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| Remembering the wedge - this was the last Wolseley 2200 off the line, as well as the last for the marque |
British Leyland can be remembered for lots of things. Unfortunately not many of them were inspirational. Industrial disputes, poor management, shoddy workmanship and unreliability resulted in the undoing of a once thriving British motor industry. The 1975 18-22 Series was meant to be one of Leyland's flagships during this troublesome period. It ended up being one of a group of cars that suffered regular ridicule ever since.
The branding of 18-22 was in reference to the two available engines; a 1.8 litre 4 cylinder and a 2.2 litre 6 cylinder petrol. Badge engineering was rife and the range consisted of an Austin, a Morris and the more upmarket Wolseley; the only real difference being changes in trim and the badge on the bonnet. The Wolseley variant was only available with the larger engine and featured such 1970's delights as luxury velour trim.
Like its sister models, the Wolseley featured Hydragas suspension which was intended to make the ride as smooth as possible, (British Leyland looked towards cars like the Citroen CX for inspiration). Unfortunately the engines weren't that powerful and the drive was pretty hit and miss. Reliability was also a big issue and this very much tarnished the reputation of the 18-22.
The styling was always a love it or hate it affair. Designed by British Leyland ace Harris Mann, the 18-22 Series was crafted using the popular wedge-like styling of the 70's, (the Triumph TR7 is another good example). At least you could call them different...
Design and packaging was so-so. Space was pretty much best in class as was comfort but this was undermined by the lack of a 'hatchback'. Rivals mostly featured a practical tailgate and Leyland's creation suffered due to its traditional boot. The whole vehicle dated very quickly.
Towards the end of 1975, the Wolseley name was dropped altogether and the range was re-branded Princess, (Austin and Morris badges were also deleted). The vehicle was in effect the Leyland Princess and it's this name that most people remember it by. Both engines were still offered as well as differing trim levels.
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| The lack of a 'hatchback' rear, poor reliability and Marmite looks meant the Princess (as it was later known) suffered a stigma that it never recovered from |
Because of the lack of capital at BL, an updated model was launched to a bit of a whimper - the Austin Ambassador. A heavy facelift was really what it was and featured more conventional styling and the much needed (but rather late) hatchback rear end. BL did a similar trick of launching a supposedly new car in the shape of the Morris Ital, (ultimately a Morris Marina with a slightly more contemporary body). The Ambassador was never exported and sold in few numbers with the final models rolling off the Cowley production lines in 1984.