Austin Apache

Austin Apache
Manufacturer Leykor (BLMC)
Authi
Also called Austin Victoria
Production 1971–1977
Class Compact
Body style 4-door saloon
Layout FF layout
Wheelbase 2,370 mm (93 in)[1]
Length 4,030 mm (159 in)[1]
Width 1,530 mm (60 in)[1]
Related BMC ADO16
Designer Giovanni Michelotti
Alec Issigonis

The Austin Apache was a small family car which was produced by British Leyland Motor Corporation's South African subsidiary, Leykor, between November 1971 and 1978.[2] The Apache was the last ADO16 car to be produced. The Spanish Authi subsidiary 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 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.[3]

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.[3] Also in 1973, the sporty TC model was added to the lineup. Power was up to 75 PS (55 kW) at 5,800 rpm, compared to 63 PS (46.2 kW) 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.[4] 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
Version Apache[2] Apache TC[4] totals
1971 455 — 455
1972 3,908 — 3,908
1973 4,607 649 5,256
1974 3,725 857 4,582
1975 3,356 675 4,031
1976 1,830 517 2,347
1977 749 236 985
1978 49 42 91
totals 18,679 2,976 21,655

References and links

  1. ^ a b c d (in Italian) Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 77/78. Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1977. p. 85. 
  2. ^ a b Auto Data Digest 1981, Randburg, South Africa: Mead & Mcgrouther, 1981, p. 302, http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/apache/Images/Auto%20Data%20Digest%20Austin%20Apache.jpg, retrieved 2010-12-27 
  3. ^ a b Williamson, Martin. "The Apache Story: Introduction". KEW Engineering Ltd. http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/apache/introduction.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-22. 
  4. ^ a b Auto Data Digest 1981, p. 303, http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/apache/Images/Auto%20Data%20Digest%20Austin%20Apache%20%20TC.jpg