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SLIDER: 1959-1962 Austin Lancer Series II

The Austin Lancer was the Australian-built version of the Wolseley 1500. This is the Series II with longer front and rear panels and small fins at the rear.

BMC Australia built the Morris Major and Austin Lancer between 1958 and 1964.  Introduced in 1958, the Series I cars were designated DO1101 and developed from the contemporary Wolseley 1500 and Riley One-Point-Five models then on sale in the United Kingdom. They were produced at BMC Australia’s Victoria Park plant at Zetland in Sydney, Australia and were unique to that country, containing up to 98% local content. The Morris Major/Austin Lancer/Wolseley 1500/Riley One-Point-Five all shared the same core design, originally developed as a possible replacement for the Morris Minor but launched as Wolseley and Riley models when the Minor refused to die.

The DO1101 was a lightweight, close-coupled saloon incorporating the front torsion bar/rear leaf spring suspension, floor pan and rack and pinion steering from the Morris Minor. All models were powered by the B series power unit of 1,489 cc, mated to an MG Magnette type 4-speed manual transmission.

Although comparatively modest, the Major/Lancer was quite a modern car with a generally high level of comfort, quality and value. And sporting: specially prepared cars were raced into the early 1960s.

The Series II models, designated DO1115, were released in July 1959 and were thoroughly re-engineered and subsequently better received than the Series I models.  They had an extended wheelbase, tailfins and new front sheet metal.

Photo courtesy of Peter McFadyen. See his website: http://petermcfadyen.co.uk


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