Austin and Austin Rover (1968-1990): books - history

Austin Allegro - An Enthusiast's Guide

Harris Mann, the stylist of the Austin Allegro, once remarked that the car "took a lot of criticism, but it wasn't that bad ... The problem was that no two cars were exactly the same due to quality control issues." As a result, few have examined its history - its intended purpose, how it was designed, and why it became so notorious.

This book provides a balanced account of the Allegro's story, covering its ambitious design, management decisions, setbacks, labor disputes, public criticism, and eventual reassessment. Now gaining recognition as an affordable classic, the book offers practical guidance on ownership and purchasing for all models.

From the reliable Series 2 to the rare, sportier Equipe, this book reconsiders the Allegro's role in classic car culture. It concludes that the model is not only a simple and economical classic but also an important part of Britain's automotive heritage.

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British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986

In 1968, British Leyland was formed by merging most of Britain's car manufacturers to create a strong, unified group capable of competing with major European companies. However, this goal was not achieved.

Many books have explored the politics and business aspects of British Leyland, but "British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986" focuses specifically on the vehicles produced by the company. It covers both inherited models and those developed under its management.

During its 18 years, British Leyland produced a wide range of vehicles, often leading to confusion about their origins. This book clarifies which models were made, by whom, and when.

The book stops at 1986, the year British Leyland ceased to exist. What remained of its car and light commercial vehicle division was renamed the Rover Group.

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Austin and Rover Metro - The Full Story

Introduced in 1980 as the Austin Mini-Metro, the Metro played a crucial role in British Leyland's survival and was seen as the car that saved the company. This book explores its design, development, and commercial success from its early sketches in 1975 to the end of production in 1998, when it became the Rover 100.

The book details the engineering improvements, the media and public reception at launch, and the transition to the Rover brand. It also covers the introduction of the K-Series engine and high-performance versions like the MG Metro Turbo, GTA, and GTi, along with the Metro's racing achievements.

Interviews with key designers provide insight into the car's development, and the book also examines concepts for a Metro successor that never reached production. Finally, it includes practical advice for current and future Metro owners.

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Austin Rover Maestro and Montego

In the early 1980s, British Leyland (BL) introduced the Maestro and Montego to compete in the compact and mid-size car markets, replacing the Austin Maxi, Morris Ital, and Austin Allegro as part of a modernization plan led by Michael Edwardes. This book explores their development and BL's efforts to remain competitive.

Following the Mini Metro, the Maestro featured a spacious design, electronic engine management, a digital dashboard, and voice warnings. It also introduced new engines and transmissions. However, like many BL cars, it faced reliability and quality issues. The MG Maestro Turbo stood out as the fastest in its class.

Launched in 1984, the Montego featured the S-Series engine and won a Design Council Award. It offered self-levelling suspension, a large boot, and optional rear-facing child seats in the estate version. Despite these advantages, it struggled against Ford and Vauxhall due to quality concerns. The Countryman estate, later equipped with a turbo-diesel engine, improved its appeal.

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