AUSTIN 1800 UTILITY

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32049, 25 July 1969, Page 11

AUSTIN 1800 UTILITY

An Australian-designed utility version of the Austin 1800 saloon will .soon be available in New Zealand, and w example, of the vehiclealready on show in Christchurch. The utllIty will be assembled tnNew Zealand- from September, and la expected to cost about 83150. The 1800 utility is designed to seat three persons on its bench seat, which has a slight notch in its edge to give plenty of room for the floor

gear-change. Automatic utilities are also made. The vehicle has a load capacity qf- 12001 b, and the deck is 82.3 in long and 4S5ln wide, bistween the wheelarches; qlsewhere 56t0? Wide. Lowering tits tailgate increases the length of the load deck by 22.26 in. ; i The vehicle has the same overhead-valve four-cylinder engine ai the 1800 car, and this unit produces 87 b.h.p. at 5300 r.p.m. As in the car, it drives the front wheels through either a four-speed

all-synchromesh gearbox or automatic transmission.

The utility is fee same as fee car, in its other mechanical features also, except that fee rear hydrolastic suspension is assisted by torsion bars so it can cope with heavy loads.

Poweressisted disc brakes are a standard fitting, the fuel tank holds 13 gallons, there are 3.8 turns of the rack and pinion steering from lock to lock for a 37ft turning circle, and the spare wheel is stowed under the rear of the tray.