Austin Apache

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Austin Apache
1976 Austin Apache 1.3 Front.jpg
1976 Austin Apache
Overview
Manufacturer Leykor (British Leyland)
Authi
Also calledAustin Victoria (Spain)
Production1971–1978
AssemblySouth Africa (Leykor)
Spain: Pamplona (Authi)
Designer Giovanni Michelotti
Alec Issigonis
Body and chassis
Class Compact
Body style 4-door saloon
Layout FF layout
Related BMC ADO16
Powertrain
Engine 1,275 cc A-series I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,370 mm (93 in) [1]
Length4,030 mm (159 in) [1]
Width1,530 mm (60 in) [1]

The Austin Apache is a small family car that was produced by Leykor between November 1971 and 1978. [2] The Apache was the last BMC ADO16 car to be produced. The Spanish manufacturer Authi also built a version of the car, called the Austin Victoria, at its Pamplona plant between 1972 and 1975.

Contents

History

1976 Austin Apache 1.3 Rear.jpg
1976 Austin Apache 1.3
Austin Victoria MKII De Luxe 1973.jpg
Austin Victoria MKII De Luxe 1973 rear iso view.jpg
1973 Austin Victoria MKII De Luxe

The car was styled by Michelotti, and based on the chassis and various other components of the Austin/Morris 1100. Leykor executives saw Michelotti's prototype in England and chose it for production in South Africa, where ADO16 sales had been dropping. While the car's centre structure was that of the Austin/Morris 1100, its front and rear styling was all-new, styled (particularly at the rear, where the boot was a notchback) to resemble a scaled-down Triumph 2000/2500. The tail lights, and outer sections of the rear bumper were the same as those used by the Triumph 2000/2500. [3] See also the more comparably sized Triumph Dolomite and Triumph Toledo.

In 1973 the Apache received a minor facelift, introducing proper CV joints, round Smiths gauges and a rod linkage for the gear shift. Originally, the ADO16 used rubber drive joints, a strip speedometer, and a remote extension gear lever. [3] Also in 1973, the sporty TC model was added to the lineup. Power was up to 75 PS (55 kW) at 5,800 rpm, compared to 63 PS (46.2 kW) at 5,250 rpm for the 'cooking' versions. [1] The TC also received Rostyle rims, vinyl roof, a rev counter, and a sporty steering wheel. [4] All versions of the Apache and Victoria used the 1,275 cc version of BMC's venerable A-series four-cylinder, with a variety of outputs.

Production

South African sales
VersionApache [2] Apache TC [4] Totals
1971455—455
19723,908—3,908
19734,6076495,256
19743,7258574,582
19753,3566754,031
19761,8305172,347
1977749236985
1978494291
Totals'18,6792,97621,655
  1. 1 2 3 4 Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 77/78 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1977. p. 85.
  2. 1 2 Auto Data Digest 1981, Randburg, South Africa: Mead & Mcgrouther, 1981, p. 302, archived from the original on 8 March 2012, retrieved 27 December 2010
  3. 1 2 Williamson, Martin. "The Apache Story: Introduction". KEW Engineering Ltd. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 Auto Data Digest 1981, p. 303, archived from the original on 8 March 2012


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