PROTOTYPE TESTS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31753, 9 August 1968, Page 9

PROTOTYPE TESTS

pRE-PRODUCTION proto- , types of the Austin 3- | litre, which was announced j at the Earls Court Motor Show last October, have been tested for about 10 months by a wide selection of drivers. Each driver, and in many cases their wives, filled in an eight-page questionnaire on the car. More than 300 questionnaires were completed, and as a result several alterations were made to the car before it went into production several weeks ago. Although the car’s technical specification was approved by almost all the testers, some alterations were made as a result of suggestions, the British Leyland Motor Corporation says. As far as styling was concerned, the original rectangular headlights have been replaced on production cars by round units which also give better lighting. Some drivers

felt the power steering lacked sensitivity, and production models have less power assistance and more feel in the system as a result. About 100 Austin 3-litres are now being made each week. Many of the questionnaires suggested a more luxurious version of the car, and this is a development which is still being explored, the company says.