I was wondering other the Spridget, the MG 1300 and the Mini were there any other cars available in the US market with the BMC A-series?
I was wondering other the Spridget, the MG 1300 and the Mini were there any other cars available in the US market with the BMC A-series?
austin america? Hillman Imp? Lotus Super 7 variants?
In reply to 93EXCivic:
Right off I can only think of two more, the Austin American and the Morris Minor. I know that many others have showed up such as versions of the Lotus 7, Austin Sedans, and Turners. I'm not sure if there was an actual dealer network for those though. There are a couple more trying to make it through to the front of my "files" but haven't made it yet . . .
I'd ask over in this neighborhood.
If you count the sorta-clones, you'd have to include the Riley Elf but I count them as Minis in my mind. Maybe just maybe the earliest Nash Metropolitans? I can't think of anything beyond that; the TVRs all had B-series engines IIRC.
The Austin America is basically a BMC AD016 (aka MG 1300) correct? And the Imp's engine is based on the Coventry Climax engine.
Tom Heath wrote: I'd ask over in this neighborhood. If you count the sorta-clones, you'd have to include the Riley Elf but I count them as Minis in my mind. Maybe just maybe the earliest Nash Metropolitans? I can't think of anything beyond that; the TVRs all had B-series engines IIRC.
All Mets where the B-series like the Austin A40. Innocentis where sold in Canada with the A-series not sure about the US. Some Morris Minors (most where B-series).
Datsun sold an A-series that is similar but better.
ArthurDent wrote:Tom Heath wrote: I'd ask over in this neighborhood. If you count the sorta-clones, you'd have to include the Riley Elf but I count them as Minis in my mind. Maybe just maybe the earliest Nash Metropolitans? I can't think of anything beyond that; the TVRs all had B-series engines IIRC.All Mets where the B-series like the Austin A40. Innocentis where sold in Canada with the A-series not sure about the US. Some Morris Minors (most where B-series). Datsun sold an A-series that is similar but better.
I am 99% sure all Minors were A-series.
Also some Marinas had them. Was the Marina imported to America?
Yeah, Minors had A-series engines.
93EXCivic wrote:ArthurDent wrote:I am 99% sure all Minors were A-series. Also some Marinas had them. Was the Marina imported to America?Tom Heath wrote: I'd ask over in this neighborhood. If you count the sorta-clones, you'd have to include the Riley Elf but I count them as Minis in my mind. Maybe just maybe the earliest Nash Metropolitans? I can't think of anything beyond that; the TVRs all had B-series engines IIRC.All Mets where the B-series like the Austin A40. Innocentis where sold in Canada with the A-series not sure about the US. Some Morris Minors (most where B-series). Datsun sold an A-series that is similar but better.
Yes sorry I meant Marinas. They sold them for sure in Canada and the US too I believe.
Nash Metropolitans!
2 links -
The book "Tuning the British Leyland A Engine" by Vizard is the definitive work. Perhaps a bit dated, but comprehensive and all in one place. It was my main reference when building my fire breathing 1275 lump for the Sprite.
They're nice little engines - the small block Chevy of the British little car set.
motomoron wrote: Nash Metropolitans! 2 links - Where to look? Solid info! The book "Tuning the British Leyland A Engine" by Vizard is the definitive work. Perhaps a bit dated, but comprehensive and all in one place. It was my main reference when building my fire breathing 1275 lump for the Sprite. The Book in Question They're nice little engines - the small block Chevy of the British little car set.
I found that wikipedia article but I didn't know which of those cars actually came to the US. And I have that book
Kendall_Jones wrote: austin america? Hillman Imp? Lotus Super 7 variants?
Kendall, how dare you! The imp had a real engine, not a boat anchor of an A series lump. An all alloy OHC, wet liner gem that was happiest 2,000 rpm above its red line. Derived from the Coventry Climax race engine, which itself was derived from a water pump!
An A series really, I ask you, tsk tsk
Austin A-40s and A-35s were sold in Canada,but I don't know if they were imported into the States, too. The A-40s were used by several drag racers as AA/Gas cars back in the day, so maybe they were available here.
A40s where sold in the US but in bigger numbers in Canada. The Austin A40s all used a smaller displacement B-series engine. Similar to and earlier variant of the MG B motor. Canada has quite a few A40s - mostly Devons with some Somersets but I can't recall ever seeing many A35s.
ArthurDent wrote: A40s where sold in the US but in bigger numbers in Canada. The Austin A40s all used a smaller displacement B-series engine. Similar to and earlier variant of the MG B motor. Canada has quite a few A40s - mostly Devons with some Somersets but I can't recall ever seeing many A35s.
My parents owned 2 A-40 Dorsets, and my aunt had an A-35. All grossly underpowered !
93EXCivic wrote: The Austin America is basically a BMC AD016 (aka MG 1300) correct? And the Imp's engine is based on the Coventry Climax engine.
The block for the 1380 in my Mini came from an Austin America.
DeadSkunk wrote:ArthurDent wrote: A40s where sold in the US but in bigger numbers in Canada. The Austin A40s all used a smaller displacement B-series engine. Similar to and earlier variant of the MG B motor. Canada has quite a few A40s - mostly Devons with some Somersets but I can't recall ever seeing many A35s.My parents owned 2 A-40 Dorsets, and my aunt had an A-35. All grossly underpowered !
The two door Dorsets where quite rare. The A40s were also unbraked too with the Dorset/Devon having mechanical rear brakes!
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