Austin 1800 Ute - a 60s British car with an Australian twist!

Austin 1800 UTE
I love mentioning that the 1800, BMC ADO17, was designed by Alec Issigonis, the man behind both the Mini and the Morris Minor and of course the 1100, sometimes known as the ADO16. Many might assume the commercially successful mini was his favourite car, but actually, it was the 1800.
Although, unlike the Mini and the Minor that had been well received for their moments in time and are still fondly thought of now, the 1800 was sadly marred by problems at launch. Silly little things really like the oil dipstick markings being in the wrong place and cars being overfilled with oil which meant their targets of shifting 4,000 units a week weren’t going to be met. In fact, I think they were selling around 40,000 per annum at peak.
However, it would do the car a grave disservice to potter on about the shortcomings of management - who did zero market research before bringing this car to market - and it’s far fairer to look at what it offered in the marketplace at the time.
The front wheel driven car was a logical thought on paper - it was a bigger version of the 1100 and the B series 1800cc engine fitted transversely gave the driver and passenger plenty of room. Coupled with the hydrolastic suspension, it provided a smooth, roomy ride in a world where many cars were still finding their way with driver/passenger comfort.
The roominess, the comfort, the wider wheelbase and the Pininfarina styling was essentially billed as amazing value for money motoring and brochures of the time bill the car as not just a car, but an investment.
In fact, journalist tests pre launch were held in the Highlands to not only show off the car against impressive landscape, but to demonstrate the ride comfort of the newest car in the line up.
This new creation was up against things like the Zephyr and Velox and although it might’ve had problems in the beginning, the handling, steering and grace with which it took roads made it a worthy competitor and one which offered a better driving/riding experience.
But what of the Australian connection? Well the Aussie market had key competitors but a few stood out: Ford, Chrysler and of course, Holden.
Austin saw the ADO17 as a car which could translate into a UTE. The wide wheelbase, the smooth ride, the transverse engine. You’ve got the space, the width and the ride to create a cracking bit of kit. The torsion bar across the back suspension to absorb heavy loads meant the car could easily carry 1200lbs of load with 48.5 inches between the wheel arches. The low load height as well of 22 inches was said to make loading not only easier, but faster and safer.
Whilst this example has been converted slightly, you can easily see inside the shape and how this would’ve served the buyer.
Sadly, these weren’t the hit they could’ve been in the UK and due to a combination of things front front wheel drive being less preferable than RWD and the smaller than competitor engine option, this just didn’t pop like it should’ve and very few were made across the production run.
This particular example has been modified bedywise but retains the original running gear and had had power steering added; a massive bonus!

[@ayrproductions]

Whoever converted it to a panel van did a pretty good job.

[@davidellis279]

Nobody converted it,BL Australia made them,it’s such a shame they we’re never sold here,what a great hearse they would have made and of course a van. I’ve had several land Crap as these were called and did thousands of miles in them without issues,the last one I had had 143,000 miles on the clock when I sold it to a friend of mine who then put another 50,000 on the clock without any problem’s,people either love them or hate them I loved everyone of mine. Always wanted the Wolseley 18/85 S but could never afford one.

[@idriveaclassic]

@davidellis279 this was originally a UTE. it’s had all the bodywork done.

[@gryfandjane]

Now that’s a stunner! Very nice indeed.

[@stooartbabay]

Correct, originally a Ute that was converted… but, there were indeed 3 factory built station wagon versions made as ambulances for the Australian Air Force… there is a photo of them somewhere… but all long lost now… not seen since the 70’s…

[@ianmitchell3725]

Land crab 🦀

[@compo308]

I love the colour of the Austin 1800 ute and Steph is dressed in similar colours.

[@janath9118]

Me too!!

[@Steph-pn2kq]

What a stunning panelvan conversion! The ute was a pretty rare sight when I was a kid in the 70s. Thanks for bringing back the memories Steph.

[@janath9118]

But I don't like the conversion. They should have kept it in the original form. Now the sentimental value is lost.

[@marknelson5929]

Great vid, the 1800 Saloon was very popular here in Oz back in the day (alongside the earlier Mini and 1100 etc). I recall the utility or 'ute' version of the 1800 being reasonably common here particularly secondhand, there load area was very good for its time being FWD. I recall a spirited drive through Melbourne in 1974 in an 1800 saloon as a very young teenager and boy it handled well. Great cars, especially with the a full tune MGB engine.

[@stooartbabay]

The BMC B series engine used in the 1800 was indeed the same block as used for the MGB… the 1800 also had a larger valve head which is marked with an “O” in the top left corner.. many an MGB owner has grabbed these over the years.

[@bob521i]

Surprised to see an MG rocker cover but only a single SU!

[@stooartbabay]

Single SU gives better torque (for an engine setup for it). And if you have yellow terra roller rockers, it is hard to find a rocket cover that fits… MG ones do but the original 1800 ones from factory do not. Hans Penderson in Melbourne had some special covers made to suit the 1800 with YT rollers but he sold his last one early this year.

[@Walshe85]

Seen that in the Holmfirth garage a few months ago getting worked on, good to see it back on the road.

[@idriveaclassic]

The owner is a smashing chap. Really cares about his cars

[@alancrisp1582]

​@@idriveaclassic Sadly😢 if he really cares about classic vehicles. He would return this classic car 🚙, to Australia 🇦🇺 for save keeping ,well away from your salted roads !!..

[@idriveaclassic]

@@alancrisp1582 he doesn’t take it out on salted roads. They’re not salted all year?!

[@caw25sha]

Not by Wesley Pegden I hope!

[@stooartbabay]

Unfortunately the support for the 1800s in Australia has dwindled to virtually none now, all the old guys have retired or passed away and it is extremely hard to get parts now as well.. there is only one guy in Melbourne who has the knowledge to help… if you do live in Melbourne and have an 1800 then contact Old Car Gearboxes in Moorabbin and Ben may be able to help you.

[@stefantrnacek1394]

WOW, that ute to Panel Van conversion is amazing. I really love it. I currently know of an 1800 ute for sale that I am going to have a look at in a couple of days.

[@jeffreywhitehead9386]

There's a Austin 1800 ute that lives around the corner from me just out of Melbourne so great to see you cover this export in the UK. We normally call a closed utility a panel van, or a low roof version a delivery van, and an open pick-up style utility we call a ute. A great show with wonderful detail and I'm enjoying them very much Steph. So thanks from down under :)

[@Phiyedough]

I was thinking the same but perhaps this started life as an open pickup?

[@johnd8892]

This is a very well done but non-factory conversion from a ute model.

[@007JHS]

You might like to look into the Austin Tasman and kimberley... sort of a super 1800 with 6 cylinder engines only built in Australia.

[@gregharvie3896]

Hi from Sydney, Australia. back when new both for the series 1 AND series 2 utes there were both glassfibre , or , aluminium lift off rear canopies to cover the ute bed, with plexi glass (perspex/plastic) lockable rear windows, in fact the canopies themselves could also have side windows at an extra cost. The look or the metalwork on this modded ute gives the EXACT profile and internal height that the period piece canopies had. Re power steering, this was available as an option in late series 2 production and was also available as an option on the more expensive later model Kimberly's. To me this looked like the power steer unit off the Austin 3 litre , as my first girlfriend's stepdad had one of these rare "beasts" that here in Australia could be specially ordered from your local BMC dealer. Here in Australia, the "landcrabs" became a deft favorite of older retired folk, as they gave amazing enduring reliability and service, PLUS decent mileage to a gallon of petrol and they were very well made doing extraordinary mileage and simply not wearing out. Better cars than given credit for, and the later Tasman's and more expensive Kimberley's went a step further with their excellent more powerful 6-cylinder engines. A good example being the 2 utes owned by the elderly proprietors of the Narrara Valley Nursery on the central coast of NSW 100 k's north of Sydney. They had owned a series 1 & series 2 ute since new and a series 1 sedan and a later Kimberley sedan, also since new so 4 between 2 people. They owned an aluminium canopy and seemed to swap it over depending what a ute was doing for the day. Their fleet of 4 had given them near 4 decades of reliable service, very impressive no matter what brand of vehicle.

[@phillipleeds296]

My old friend was the purchasing manager for Leyland Australia at the time these were made. He told me that British Leyland were never interested in adopting anything developed in Australia to improve the products, so it’s unlikely they would,have taken the ute on. I still see one occasionally. Congratulations on the 50K. Cheers.

[@tz6414]

Looks amazing in 2023, shows what as excellent design it is. The condition of that is outstanding. As a Ute, the design is very coherent.

[@glennmckenzie1096]

I loved my 'preproduction' beige. 1964. Aussie 1800 - only 32k miles (in 2001) and immaculate. Downsides were heavy, slow speed steering, and a shockingly ineffective handbrake. Upsides, were the ride, and all that superbly comfortable room in a spectacularly red interior. If only some creton in a SUV hadn't side swiped it I'd still have it today.

[@stooartbabay]

They changed the steering geometry for the Mk2… it is easy peasy!! You don’t need power steering if you have pretty close to standard width wheels.

[@ChrisHealey-q2i]

Absolutely love this van! All I'd change is the wheels [a very personal thing I feel] to deep dish steelies. Great looking machine love it!

[@JP-su8bp]

I really like the simple, yet classy, look of this vehicle.

[@anthonystevens8683]

Congratulations Steph on 50K subs. Once again the management missed a great opportunity to sell this in Europe as well. They also squandered it and the brands reputation launching the 1800 before it was ready by not ironing out the QC issues. I'd like to say that this sort of management is the stuff of decades ago but unfortunately it still exists in a somewhat reduced form today. Setting sales targets without market research to back up those targets can be a recipe for disaster and setting unrealistic expectations. Back to the Ute. This had so much potential to succeed, comfortable driving manners with a decent load space and this one is beautifully finished. The only reason that I can think of that it wasn't sold in the UK was that the 1800 may have been marketed as a higher end car and the management were concerned that introducing a utility version may have devalued it a tad. Even though history shoes that later on Landrover did exactly that with the early Discovery. Many thanks for sharing and It's great to see that almost lost art of rev matching on changing down the gears.

[@Nite-owl]

That road looks like the most heavily "speed camera'd" road in the UK 😳Lovely car !

[@huwdavies6714]

BL in Australia tried to match the others (Ford, Holden etc) later on with six cylinder cars (Marina and Tasman/Kimberly and later on with the P76) but it was all too late 😢 However, the six cylinder Marinas were not good - my parents had two and I’m still in therapy 40 years later 😂 Loved the videos

[@peterriggall8409]

They used to call the 6 cylinder Cortina’s Arrows. Fine in a straight line but can’t turn corners. 6 cyl. Marinas suffered same fate I reckon.

[@stooartbabay]

BMC were their own worst enemy.. the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne (they literally would not help each other at all!!) was just crazy..

[@chrispenn715]

Beautifully modified. Looks great. Taught my wife to drive in her dad's 1800 saloon. 😊

[@mickyg1953]

I had a land crab Mk1 on a '67 plate in 1975/76 bought for 200 quid. A really comfortable car, used to travel from Manchester to Camborne, Cornwall at the start and end of each term at the School of Mines. I didn't think the steering was heavy and in need of power steering though.

[@jeannedark8075]

Nice to see an 1800, they're a very practical classic, power steering was standard on the Wolesley versions and I'm still amazed how light mine is to drive. Internal space is tardis like and after everything was ironed out they were and are a great car, let's not forget their rallying success too

[@grahammonk8013]

Crayford built an estate version of the 3 litre. You want talk about TARDIS!

[@stephenricketts7764]

I like this conversion and I agree it would have sold quite well here in the UK as a bread van or butchers van. People still had those things delivered back then. I think this has been well done and not too over the top. Thanks for the review Steph and congratulations on reach 50K, very well deserved. 👍👍

[@peterriggall8409]

Congratulations 🎉 on the 50k milestone Steph. Love the 1800s. This one beautifully upgraded. The Ute came originally with a very basic bench seat. One of the main selling point was the flat load bed with no wheel arch protrusions made possible by the Hydrolastic suspension.

[@metalmick99]

Memory told me there was some loss of width due to the wheelarches, though it was minimal - certainly nothing like in the Holden/Ford utes of the time. This was borne out by a Google search.

[@steved3702]

@@metalmick99 The designer of the AU ute mentioned to me when I met him that the ability to fit an Australian pallet was a novel feature. I now know the 1800 ute beat it by many years!

[@SimonAuliff]

Loved these I drove thousands of km in the car ..in the late 70s and early 80s ❤

[@Vince_uk]

What a fabulous machine Steph, I love it. It will definitely turn more than a few heads and it sounds wonderful.

[@peterbuckley5204]

Saw this a couple of months ago at carding mill holmfirth with my brother he said it's best thing he's ever seen keep up the good work Steph

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

I think it's really great Steph, imagine it as an estate like the ADO 16 ( the car that Basil Fawlty thrashed ! ).Note the number plate lamps used inside as load area illumination , also the 1800 Mk1 tail lamp clusters fitted vertically .A very clever conversion .Great review as always and congratulations on the well- deserved 50k subs .

[@BungleBare]

There were a lot of BMC/BL cars that their foreign outposts produced, such as the 1800 Ute shown in this video (which could easily have been converted into a van like this one, or an estate), the Aussie hatchback variant of the ADO 16, the Leyland P76, the updated Innocenti/De Tomaso Mini, Austin Apache, etc. that could have done well in the UK and bolstered the existing ranges. Converting them to UK market spec would have been relatively cheap, as the design and productionisation had already been worked out. Seems that there was a combination of “Not Invented Here” and lack of funds for easy wins such as this that prevented us seeing these cars on the UK market. So many brilliant products, but so many missed opportunities.

[@paulchappell]

Hi Steph. Another fascinating video. A very tastefully modified vehicle. (Nice outfit, too!)

[@grayfool]

Very interesting. Now if they had produced an estate version, that would have been amazing.

[@glenndavis479]

I'm sure the later Austin Kimberly were the up market model.

[@grayfool]

@@glenndavis479 We didn't have the Kimberly in the UK.

[@glenndavis479]

@@grayfool Yeah they didn't go down to well here in Australia for some reason.

[@basilpunton5702]

​@@glenndavis479Typical BMC/Leyland problem of too late.

[@roberthorseman7432]

There was an estate conversion done by Crayford conversions basically a saloon with a tailgate.

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Hi Steph - what a really lovely vehicle. I agree with you - it should have been marketed over here. I love the 1800 styling and comfort, and that extra load space is brilliant. You did an excellet job of reviewing it - thanks and take care 🙂

[@chrisginostravels7388]

I remember owning an 18:00 when I was in the army back in the late 70s and to this day it is the best car that I have ever owned. It had loads of space and as you have said, it was so comfortable. Great video. Thanks.

[@graemew7001]

Congrats on 50k Steph, you deserve more with an excellent channel like this. I'd buy one of these converted like this, it is stunning. I've been watching through the back catalogue again and your style, both fashion and presenting remain the same and I can see why you're hitting 50k, so down to earth.

[@JonFea-e5y]

Glad you did this review Steph, I would not call the 1800 very popular here in Oz, but we owned an 1800 Mk1 Sedan in New Zealand and it was a very good car - comfortable and incredibly roomy. Very underrated in Aust. But as you allude to, Australia really wanted 6 cylinder Holdens and Falcons, Chryslers for those big distances (and preferably rear drive) and BMC, then British Leyland products were fast gaining a reputation for poor quality build and reliability - particularly when Japanese and European marques could do it a lot better. The horrible Morris 1500/Nomad, Marina then P76 sealed BL's fate in Australia. The 1800 got re-released as a Mark 11 addressing many concerns but Aussies had lost interest in it and BMC/BL generally.

[@rjbiker66]

Don't forget the Tasman and Kimberley.

[@007JHS]

Would be called a panel van in Australia... a ute is what Americans would call a pick-up truck... but a very lovely vehicle... And as someone has already said the 1800 mk 1 and mk2 were very popular in Australia.

[@Lobo-ih3bh]

Thanks for the explanation. They never made a factory panel van, so it is clearly based on a ute. So it is a modified Austin 1800 ute.

[@stooartbabay]

The factory did indeed make 3 “panel van” 1800s.. for the Australian Air Force and used as ambulances… but they all disappeared before the end of the 70’s..

[@007JHS]

@@stooartbabay Heh heh heh.... tucked away in some farm sheds somewhere not to far from RAAF bases no doubt.

[@leeosborne3793]

That car is my favourite colour, so I appreciate the matching dress too! Really interesting vehicle.

[@markbrocklehurst6129]

I've been watching your back catalogue. Your passion for classic cars shines through

[@anthonytallarida4192]

Way to go Steph, definitely one of your best videos so far. True by not being enough engine capacity for Australian market. I love how you always match your outfit with the colour of the vechile. When will you be doing a MK1 Ford Escort? Keep up the fantastic work Steph you are the best

[@giuliopedrali4794]

Fantastic, better than a number of today's supercar

[@cchc13]

My Dad worked for Leyland Australia in the late 60's early 70's in their parts and accessories at Moorebank in New South Wales and on days when he need to move things around at work or home he would be allowed to burrow an 1800 Ute, we owned an 1800 ourselves but ours was an English made made which was imported in to Australia as the GM's personal car. I had the chance to move the Ute around at our home when it was used by dad for work. Loved the ute and was good to drive

[@daff.wallace2267]

My father bought a ute back in 1970 in Melbourne, Australia. It was a great car and had a great width between the rear wheel arch. The ride was amazing for a ute just as smooth as a sedan. Lasted for years.

[@robertdemeny251]

I've never seen this model before. It looks fantastic. PS! You dressed up in matching colours for todays presentation 👌

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Always a favorite. Built like a tank! Our neighbours had the rare Wolsley with the auto gearshift on the the right on the dash by the door! was always envious while we were stuck with a shitty MK2 Cortina👍👍

[@jamesgovett3225]

Yeah your right, we knew the 1800 Utes were pretty good back in the day for what they were but I think mainly being front wheel drive added complexity when really FWD was in its infancy and also the generation of buyers back then were scared of that layout as they wouldn’t be able to fix them on the side of a bush track with fencing wire and a shifting spanned so to speak especially when up against rock solid, full Aussie rear wheel drive Utes as in Holdens, Ford Falcons, Chrysler Valiant and Dodges up to F series Fords and all with a vast array of powerful six and V8 engine options the little Austin’s and other cars like it except the burgeoning start of little Utes from Toyota and Datsun but they were rear wheel drive so they had a head start, all our Australian Utes were rear wheel drive right up to the end of Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore production in the teens, don’t forget we built other British based designs like Standard Vanguards and Mark2 Zephyr and Consuls and Ford prefects and the list goes on in utes that sold reasonably well alongside our home grown ones but they were rear wheel drive, it seems to me that what British Leyland or BMC should have done was forget about selling them here in Australia but probably sell them up there to you in Britain where they might have done better!

[@helmuthhaass3631]

I had a job with BLMC in Melbourne. I think that the toggle switch next to the main wiper switch (W) controls the two wiper speeds. When it rains in Sydney, it comes in bucket loads. What a beautiful example of a 'Landcrab'

[@DSP1968]

Congratulations on hitting 50K subscribers! I really enjoy your videos. And...this is quite a stellar example, well modified.

[@MyJon64]

The clock looks like it came from an old Rover (a model before the P6) I wouldn't be surprised if the car originally had a full bench seat across the front as well! Definitely a very useful and desirable car.

[@glennlingard7851]

Looks like the clock in my Austin Vanden Plas 1300 as well.

[@stevenmoran4060]

A lot of the saloon cars had the front bench seat.

[@stooartbabay]

Yes, all Utes came with a bench seat as standard

[@johnpritchard2772]

Hello Steph, what a very enjoyable video!! What a shame the car was not made for the UK market too. Our daughter lives in South Australia, nothing thought of going 60 miles each way to a fish & chip shop for tea - "just down the road"!! Best wishes from Lincolnshire

[@robertjefferies8739]

Im Australian and I had a love for these Ive owned Mk1 and Mk2 sedans I think they were great cars

[@mikedearinger9390]

THAT COLOR AND MAG WHEELS SET THE AUSTIN OFF AS A REAL CLASSIC. LIKE THE YELLOW ENGINE LOOKS GREAT! THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@johnmichaelrichards]

Love the retro outfit and hair styling, in keeping with the era of the car.

[@The-Rectifier]

Personaly , i find the design of this " Ute" is better in balance than the more common 1800 saloon. 😊 Ill never get use at the angle of the steeringwheel....its if driving busses ore lorries .. Great presentation Steph!!!

[@nonamespecified1262]

Wow i love that thing, proper cool, and that paint job pops. Gorgeous.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A stunning Panel van conversion Steph, a really enjoyable review as always Steph.

[@Sonnymonster]

There is something strangely desirable about this car/van❤️ I can’t believe I’ve woken up on a Monday morning and fell in love with an Austin 1800 van🙄 Ain’t life strange😁 We’ll done on 50k👍🏻❤️

[@thistimeimhere]

That looks amazing. Love the styling all round. One of the more attractive car based van things I've ever seen.

[@nigelh4617]

Congrats on 50K subscribers, Steph, well deserved 🎉

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

As an Aussie I see lots of British cars be imported but have never heard of a British car being exported back to the UK. I found the sellers ad for this way back when and they spent a pretty penny on it.

[@idriveaclassic]

I’d love to see that advert!

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@idriveaclassic Links sent to your email.

[@brycechessum4684]

Zephyr and Velox utes have been taken to the UK from OZ and some Vauxhall Vagabond roadsters and even the odd Caleche

[@philwells4341]

I'm about to bring back an Aussie assembled Triumph2500S.

[@johnd8892]

At least one P76 Targa Florio model in blue seems to have been picked up by a UK collector. Made it to the thumbnail of Mr Hubnuts coverage of an NEC classic show about a year ago. I saw an Australian Zephyr ute in his NEC coverage about a week ago. A surprising number of Australian muscle type cars in his Australia Day at the ACE Cafe coverage.

[@telecasteredtodeath]

Well researched and narrated, great vid and and beautiful looking car. Somebody must have went to a great deal of expense to bring that beauty back to the UK from Aus.

[@michael5089]

What a beauty! And congratulations on the subscribers! ❤❤❤❤

[@elroyfudbucker6806]

Heaters were common in Australian cars. It does get cold in most places here in Oz, but only up to about 9AM or so. Then you turn the heater off. It also does rain quite hard here, too so a 2 speed wiper is nice to have. That steering wheel looks suspiciously like an Italian Nardi wheel, which can be very expensive.

[@jayartz8562]

Winter is all day cold in my part of Australia.

[@stooartbabay]

They came with single speed wipers… any 1800 today that has two speeds has been converted by someone at some time.

[@ianmitchell3725]

Mk 2 got the 2 speed

[@daviemaclean61]

I want one! I like the 1800, but I love that conversion. Congratulations on the 50k

[@MySteamChannel]

My mate had an Austin ute here in Oz & we would cart our scout troop around in the back during weekend events!

[@OfficialMudandRubber]

In my opinion this is the best car we’ve tested so far, it’s the only one I’ve thought ‘I really want to take this home!!’ Such a cool build 😁

[@idriveaclassic]

If we win the lottery, there will be signs xxxxx

[@HLife719]

Wow, what a pleasant surprise! I had seen some pictures of this car and was delighted - I want one, too! And now you’re presenting this outstandingly beautiful specimen. Thanks for an excellent choice. Thanks also for all the effort of making these videos for us all. Congratulations on the 50,000 subscribers. I’m one of them. 🤗

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much 💕💕💕

[@andrewdouglas3091]

Good video, Steph. I’m an Australian BMC fan and owner. I’ve got a 1966 Morris Mini Deluxe and 1977 Leyland Mini Van. I’ve owned heaps of BMC cars, 1100’s and a bug eye sprite. Minis and 1100’s are my favourite. Australia doesn’t get a lot of recognition for its contribution to car manufacturing. Australia made some amazing cars and took foreign cars and reengineered them to meet the conditions needed. The 1965 Minnie Deluxe for example was years ahead of BMC England. Take a look if you can. And even the Australian Morris Cooper S, so many standard features, and it won Bathurst. I think Australia did a good job. Now there’s nothing left, but memories. Sad.🇦🇺

[@minimaxi802]

The Landcrab was launched in late 1964 as the Austin 1800, the Morris came in 1966. Early cars have horizontal rear lights before the Mk2 facelift in 1968 now with vertical rear lights. The Wolseley 18/85 came in 1967 and this had different rear lights. And by 1972 there was the six cylinder option, Austin/Morris 2200 and Wolseley Six. There was no estate option and this is the shape it would look like if it went into production. But there were some Landcrab conversions, I remember funeral car hearses and limousines.

[@stevenmccloskey4866]

What a great video. It looks like it goes along pretty well and handles the wet roads with confidence. I reckon you're right about it needing 2 speed wipers. Once again, great vid.

[@gerbertperson]

Congratulations on achieving 50 thousand subscribers Steph!!! You’ve absolutely earned it. 🎉🥳🎊

[@robertchapman6795]

Great review Steph. Saw a few in my time, but never many around. Mum had a LandCrab in the early 80’s. Still a comfortable and roomy car even then. Sadly, her’s was unreliable. Still, good memories for this young kid. 👍 Congrats on 50k subs. Well deserved.

[@paulohare8483]

Great Steph! Your vids are informative and inventive. I love your passion for the vehicles and your natural manner. A great appreciation for the 1800 ute

[@QualityClassics]

Hey! So happy for you! Glad to see your channel growing! You're still welcome to come visit us in Texas!

[@metalmick99]

This brought back memories: my father had a pale blue ute with canopy, and it was remarkable. The load height was very low - I seem to remember it was little more than a step up to get into it. I measured the load length once and it topped 8' (2.4metres or so). I'm not so sure about the comments about "egg sellers" in the "outback" wanting a good ride though. I seem to think my father's ute had a heater (with a fan/blower!) already in it when he bought it as the second owner. Despite the reputation for the Austin 1800 - unaffectionately referred-to as a "land crab" - being that of an unreliable vehicle with suspect CV joints, wet-weather performance with the coil and distributor just behind the grill, and the Hydrolastic suspension prone to failure, my father's ute never once showed reliability issues. It just went. And went. And went. The 1800 sedan was replaced with the Austins Tasman and Kimberly with a 6-cylinder engine, and despite being warned repeatedly by wise Holden and Ford owners that mine would break down, the Kimberly I owned was just as reliable. But that is perhaps a story for another day.

[@suznet]

Beautiful looking vehicle, for an Austin 😂 I would almost consider 1 if they were available, nice coat Steph 👍

[@stooartbabay]

Graeme Lord who lives in Bowral NSW did all the mechanical work on this car, he also owns what I consider to be the best Austin 1800 Ute in the world… it is just awesome !

[@andrewbarnes1295]

Congratulations Steph!

[@volt8684]

My dad had one of these was fast and comfy. Came from an 1100. Big engine twin carbs flew up hills and the seats were amazing.

[@eathan323]

Fantastic piece of kit shame we never had them here although I expect they would have disappeared by now with our weather I had a Austin 2200 back in the day it was lovely and big and quite quick I never seen so many speed cameras in such a short distance must be dangerous in that area keep them interesting vids coming stepth

[@eggy1962]

Dangerous spots have a yellow background around the speed limit marker……other than that its more likely income generation from fines

[@johnjtm1097]

Well done on getting to 50K subscribers Steph. Here's to another 50K!

[@steveastin2684]

That is absolutely gorgeous, the colour suits it perfectly even liking the wheels straight into my top 10 dream garage cars, great video and congratulations on reaching 50k subs

[@davidmatthews1463]

I imported the car from Australia and I had LItesteer fit electric power steering and it transformed the vehicles' handling.

[@gordonmynard855]

Regarding heaters - I remember we got standard heaters in 1967. Seat belts for the front seats had started but weren’t compulsory wearing until some years later

[@philtaylor9038]

Well done Steph on 50k subs, also what a vehicle I reckon a 2 cv owner would be all over that given the chance.

[@allanmollison6971]

Congratulations on getting 50k subscribers Steph. Thanks again for sharing another great video 😊👍

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Nice car! I modified the light button on my Jaguar XJ40 for the reason said in the video: It was way too easy to walk away from the car and forgetting the lights on. It was a simple and inexpensive mod: I installed a relay powered by the ignition switched power and connected its contact to the light button. So no key in the ignition, no lights.

[@slappedhappy9549]

Great Outfit for a great car!😍 I love your channel,Stef! I’m Stefan from Germany.🙋🏻‍♂️

[@josephmifsud8261]

Wow. Such a rarity. Great colour. I've seen an ambulance version of this at my local car show

[@dr.t.]

That looks so nice with w modern wheels, I like old school with a modern touch, great channel 👏

[@privateinformation2960]

Im a born and bred aussie who lived in the uk for a year and a half, first car was a 23 year old 1974 ford cortina . around the corner from me in sheffield someone had a TC Cortina *ute* which id never seen before over here. I dont know if it was sold like that or a modification but it was definitely a head turner.

[@metricstormtrooper]

When I was working on the outskirts of Sydney, I had to take the work Landover back to Leyland Australia, at Revesby for what felt like constant repairs to the fuel system, while I was waiting yet again for the lady I noticed the works had an 1800 ute, except that it was powered by a Rover 3.5 litre V8, I wish they put those into production. I later had an Austin Kimberley, which I drove in rallys, dirt short circuit and motorkhanas, it was great at dirt short circuit and ok on rallys but it kept on breaking😵 congratulations on your 50k subscribers, keep up the good work and the interesting vehicles.

[@stooartbabay]

The factory did indeed make a rover V8 powered sedan, but it was crushed when BMC/Leyland folded… maybe it was this unique car that you saw?? If so you are one extremely lucky person!!! :)

[@Rossbott1964]

Used to have an 1800 saloon many moons ago…pre synchromesh days hence I never knew whether I was coming or going 😄….I’ve just subscribed 👍

[@janath9118]

Austin 1800 was a beautiful car. I remember seeing a few of the cars here in South Asia where I live. They were expensive at that time. But I was not aware that they were front wheel driven and has hydrolastic suspensions. Here these cars disappeared from sight many years ago. I saw this model after so many years. Good memories! This particular car was modified into a van, and I do not like the modifications. I prefer it to be in original form. Even the steering wheel was not the original. Thereby its sentimental value is lost. Anyway thank you for the video!

[@shanefarrell2780]

Hi Steph. This vehicle used to live a few doors down from me, the chap who owned it was the first uk owner, he had electric power steering fitted and the custom metal back made/fitted plus possibly most of the other mods to make it a usable classic. That owner done nothing on the cheap with any of his cars. These mods were done before I spotted it on his drive so unfortunately i cant tell you who carried out the work. I know he had tried to sell the ute before he moved away, I guess he did eventually part with it because knowing the type of person he was you would have had an information overload and known every single detail about this car. It's an unusual and great vehicle to celebrate your 50k subscribers, well done.

[@stooartbabay]

The original mechanicals work was done by Graeme Lord who lived in Bowral NSW.

[@martinsadler707]

Stunning! As a pick-up man this ticks for me.

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

Here in Australia these were known as Land Crabs. A mate of mine owner one, well one goer and about 10 he bought from the wrecker. The problem was that he lived at the end of about 20 kilometres of dirt road and the old Land Crab would shake itself to pieces and was always blowing the hydrolastic suspension units. The wrecks were an ongoing supply of spare parts. Eventually the motor was so knackered that he had an arrangement where the oil collected from the blowby that came from the worn motor and fed it back into the engine. Comfy car to drive and be a passenger in on bitumen though.

[@jono.pom-downunder]

There's still a few land crab Ute's knocking around near me in Victoria. One still used as builders wagon.

[@hannchris2762]

Hi Steph what an amazing car absolutely love it

[@mikewysko2268]

The restoration and modifications are well thought out. Looks like a fun drive.

[@fruitychink]

I loved my Austin 1800 .It was a real workhorse back in 1978 and it did 120k without issue

[@rogerwileman9965]

I had one of the 1800 car one of the best I have ever driven

[@gregbolitho9775]

Nice, saw one of these in Ballarat, growing up in the mid 60s in sky blue.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Great retro mod - looks wonderful! Pity we didn’t get an 18/22 estate here in Blighty - the additional length really helps the proportions.

[@johnd8892]

Neither did Australia. Just the Austin 1800 four door sedan then late in production a ute or open pick up version as well.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

@@johnd8892I meant that the Ute platform would have made a good estate, not that one was ever produced.