What if

General Modelling Forum => General Modeling topics => The Idea Bank => Topic started by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 01:34:13 PM

Title: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 01:34:13 PM
My stepfather used to own a Wolseley Six ,wooden dashboard and blue nylon seats, the Australians took the Austin/Morris 1800 and turned it into a Ute which got me thinking, why not go down the convertible route.
Crayford offered the estate ( as the word hatchback wasn't in common usage at the time) with an extended roof rack. Which was the largest flat space with the seats folded down at that time in the fleet so I have read. I have found a black and white photo of a Leyland test vehicle which shows the rear glass extended and a box-looking rear door. (Just need to find it again).
Occasionally there's a resin bodyshell on Ebay or the die-cast model cars made by Dinky. I think Vanguards also have the Austin 1800 in their range.
I'm not too sure about Corgi but I will check.
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: PR19_Kit on September 02, 2022, 02:44:12 PM
The 1800 Estate was an intended model in the 1800 range, but it was cancelled when it was obvious that it was just too similar to the forthcoming Maxi. The Maxi was a little narrower and shorter, bit offered  almost the same internal space as the intended 1800 Estate.

1800 Estate.jpg

The 1800 Estate prototype, the only one built.


Maxi.jpg

A Maxi, you can see what they meant..........   
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 04:56:10 PM
There was an intended Riley badged 1800 but this was dropped. Maybe it Vanden Plas version.
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 05:17:28 PM
I don't know if this is a genuine photo of the Austin 1800 estate test vehicle.
(https://i.imgur.com/cl4gGnh.jpeg)
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 05:21:24 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/6rM107M.jpeg)
Looks like the Australians had the same idea to build an estate version
Sourced from the AROnline website for further information about the subject.
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 05:26:09 PM
I don't know how to add multiple photos, so here's the rear end to the picture above.
(https://i.imgur.com/hlstKU5.jpeg)
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 05:32:03 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Vo2lDG7.jpeg)
I'm not too sure if this is the same car.
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 05:39:28 PM
The stretched version
(https://i.imgur.com/5RfbeeV.jpeg)
Or would you buy the Austin 3Litre.
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 02, 2022, 05:42:04 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/WJ2QQeM.jpeg)
The should have been Wolseley 3Litre
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: PR19_Kit on September 03, 2022, 12:03:40 AM
That green one is the only one that looks 'official' to me.

The others look very much like coachbuilt conversions by the likes of Crayford etc. Some of them have stretched floorpans, either in front of or behind the rear axle line.
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: NARSES2 on September 03, 2022, 05:43:47 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on September 02, 2022, 02:44:12 PMMaxi.jpg

A Maxi, you can see what they meant.......... 

That photo would probably cause outrage nowadays  :-\
Title: Re: Austin/Morris 1800 convertible
Post by: McColm on September 03, 2022, 08:04:12 AM
That's the Porsche Panamera ;D