One Car Garage. British Leyland.

"Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh" (andymcbradleigh) 10/23/2013 at 16:00 • Filed to: One car garage

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SO.. I've been sort of picked out as Erics assistant... or should that be "I begged on my knees to become his... ah screw that..." Thing is, he'll do more of the mainstream stuff (mostly 'cause his grasp of the queens English is a tad better than mine) while I'll do the odd stuff.. You'll have to bear with me the first few times, since I'm not used to do this type of things I'm bound to make a mess of things the first few times.

Welcome to One Car Garage, in which we choose a manufacturer or class of vehicle, and you decide choose single vehicle (no matter how old, no matter how exclusive) to live with for the rest of your life. This is your only vehicle, and all expenses are paid for, including price of entry, insurance, gas, etc.

Today we're doing British Leyland (BL), a company mostly known for making.. well, SHIT really. They made "cars", "trucks" and other stuff by that name from 1968 - 1986. Today we are not focusing on cars, we're allowing all sorts of things made by BL, if it had wheels and made by BL it's OK. What do I choose? Well.. a Wolseley Saloon actually... Baby turd brown with a chocolate roof.. Why? Well it' was not the best car made by BL, but it was a rather iconic one. And a mate of mines dad had one when I grew up (albeit that was a Princess, but pretty much the same thing). And it was almost as quick as a 2.5 litre Ford Consul.

I think it looks rather awesome in a way.

Lets Just Drive > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:02

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I have a question, with no follow up, and that is; which vehicles manufactured by BL were available in the NA market?

I was too young, and not paying attention, while BL was busy not making cars because strikes are fun!

505Turbeaux > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:03

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in this same vein, I will take an SD1. Dont ask why, it just is

http://www.eastgatemotors.com/rover.html this one taunts me daily

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:03

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EL_ULY > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:03

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off to Google because i have no clue about anything on those cars lol :]

EDIT : im guessing Mini and Triumph count here so... Spitfire :]

we have one here at work

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:06

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Well, there's the Mk3 Spitfitre

Handles incredibly well, under 1600lbs, and 75 HP and 75 lb/ft (most power ever made by a Spitfire), and gorgeous styling

But I'd have to go with the TR6, of course.

Need I say more?

Anyways, the SD1 should get an honorable mention. They really tried, and it was kind of cool with a manual transmission and 3.5L V8.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Lets Just Drive 10/23/2013 at 16:06

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I have NO idea mate, I'm born and raised in Norway.

Lets Just Drive > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:08

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And I'm born in raised in Canada.

I'm sorry.

CalzoneGolem > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:08

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Dolomite Sprint because real wood trim.

TheJWT > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:08

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I've always liked the look of SD1's. Specifically the custom 5.2 liter one Jeremy Clarkson used in "At Full Throttle" (Which apparently wasn't allowed to drive at racing circuits because it was too loud)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > 505Turbeaux 10/23/2013 at 16:10

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That's a brilliant choice mate. And i don't NEED to ask why, the SD1 had it all, Sporty(ish) design, the famous british build quality, AND it could be had with a V8 OR a Diesel (and som other boring engines).

A great choice.

MikeMeade > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:10

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I used to have a British Leyland car as my only car.

My '77 MG midget looked exactly like this one. I loved it. It was the only car my wife and I had for a while. It wasn't necessarily utilitarian, but that was okay. I still have it, but it is unfortunately in about 100 pieces while I rebuild it. Someday... Someday... It will be my only car again.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:11

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MGB GT V8? Fun fact! The V8 actually weighed less than the base motor, so more power AND better handling! And 4 cylinders more wire harness smoke..

Who needs sway bars anyway > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:11

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Easiest question ever asked, Triumph GT6

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > EL_ULY 10/23/2013 at 16:12

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The reason I picked BL(BMC) was because it a rather known brand, if you need to resort to google now, you're going to have a frigging aneurysm when I start doing the really strange stuff :)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Who needs sway bars anyway 10/23/2013 at 16:14

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Good choice.

GhostZ > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:15

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I'll take the Jaguar XJ12 Series 2 Coupe, with a 5.3l Jagur V12. Technically the engine XJ12 line emerged from Leyland, even if the XJ had been around before then.

Of course, they only made a few thousand (a few hundred a year) so it makes for a good fantasy car. I'd have it in sleek black.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken 10/23/2013 at 16:15

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Well done, I'm actually considering trading my Civic for a GT V8.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:15

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I don't know if this technically counts, though Jaguar found themselves under the BL hat in the late 60s (Sometime by 1965 and on.)

If not, the Jaguar XJS.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > MikeMeade 10/23/2013 at 16:16

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A BL as your only car? You sir = BRAVE MAN. Lovely colour on that one.

GhostZ > CalzoneGolem 10/23/2013 at 16:16

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(NSFW classic movie trailer)

Dolomite?

DOLOMITE.

Bonhomme7h > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:19

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Class.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/23/2013 at 16:19

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It is somewhat of a stretch and not really what I meant, but I'll allow it ;) it IS my first OCG after all.

GhostZ > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/23/2013 at 16:20

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The E Type Series 2 (with the large bumpers and fender flares) counts. It came out under Leyland.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > CalzoneGolem 10/23/2013 at 16:21

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The dolomite is a sweet car, I had one. For like two days, then the electrical system got hickups..

CalzoneGolem > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:22

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I've wanted one ever since Hammond drove one for the Leyland challenge.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > GhostZ 10/23/2013 at 16:22

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I think I'd like mine in BRG with a tan interior really.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Bonhomme7h 10/23/2013 at 16:23

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Pure class... can't deny that.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > CalzoneGolem 10/23/2013 at 16:24

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That was actually what inspired me to buy one :P Stupid choice it was.. but I've done worse.

I think it'd be great as a car nr. 2 or something, but as a DD... nah.

Brian, The Life of > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:25

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A Jaguar XJS V12 ... since all maintenance expenses are covered ;)

CalzoneGolem > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:25

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Everything I've learned about British cars tells me that they make poor dds

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/23/2013 at 16:27

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Crap.. I forgot about the Mini... rather embarrasing that is..

EL_ULY > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:29

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LOL right

AMC/Renauledge > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:29

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Jaguar XJ12C

The luscious looks of the XJ, plus the V12, plus the sleeker pillarless coupe body.

Also: Because racecar

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:29

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Sounds like a good trade! There's a beautiful stock one in a nice cream color in my neighborhood I drool over.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > CalzoneGolem 10/23/2013 at 16:30

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Yeah, but the thing is, well, I love them. And as with all infatuations you really can't think straight.

Jonee > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:32

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Probably a Stag because I think they look great and that emblem is killer.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken 10/23/2013 at 16:32

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I've got this feeling tho' that my '97 civic MAY be a better DD than a MGB . The one I'm looking at is in the lovely colour of mustard.

Your boy, BJR > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:36

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I've wanted one since I was a small boy and watched Vinnie Jones mash up a man's head in the door.

Your boy, BJR > GhostZ 10/23/2013 at 16:39

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Who?

Dolomite muthafucka,

MikeMeade > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:40

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It was only used on a couple of years, and is called Chartreuse.

I'll admit, I worked on it a little less than I drove it. Of course after a while it becomes like anything you do every day. I remember figuring out problems before they happened because you could feel the way the engine ran in the car, or you could feel the way the suspension moved slightly off. The car had no electronics, and feedback was direct.

It was however, hard to get the Christmas tree home from the lot.

Bonhomme7h > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:41

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And your nails will never be clean again.

Pure Sunday mechanic heaven.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Your boy, BJR 10/23/2013 at 16:41

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That was Vinnies first film as well. Great Choice.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > AMC/Renauledge 10/23/2013 at 16:46

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That racecar must've sounded AWESOME. I've seen pictures of it before, just wish I could've been there when they raced it.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:50

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Psssssh, crazy-talk.

davedave1111 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 16:52

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The least BL car of them all. Killed by the same issues that plagued the company - mismanagement, bad timing, and a failure to actually build any cars - but a proper Aussie muscle car - 4.4l of Rover V8 under the bonnet - with most unBL-like build quality: the Leyland P76 .

Pushing the boundaries of 'production', I'd like to have one of the 8 Force Seven coupes that were sold to the public.

Sadly, the estate version never made it on sale at all before the whole thing got canned.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > davedave1111 10/23/2013 at 16:56

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Holy H%&¤.. I never knew about this car, it looks STUNNING. I want one now..

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Lets Just Drive 10/23/2013 at 16:58

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There are a lot of cars sold in the US that were made under the companies that eventually became BL. BMC sold the 1100 and 1300 ADO16 and the Austin America, as well as a handful of classic minis. Under the same banner, MG sold the MGA, MGB and MGC. You also had the Jaguar XJ.

Then, under Leyland you had cars like the Rover P6, Triumph 2000, Triumph TRs 2-5, the Spitfire and the GT6.

All those cars were created before the merger of BMC and Leyland to create British Leyland in '68. After that, there was the Stag, the TR7 and TR8, the Rover SD1, the Jaguar XJ-S were all sold in the USA under the auspices of BL.

There are probably others, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

RX > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:09

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I like the TR250.

505 - morphine not found > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:16

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I personally would opt for an XJ-C, but i see someone did that already, while there's no love for the Range Rover. This needs to change!

Though the car is plagued by cutting corners both by the accountants and the work-force, the genius of the original design shines through even this. If you have the will and nerves to sort one out, it'll then take you anywhere, on any road, in perfect comfort. I just love it.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > 505 - morphine not found 10/23/2013 at 17:19

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Just make sure it's got the right engine :)

desertdog5051 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:20

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Triumph was part of Leyland/British Leyland. So this.

davedave1111 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:21

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They're pretty awesome, right? I'm quite fascinated by BL, in a train-crash sort of way, and what makes the whole story so pathetic is that, as cars like the P76 show, BL could have achieved greatness if only they'd been able to actually do anything.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:29

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Oh damn. I think this is the hardest one yet. At least a third, maybe even half of all the cars I really like were manufactured by BL (or BMC/Leyland before them).

I'd probably have to go for a Triumph GT6 Mk2. Balance the bottom end for higher rpm running, triple carbs, proper CV axles at the back, off-white with an offset, green triple stripe as an homage to the Group 44 GT6s.

...or a Triumph Stag with the 16v heads from a Dolly Sprint grafted on for a 32v V8.

...or a Jaguar XJS V12, lightened with an exhaust cutout.

...or an MGB GT V8 with a tuned 3.5l RV8 running EFi and a Jaguar IRS

...or a Jaguar XJC with either a tuned 4.2l XK or the 5.3l V12, done exactly like this:

...or a Dolomite Sprint running fuel injection.

...or a TR6 with a tuned version of the Rover/Triumph 2600 I6, running fuel injection (maybe bored out to 3.0l).

...or a Rover P6 3500 with a tuned Rover V8.

not sure I'm cut out for this 'one car garage' malarkey.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 17:33

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Wow mate.. you win this, I think... sort of.. But yeah, this whole OCG is kinda hard for me as well.. there's always a ton of cars I'd REALLY like from any manufacturer... and BL(I'll allow BMC) is a VERY hard nut.. It'll be easier to choose later on, when I go into the more unknown carmakers..

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux 10/23/2013 at 17:36

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The SD1 is a proper British bruiser of a car.

It's a real shame they went from this to the Honda-based Stirling/820. If they'd have continued with the RWD V8 bruiser I reckon they'd have found a more successful market, especially in the US.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken 10/23/2013 at 17:43

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Don't forget pretty similar fuel economy too.

I really don't know why they didn't sell more MGB V8s. Production capacity for the RV8 played a part, but the opportunity to make a mint was there.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > davedave1111 10/23/2013 at 17:48

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Good man. Love the P76.

It's a real bugger it came about pretty much at the exact moment BL ran out of every last drop of cash. I reckon it could have sold reasonably well down under, and maybe a little in the US as well.

Imagine one of those thundering up Bathurst.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:52

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Yeah it's a bugger. They may have been awful at putting cars together, but they were damn good at coming up with cool ones.

I'd prefer BL's mix of interesting and poor build quality to post-MR2/pre-GT86 Toyota with their phenomenal reliability and heinous dullness any day.

davedave1111 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 17:55

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Not just running out of cash. Typical BL, they managed to build a really good gas-guzzler just as an oil-crisis hit. Comedians would kill for that kind of timing.

There was never just one problem at BL. The whole thing was like a pair of siamese-twins fighting over which one gets to shoot them in the foot.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 17:57

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Let's put it this way. I've had both a NSU Ro80 and a 1969 Simca 1501.. I must hate myself in some way.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 17:59

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Boss. I love those old oddball cars. Ones that people nowadays think 'NSU, is that a car maker'?.

What were they like?

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 18:10

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The NSU was.. well.. not that great really, the transmission was a mess, sold it pretty quick. The Simca was a great car, until I needed some new parts for the rear axle, i searched for over a year without finding anything that wouldn't have cost me more than the car itself..

But they were old, so kinda fun in a slow way :P

My first car was a 1979 Opel Kadett C, it was a 1.2 litre with 50(ish) HP. I didn't get my license until I was 19 (you have to be 18 here in Norway), and since then I've owned 30-40 cars or something (I'm now 32) I think the average age of my cars are about the same age as me :P

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 19:03

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We're discovering the same thing with our Lada unfortunately. Most parts are really easy, but anything that's RHD specific (like the steering box that broke) is really bloody difficult to find.

We're lucky and have found one, but they're like hen's teeth.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 19:11

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A Lada? As in a proper AutoVAZ? I figured your username meant that you had a 228.. and now you tell me you have a Lada as well? If it's a 21xx(1500/Riva) i must say I hate/love you.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 20:02

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We do have a 228, but we've got a Lada Niva as well (among others) :) it's a bit of a rust bucket, but it's just excellent. Horrendous ergonomics, but that's easily offset by the chunky wheels and orange decals.

I can't wait to get it back in working order so I can go mudding with my mate's Defender.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 20:06

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A NIVA??? DUDE... I LOVE them.. Needs locking diffs here and there tho' if you have not fixed that already :) And a diesel... hehe.. but them wheels?? Damn, that machine should be a BEAST in the mud/forrest.. You could go out hunting fox hunters with that :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 20:15

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"You could go out hunting fox hunters with that"

Hah. Great idea :)

We've looked for locking diffs. There's a company that sells them new for around £400. That's approaching half of what we spent on the whole car, so if we find any on eBay for cheaper we'll go with them.

For the time being, it just needs the new steering box replacing and one of the driveshafts and it's good to go.

I was speaking to the mechanic who does the more bastard jobs on my 156 and the Niva came up. He said that a couple of years ago he'd swapped a tuned Fiat twin-cam into one of these, good for upwards of 170bhp. That thing must have been a monster, considering this one has all of 79.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 20:18

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Did you know that the word niva means Crop field in Russian? Hehe.

Anywho, a fiat twin cam in that thing would be insane.. but that got me thinking.. what would it take to get a Ford YB in there?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/23/2013 at 20:24

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Not sure, it's fairly spacious. The actual YB probably not too much hassle. If you want turbos with that you might need to do some chopping.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/23/2013 at 20:28

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Yeah, I was thinking about a turbo engine, the YBP to be specific.

Jonee > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/24/2013 at 01:00

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Thinking about it, I like the Wolseley Six, too. It actually looks good which is something for a car with the Wolseley badge in that era.

Eric Siedlecki > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/25/2013 at 12:24

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Damn work made me miss this one yesterday. I'll have to come back when I have time. My work schedule hasn't been nice to me this week.

SpeedSix > 505Turbeaux 10/28/2013 at 23:00

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Take the Vitesse - Rover V8 power with proper (non-BL) reliability

SpeedSix > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/28/2013 at 23:03

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Either one of the weird luxury Minis:

Wolseley Hornet, or

Riley Elf

SpeedSix > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 10/28/2013 at 23:09

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Daimler DS420 limousine

SCARPS22 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 11/01/2013 at 14:26

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I'll take an MGB/GT with a V8, flared fenders, sans bumpers and watch those Porsches disappear in my rear view window!

Svend > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 11/10/2013 at 06:25

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For myself it has to be the Rover P5. Such an elegant beauty with a 3.5litre V8. Driven by Prime Ministers and Her Majesty. This one being the Queen's own car.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Svend 11/10/2013 at 09:24

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My old neighbour has three of those, magnificent cars.