Sensible Secondhand Classics: 1971 Austin 1300 GT Mark III (ADO16) at the Great British Car Journey!

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Welcome to Sensible Secondhand Classics, the series where we take a sensible classic car worth between £1000 and £5000 and put it through its paces in a very straightforward manner! This time we are at the Great British Car Journey in Derbyshire and we have access to the museum as well as the Drivedadscar.com experience. This 1971 Austin 1300 GT Mark III is one of the cars which are part of the experience, and so brace yourself for some cones in a slalom (again), following in the footsteps of Ian Seabrook, a bit of a tricky gearbox, a very full complement of instruments and generally little of any consequence at all. Nothing untoward then!
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As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
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[@Koulis_]

For me this car makes me drool more than a Ferrari. Absolutely beautiful.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it's a really popular exhibit at the Great British Car Journey. Thank you again for watching, sir!

[@mpersad]

What a lovely example of this model. In the 70s many of my family's friends had examples of the Austin 1300, and indeed my grandfather had one for a while too. I remember, even as a child, thinking how very well made they were. Much better than my grandfather's next car, a Ford Escort!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the Mark I Escort was a much simpler car than something like this. If you find one with a good gearbox, and in the sort of condition this one is in, then they can be absolutely delightful. Shame about the terrible rust!

[@tbeau6663]

Nobody will ever talk lovingly about it's successor, the Austin Allegro, the car that helped signal the long slow death of British Leyland!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, that is where you are wrong. I have driven two Allegros and a Vanden Plas 1500, and I enjoyed them all very much.

[@michaelarchangel1163]

I only ever got a ride in an Austin 1100, with a policeman I've known since I was a teenager. He gave me a lift at a bus stop and I recall that he complained that people in front of us hit the brakes to slow down, when they spotted us in their rear view mirrors. Pandas aren't always as friendly as the Chinese seem to believe, but he wasn't a pedantic cop, unlike some !

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, Pandas aren't necessarily the friendliest animals, are they? Thank you very much indeed for watching, Michael.

[@martinclapton2724]

My grandfather had several ADO 16 models , just standard 1100 , I think it might have an estate model, then a 1300. Seemed quite nippy cars for what they were, but I was comparing to my fathers Morris Traveller 1963 vintage! My grandfather later went onto Fiats , after he became impressed with my fathers Fiat 125 Special ( twin cam , 5 speed, all round disc brakes etc ) . It was always debated whether the ADO 16 in Riley Kestrel , MG 1300 , and the early Austin 1300 GT models had the same engine as the Mini Cooper S , aside from being just a twin carb model of the standard unit. Rumour has it , some of the “strengthened “ Cooper units might have found their way into the performance variations as mentioned. I also worked, whilst at school , for a National petrol station, ( remember those? Smurfs as well ! ) . The owner had a MG 1300 . Body wasn’t in great shape but it absolutely flew along … 100 mph easy on . I think Motor magazine tested one at a genuine 102 mph in late 1960s so quite a forgotten car .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, we very much like the Riley Kestrels, a delightful variant of them. The 1100 would have seemed quite nippy next to a Morris Minor Traveller, I imagine. You could probably tune something like this 1300 GT for even more power, the chassis is good enough to take it. Thank you for watching, sir!

[@jamesmurmurzancone4532]

Could we please have the British Leyland song on the intro, especially when reviewing BL cars.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sadly not, sir, as I got in copyright hot water about that sort of thing last year.

[@TheHorsebox2]

Used to love that song...

[@willswheels283]

Great review Joseph, that’s a lovely example of an ADO16, I think the GT was the “sports saloon” version of the car and they are indeed good to drive and handle really well(if a little bouncy!) I had two ADO16 consecutively, an Austin and Wolseley 1300, just like a big mini really but having more space.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, we liked this one, although the gearbox was a bit reluctant, which wasn't the case with the other ADO16 I drove last year. Thank you again for watching!

[@jb3222]

I drove that very car on my visit to the Great British Car Journey and, despite being brought up on ADO16s, could make no sense of its gearbox/clutch, which was a shame as that model is usually a joy to drive and that example has otherwise been beautifully restored. Really enjoyed your review

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

You may have seen some footage of the Austin 1100 I drove last year in the video on this 1300 GT. The 1100 had a much nicer gearbox than this 1300 GT for some reason... It is really strange that you experienced the same thing that I did! Thank you very much indeed for watching.

[@user-rw4hz4wi8n]

I owned a 1971 1300GT in Harvest Gold. Lovely little thing....and I soon found out it had mixed tyres when I tested the servo-assisted brakes!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

A recreation of those old Public Information Films about not mixing radial and crossply tyres (which always seemed to use ADO16s) probably was a bit alarming!

[@roygardiner2229]

The design of "the 1100" (forgive me calling it that, that's what we called everything based on the 1100) still looks great after nearly sixty years. Austin produced some splendid cars over the years" it's a shame the company has gone forever. FYI: (from Merriam Webster dictionary) enjoin verb en·​join in-ˈjȯin en- enjoined; enjoining; enjoins transitive verb : to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they have been called 1100s for over sixty years, regardless of the engine size! It's a very neat design, and you can see why people just kept buying them back in the day.

[@dominicjackson2498]

I always find reviews of ADO16s a touch “bittersweet” for want of a better description. As you point out, it got so much right and was such a big sales success. BUT… it seems like the high water mark for BMC/BL and the British car industry in general. For whatever reasons, some BL’s fault and maybe some not, they never had such a massive hit again. It feels a bit like the automotive equivalent of ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All” - an almost perfect crafting and what followed just couldn’t be and wasn’t as good.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@dominicjackson2498 , yes, the ADO16 was a massive success for BMC and British Leyland. The Allegro wasn't nearly as bad a car as those who haven't tried one will tell you (I have, and it was pretty good), but I do understand why it was possibly not as popular as these.

[@stanionman8178]

I bought one of these from new in February 1972, in Teal Blue with lime flower interior, brilliant car, kept it for two years, swapped it for an MGB of the same age, oh dear, what a mistake, to be honest that dashboard with that steering wheel and the dial layout sold that car to me 😂I was only 21, and one thing I remember when driving it home after picking it up for the first time from the dealer, was the brakes, omg, they were so strong, I used to pull up about 5 yards short of a junction 😂my previous car was a Morris Oxford 2nd gen 1962 with drum brakes and no servo, so, when I applied the brakes on this it took me a day or two to get used to how powerful they were 😂 But I really enjoyed driving it, and regretted getting rid of it so soon 😕

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, good old servo assisted disc brakes! A 1300 GT won the concours section of the British Leyland Autumn Rally last September in that colour. I think it also had a limeflower interior. I actually drove a Maxi in that colour (with the same colour interior) in 2022. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@tz6414]

Love the steering wheel , just need some perforated driving gloves to grip it and hustle it though the turns.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I need to get some of those gloves the chap who drives the Lamborghini wears in the Italian Job!

[@williamhodgson1428]

My first car was the MG100, loved it, looking at this beautiful example, from the rear it rather resembles the MGB GT, another car I’ve owned and loved.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, I have literally released a review of an MGB GT V8 (albeit a modified one) on the channel this week! Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@Tony-yp7ok]

Identical to my first car, though mine was a Morris, ‘69… brings back so many memories of good times!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching, Tony! Glad you enjoyed the video, ADO16s are amazing little cars.

[@jaywalker1233]

My Dad had one of these, in white, for about 9 months in 1974 when I’d just passed my driving test at 17 and I thought it was a fantastic car to drive - I absolutely loved it! It was also very comfy +plenty of space and acceleration was incredibly quick in 2nd + 3rd. Plus it just looked so sporty with the black Webasto roof. Such a shame the company lost the plot with its car range - this model never got the attention it deserved.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

There was a lovely blue 1300 GT at the BL Autumn Rally that I attended in Milton Keynes over the weekend. Everyone seems to love this one at the Great British Car Journey, and yes, they looked fantastic with the alloy wheels and the black vinyl roof. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@MyJon64]

I'd certainly love a 1300GT in that condition but as you say 'Your looking at more than 5k

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh yes, this is fully restored and in immaculate condition, so much more than £5,000 for one of these, particularly as it is a 1300 GT! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching.

[@aslandama]

Always loved these and even remember riding in one as a kid, I've never seen one in this colour though.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a great colour for them, I think. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Brilliant little review Sir, a lovely looking car indeed.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir! This does look absolutely amazing.

[@Tipperary_man]

Our house was very much a British Layland home, I know!!! Then again we had an Austin Mini Cooper, Mark 2 Jag (maroon), Morris 1000 (Mogie, we had 3 of those) , Austin 1300 (red), Triumph 2000, Mk 1 (the car I learned to drive in), Austin 1800 (The Landcrab, it was massive and cumfortable, with incredible legroom in the rear and 35mpg, amazing. All my friends dad's were buying the Ford Cortina, what did they know! BL cars weren't rubber stamp cars like FORD (Fix Or Repar Daily) offerings. Sadly the family BL project came to an end with the Austin Maxi 1500, which again was way way faster than it should have been and I just love the convenience of the hatchback and couldn't understand why one had done this before? I past my driving test, second time in Kendal, Cumbria in Aug 1979 and went out that day and bought my dream car, well it was 1979 an Austin 1300 GT from '72. It was bright orange with a black vinyl roof. I think it was about 70bhp, twin carb, ooh the noise. I loved every little bit of it, even down to rotting sills which I helped replace with father a few weeks after buying it so it could past it's MOT. The car was only 7 yrs old and had pretty much rusted away in all the important structural places :( I think all it took to repair it was a sheet of aluminum, tin snips, rivet gun and a 2lb lump hammer, oh and a weekend of time in our garage. The car was so comfortable with that hydrolastic suspension, only French cars from Citroen beat it for long drive comfort. No matter how hard I thrashed the car on my buddy trips to Morecambe and Backpool flat out down the motorway I be never got under 35-40mpg. If it wasn't for the rustling into dust issue I think I'd still have it. It was a car way ahead of its time, an upscaled mini with its transverse engine, hydrolastic suspension, acres of room and 35-40mpg mpg what was not like? Well, the rustling to dust in few short years was the main problem with this car. as it was with nearly all cars from that era, especially. Fiat and East European cars which rusted even before they were driven out of the garage forecourt (Fiat laughably had a 2 or 3 years anti rust warranty).

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I have done two ADO16s (which actually both appear in this video), a Landcrab and a Maxi on the channel before. In fact, I think links to a lot of the British Leyland videos I have done are in the video description if you are interested. The rust on the ADO16s was absolutely terrible, wasn't it? Most cars were like this at the time, however, as you say. The gearbox was a lot better on the first ADO16 I drove, but it was very underpowered, whereas this was far more like it. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@mattw8332]

That's a lovely version of the ADO16. 😍 I bet I wouldn't have got cramp in my right ankle driving one of these instead of the Minis I owned. John Cleese also drove an 1100 or 1300 in the 1986 film Clockwise.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, John Cleese did indeed drive one (which gradually fell apart) in Clockwise. My parents loved that film... It's much more comfortable than a Mini, but still very charming.

[@thomasjones3946]

Cracking video i had a white one swapped it for capri 😢wish I still had the two of them now

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you enjoyed the video! These are still great little cars, aren't they?

[@user-cu6eq9rh4l]

I hope you enjoyed that review , I did very much keep em coming Joseph.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

There's an awful lot more on the Sensible Secondhand Classics/Reviews playlist as well as about ten of them listed in the video description for your viewing pleasure...

[@seancooke7332]

I enjoyed this immensely Sir. A very fine restoration and a Very Fine Car. Love it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I thought you may be partial to something like this, sir! Thank you for watching.

[@recone829]

I had the white one with black leather roof in 1975...paid 750 for it secondhand...it was from 1972 K Reg. Drove on 5 star petrol...and was fast!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! Yes, if you tune these up a bit, they can be pretty nippy. Good old vinyl roof!

[@TheHorsebox2]

Who'd have thought a sporty version of the ADO16 was possible. But it did work, oddly enough. My Dad had a Morris version. Then again, who's Dad didn't have one of these? 😊 Very nice review.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed! My uncle passed his driving test in one of these (although it wasn't a sporty one), and they were just exceptionally popular back in the day. The gearchange on this one is a bit stiff, but otherwise it drove really well.

[@johndrake2729]

That red TR7 looks dope standing next to the 1300.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The link to the TR7 review is in the video description...

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

All you need now is for Basil Fawlty to turn up with a branch...

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We talked about him the last ADO16 review, sir!

[@Banom7a]

it need some damn good thrashing

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@Banom7a , didn't have a sapling handy at the time.

[@MrSheymie]

What a lovely little car in such pristine condition.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It isn't bad, is it? Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@skellertons113]

The tail lights outlived the 1300 by many years on the London FX4 /Fairway Taxi.

[@skellertons113]

Yes you just mentioned that. I like the way you say "feeding the wheel", correct, not push pull, that is awkward, just gently feed it, very professional.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed! I filmed seven cars on the same day at the museum (list of some others should be in the video description), and enjoyed them all in different ways. The gearchange on this one did take some getting used to, however... I had to feed the wheel, as all but one of the cars I drove had no power steering!

[@skellertons113]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I have never driven a 11/1300 so can't comment on gearbox, perhaps double declutching may help. Back to steering, I was taught that if you can't turn a corner without resorting to hand crossing, you are turning too fast. Now it is even worse as most cars have power assistance, people palm the wheel round, even on tv Police shows. I will check out your other videos, I see you have done one on the Marina which I have driven.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@skellertons113 , yes, the Marina wasn't bad at all, actually. I preferred it to the Vauxhall Viva that I also drove on that day. I am not really an expert on things like double de-clutching, as I really mostly only drive automatics or modern manual cars these days, but back in the day, many people would have got the best out of cars like this by doing that. I actually passed my test on a car without power steering, which has actually really helped later in life!

[@skellertons113]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I crossed my hands on the wheel a few times today, very bad, I told myself off. I would give double declutching a go, there are plenty of You Tube videos on it, mainly lorry based, and some on "floating the gears" as Americans call it, not using the clutch at all, apart from starting off and stopping, now that is something I never mastered. I am a big fan of pre selector and semi automatic 'boxes, they take away the effort but you are still in control.

[@tomeasterbrook9486]

Definitely the nicest 1100/1300 variant - although I had forgotten about the Riley version

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, we like the Riley version, sir! A very tasty derivative indeed. Thank you for watching!

[@frothe42]

Delightful review, thank you very much!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir! More classics coming up later this week.

[@lewis72]

The MG 1300 was, I think, only available as a 2 door. Not sure why they had 2 sporting models (Austin/Morris 1300 GT & MG 1300) but then, they had 3 luxury models (Vanden Plas Princess, Riley Kestrel & Wolseley 1300 ). A shame that it wasn't sold has a 5-door hatchback or 5-door estate.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I don't think that the Austin/Morris 1300 GT was sold at the same time as the Riley, which was discontinued in 1969, so perhaps those took its place in the line up, given that the Riley had hitherto been sporting and luxurious, but I am not sure.

[@lewis72]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I think you're correct ! I'd never realised that not all of the models ran concurrently. ADO16 was UK's best selling car for years then they screwed it up with the Allegro.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's right, the Allegro didn't sell nearly as well, sadly.

[@johndrake2729]

​@lloydvehicleconsulting As a kid, I used to think the Allegro was a Marina with the boot chopped off, like the Golf/Jetta (chronologically in reverse) and the Gremlin/Hornet. I happen to think the AD016 looks much more sophisticated than the Allegro.

[@peterbarrowclough7278]

Its a mk2,not a mk3,pillars and dash are different. Good vid.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, I suppose given it is a 1971, it is on the crossover on the Mark II and Mark III models. It doesn't seem to have been as major an update on the GT models as on the other from ADO16s I have seen.

[@teamJJontour]

Good Evening Joseph, I have to say that as much as I love Avengers, I would rather like an AD016 from Riley in my garage. A timeless classic. Thanks for the great review.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, we like the Riley and Vanden Plas versions in particular! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

What a stunning example, a lovely little car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a lovely restoration, sir, it's just a shame the gearbox isn't the best in this one.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@Lloyd Vehicle Consulting Yes, it's a fantastic job, MR Lloyd, Probably on the open road, the gearbox would feel more manageable. Nevertheless, it's a great looking car, I was very surprised.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. , you know where to come if you want to drive it for yourself, sir!

[@peterriggall8409]

Beautiful little car. 😍

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! A lot of people seem to really like this.

[@davidgodson8260]

I too have driven that very car and had trouble finding the gear Jbñ

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That is a relief that it isn't just me! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching.

[@richardhowlett9424]

Perfect example of the breed ! A far better looking car than the dumpy Allegro, although we all know why .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, a fine ADO16. The Allegro never realised its full potential, sadly.

[@mazzolajewelleryandgallery2100]

Just ignore the wowsers

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Are you a wowser?

[@johnmontgomery9149]

I don’t know so much about watching your videos. They are fine as long as you turn the volume off and don’t have to listen to you.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Turn the volume off, then.

[@nickyboy.]

5th

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well done, sir!