Hugh Jackman

From The Times


October 16th 1967

More new 1968 models for Motor Show
By GEOFFREY CHARLES. Motoring Correspondent

With two days to go before the doors of Earls Court open on London's
fifty-second International Motor Show, BMC announce more new models for
1968.
British Motor Corporation bring out a new, three-litre,
six-cylinder Austin saloon destined to replace the Westminster, and a
six-cylinder, three-litre M.G.C. sports car, capable of 126 m.ph.
B.M.C. lift the veil prematurely on their 100 mph three-litre Austin,
which is scheduled for production in early 1968, but with 100 being
distributed meanwhile for three months customer-evaluation. The M.G.C.
slots into their range at £1,102, just above the 1,798 c.c., 106
m.p.h., M.G.B. Mk1, which continues in production with some changes.
From Sir George Harriman's Longbridge works comes the new 2912 c.c..
4-5 seat Austin. to be shown as a prototype. "customer tempter" at
Earls Court. Production will begin around January-February, and the car
will cost £1418, including tax. Unlike B.M.C.'s 1800, it does not have
front-wheel- drive. B.M.C. are sending out 100 pre-production
prototypes to potential users for evaluation during the next three
months. Each driver will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire,
and their comments will be analysed so that any modification or
addition considered necessary from this exercise will be incorporated
in the production models.
Identifiable by the power bulge on its
bonnet, the M.G.C. arrives as big brother to the four- cylinder,
1.8-litre M.G.B. Beneath its bonnet is a new, 2,912 c.c., six- cylinder
seven-bearing crankshaft engine, but it is not merely a " B" with a
bigger power unit.

October 17th 1967

BMC announce the MK2 Mini and the 1275cc variant of the ADO16 saloon.

BMC range of 1,300cc models
New 1,300 c.c. Austin and Morris saloons, a new range of Mk2 restyled
Minis, refinements to the Ford Corsair and new de luxe versions of the
Zephyr announced today complete the 1968 ranges of British-built cars,
to be unveiled when the London Motor Show opens at Earls Court tomorrow.
B.M.C. are not dropping their successful front-wheel-drive 1100 models
(ADO 16), but have improved their styling and now give buyers the
choice of either 1,098 c.c. or 1,275 c.c. engines in eight different
models. They are with or without automatic transmission. The new Mk2
models replace the previous Austin, Morris, Wolseley, Riley, M.G. and
Vanden Plas 1100 stable, but retain all the technical specifications of
their predecessors. The 1,275 c.c. power unit, which can be specified
on any of the Mk2 cars, is specifically designed for longer life,
smoother running and extra power. Developing 58 bhp at 5,250 r.pm., it
permits the use of higher gearing, so lengthening the car's stride. The
1,098 c.c. engine develops 55 b.h.p. at 5,500 r.p.m. But the
differences between the two can best be shown in track performance
figures, which I took at Shenington airfield test circuit. The geared
up 1300 gives a 70 m.p.h. cruising pace at 6.000 r.p.m. (less than on
the 1100), so allowing at least 3 m.p.g more for motorway driving. From
0 to 30 mph it takes 5.1sec., against the 1100's 6.3; 0-50, 11.4 (14.,
while top gear will take it from 20 to 40 mp.h. in 12.5sec. (11.6).
Maximum gear speeds on the 1300 were: 1st, 29 mph, (1100, 25); 2nd, 47
(42); 3rd, 73 (65) and top, 87 m.p.h. (77.5). Braking has been improved
to cope with the extra power by fitting Iarger diameter single caliper
discs. On the 1300 and automatic 1100, these reduce pedal effort by 15
per cent, but increase brake lining life by 70 per cent.
Other
comfort and safety aids include a new combination switch for direction
indicators, headlamp flasher, dipper and horn. The 11 Austin and Morris
models are available in two or four door, de luxe and super de luxe
form or as shooting brakes. Wolseley, Riley Kestrel, MG. and Vanden
Plas Princess models are all four-door saloons. Styling changes on the
ADO 16 range include a much bolder grille, vented wheels, and neater
rear lights to meet new international regulations. There are side
repeaters for the indicators, while inside they have new seating (with
reclinable seats optional on all models), better door trim, window
winders, catches and carpets and redesigned dashboard. Prices,
including purchase tax, are as follows, with four-speed automatic
transmission optional at extra cost: 1100 2-door de luxe, £647; 2- door
super de luxe and 4-door de luxe, £672; 4-door super de luxe, £696;
1300 2-door de luxe, £672' 2-door super de luxe and 4-door de luxe,
£696; 4-door super de luxe, £721.
Unchanged in contour, the Mk2
Austin and Morris Minis for 1968 replace the former range and come in
standard, super de luxe, Cooper, Cooper " S " and shooting brake
versions. They are distinguished by a new, tougher-looking grille; more
luxurious trim; bigger, restyled rear lights to comply with new
international regulations; a wider rear window; stronger overriders;,
padded parcel shelf, and a new speedometer calibrated in mph and
kilometres. Other improvements include remote gear controls and 998c.c.
engines for the super de luxe and estate car models; a tighter turning
circle (28ft) and greater braking efficiency, reducing pedal effort by
30 per cent, on all Minis; four-gear synchromesh on the 1275 Cooper "
S" and a choice of automatic or manual transmission on all the new
versions except the Cooper and " S models.
As on the 1100/1300
cars, there is a combined indicator, headlamp and horn switch on the
steering column, an audio flasher warniing and improved screen wipers.
The standard Austin/Morris Mini retains the 850c.c., 34 b.h.p. engine
but the super de luxe versions have more powerful 998c.c. units, with
3.44 to 1 final drive ratio, and develop 38 b.h.p.

October 16th 1968

The ADO16 MG 1300 MK2 is launched.

October 16th 1973


Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Qatar unilaterally
raise posted prices by 17% to $3.65 per barrel and announce production
cuts.



October 17th 1973



OPEC oil ministers agree to use oil as a weapon to punish the West
for its support of Israel in the Arab-Israeli war. They recommend an
embargo against unfriendly states and mandate a cut in exports.

ITS THE ENERGY CRISIS !!!!

THE END OF CHEAP FUEL

From The Times

October 16th 1974


Lay-offs after walk-out halts Rover plant


By R. W. Shakespeare Northern Industrial Correspondent


British Leyland has again run into labour troubles. All production
at the Rover plant at Solihull, Birmingham, came to a standstill last
night, with 4,000 workers laid off indefinitely because of an
unofficial walk-out by 150 engineering inspectors from all the assembly
areas.
The shut down means that all output of cars, Land Rovers and
Range Rovers will be stopped today. The Solihull plant normally
produces about 4,000 vehicles a week and is one of British Leyland's
top' export earners. The inspectors' dispute over pay began more than
two months ago when they demanded an improvement in their wage grade
which now ,gives them a basic rate of £46 for a 40 hour week. Since
then talks between the management, union and inspectors have been going
on but yesterday afternoon these broke down and the inspectors walked
out. A company spokesman said yesterday:


"Because we cannot work without the inspectors we have had to lay
off the entire labour force from 4.30 this afternoon. The lay-offs are
for an indefinite period."


On this day the rubber bumper MGB and Midget are announced at the Earls Court motor show.