and outer sections of the rear bumper were the same as those used by the Triumph 2000/2500.[2] See also the more comparably sized Triumph Dolomite and Triumph Toledo.

In 1973 the Apache received a minor facelift, introducing proper CV joints, round Smiths gauges and a rod linkage for the gear shift. Originally, the ADO16 used rubber drive joints, a strip speedometer, and a remote extension gear lever.[2] Also in 1973, the sporty TC model was added to the lineup. Power was up to 55kW at 5,800 rpm, compared to 46.2kW at 5,250 rpm for the 'cooking' versions.[1] The TC also received Rostyle rims, vinyl roof, a rev counter, and a sporty steering wheel. All versions of the Apache and Victoria used the 1,275 cc version of BMC's venerable A-series four-cylinder, with a variety of outputs.

Production

South African sales
VersionApacheApache TCtotals
1971455 - 455
19723,908 - 3,908
19734,6076495,256
19743,7258574,582
19753,3566754,031
19761,8305172,347
1977749236985
1978494291
totals18,6792,97621,655

References and links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 77/78 . Editoriale Domus S.p.A . 1977 . Italian . 85 . Milano .
  2. Web site: Williamson, Martin . The Apache Story: Introduction . KEW Engineering Ltd . 2010-12-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629000847/http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/apache/introduction.htm . 29 June 2011 .