"I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have." Part of the joy, I think, of watching your videos is knowing that nobody else could possibly have enjoyed it as much as you clearly did.

My dad had the Kimberley's cheaper sister, the Tasman. It had a bench seat in the front and carried our family of 6 in silky smooth, roomy comfort. Dad owned it for about 20 years.

@manoman0

Жыл бұрын

I plan to keep my car for 20 years as well.

As an ex owner, the main problem was reliability, they over heated due to the underspecification of the fan controller theromoswitch, the siamised engine design had insufficient cooling in the water jacket, they also had a ridiculous load on the water pump with if I remember 0.22 thou clearance and they had valve matching problems. The car also suffered from fuel vaporization problems when hot and was hard to start. The Kimberley also in mark 1 twin carb form was hard to keep in tune and had cam issues with lumpy idle. Mine was a mark 2 manual vehicle and I loved it when it was running well. If developed it could have done well and had plenty of buyers on release, the 1800 did well in Australia compared to the UK with the Australia operation rectifying many faults in the British model such as dipstick calibration. Unfortunately in this country reliability is paramount and even though the Kimberley / Tasman was in many respects mor advanced than the Holden, Ford, Valiant (better brakes, better torsional rigidity and superior handling) its rushed development and reliability issues frightened off buyers. I paid $450 for a good example in 1980 for a 1973 compliance model (built 1972) . After investing at least $2000 to try to get it reliable I sold it in 1984 for you guessed it $450. It was when running well extremely comfortable and relatively quick. It also suffered from cable problems in the gear change. I did love the brave attempt and design however and regret that it did not have sufficient development. If the cylinders were not siamised which I believe was only specified due to Issigonis specifying a side mounted radiator in the Maxi the engine would have been less build critical and possibly more reliable.

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, it annoys me that Britain really simply did not seem to understand that better cooling was required. British cars cooked in America too. Yet people kept buying them! For a time at least...

@alanm2809

4 жыл бұрын

@@HubNut they actually diverted the passenger air vent ducting to cool the carb, so the passenger one is not connected in order to alleviate the vaporization issues.

@PaulinesPastimes

4 жыл бұрын

Regarding the overheating. It is interesting to note that on the British version of the E6, the thermostat housing is on the opposite end (driver side) of the engine so that it flows more coolant than the very restricted outlet next to the exhaust manifold on the Aust engine. Just a simple modification that could have made the world of difference to the Australian car but I suppose that's what happens when you are first off the mark with a new design. Lovely car. Cheers.

@davidbeard7262

4 жыл бұрын

@@alanm2809 Silly heat exchanger between the inlet and outlet manifolds didn't help. My car was much happier with that removed.

@philhealey449

4 жыл бұрын

@@alanm2809 "That's it chaps, to hell with occupant comfort, we'll divert the ventilation airflow to the carburetor !" Leyland design thinking working with its customary optimum approach!

In the 60's almost all Aussie cars came with vinyl seats! No need to dry yourself after a swim, just carefully place your towel down and try to avoid skin contact anywhere else. Fantastic review!!

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

Plenty of hot, sticky vinyl action to come on this tour!

@MrButtonpresser

4 жыл бұрын

@@HubNut You do spoil us!

@bogfinken

4 жыл бұрын

@@HubNut 🙈🙉🙊

@chrisross2916

4 жыл бұрын

I can still remember the 3rd degree burns to the backs of my legs when I forgot the towel! :-)

@ianmontgomery7213

4 жыл бұрын

@@chrisross2916 not to mention the steering wheel!

My dad bought a Ariancia Tan with parchment trim Kimberley in Jan 1973. We owned it until mid 1982. Great handling comfortable car. Taught me how to maintain mid corner speed and about point to point time. Never a powerhouse but quite a few V8 ford and holden drivers got a shock when a Kimberley was all over them in the twisty stuff

Very interesting. I worked in the Experimental Dept in the British Leyland plant in Sydney in the 1960's. Great engineering team, they designed, developed and eventually manufactured a Utility based on the 1800. Will look forward to your next review.

That red ❤️ interior says “Look at me, look at me, look at moi, Kimberley!”

@edgarbeat275

4 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha

@billytoohey8887

3 жыл бұрын

No Pom's ever gunna Know what you meant by that.

@audreyfforbes-hamilton

3 жыл бұрын

@@billytoohey8887 Lol! I’m English! We got Kath and Kim here too! 😂

@nygelmiller5293

3 жыл бұрын

@@edgarbeat275 posh carpets!better than in your house!

I was waiting for this. My uncle had a Kimberley of which he was roundly mocked. I'm waiting now for your p76 review.

im an aussie who's never taken an interest in anything british-derived, but you're sure making me change my mind! love your enthusiasam

Those doors must have been the most versatile part ever produced by BMC/BL.

@paulqueripel3493

4 жыл бұрын

Or the Marina door handle.

@984francis

2 жыл бұрын

Other than the Marina / XJS door latch handle.

My English dad had a Morris Tasman I remember when growing up in Auckland in the early 1970’s. One of the first cars I ever drove! Big fan of your videos!, you showed off New Zealand very well indeed!

@shaunw9270

4 жыл бұрын

He certainly did an excellent job of showing us around NZ . Wish I was there ! Cheers from Blighty 😉👍

@ianmontgomery7213

4 жыл бұрын

@@shaunw9270 Were they nadged as Morris in NZ?

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

Morris or Austin in NZ as both dealer chains still existed.

@shaunw9270

4 жыл бұрын

@@ianmontgomery7213 I'm in Britain so no idea...ooh , answer below ! ☺️👍

@davidedlin4155

4 жыл бұрын

The Morris version was, as I understand, a New Zealand only model. Austin's were also sold new in NZ.

As a holden and ford driving lad it had me stumped when a young lady asked me why her kimberley 4 speed manual wouldn't go into gear. A motor mechanic mate told me it was due to a failed O ring. I had to call in a favor for him to fix it, he really didn't want the job. The gearbox was in the engines sump and operated by cables to the gear stick. The failed O ring would allow engine oil to fill up the cable sheath and stop the cable operating. That was over 40 years ago and other than that a nice car to travel in!

A dream come true, well done and what a beautiful example. Now that's the car you should take back to the U.K..

@niceviewoverthere4463

4 жыл бұрын

Yes! Come on Ian, you know you want to! Of course the owner wouldn't allow it. No more in the shops, sadly.

@graemew7001

4 жыл бұрын

Can you imagine trying to prize it away from the owner though? That would be a monumental task!

@Lepusrabbit

4 жыл бұрын

Yes agree should take back to Uk 👍

Seems I really really like the look of 70's Brittish cars. I think this car is supremely beautiful. I also like the Landcrab, Allegro, Princess, etc. I hope this kind of design gets a revival someday.

I owned a MkII Kimberley in the 70's as a new purchase. The critics can go to the blazes. It was supremely comfortable front and back; quiet; smooth and reliable. A good engine it performed well but it was a trifle under geared. Handling was brilliant - peerless. The armrest didn't get in the way of the gear shift if you used it properly. Vinyl was normal for all Aussie cars of the time. I loved the car

My mum owned one of these in the early 70’s ,orange paint with all black interior,I loved it,had a soul.Gdsy from Melbourne,Australia.

The X6 range was styled by Roy Haynes.. Think Mini Clubman, Marina, MK2 cortina etc. I think he did a really good job of tidying up the 1800. It's a shame Leyland lost him in the early 70's. Great video Ian. Thanks

Fun fact: The Kimberley/Tasman was also the first ever Australia assembled car with an electric cooling fan

4 жыл бұрын

But with a General Motors American engine....

@paulstandeven8572

4 жыл бұрын

@ Where did you get that idea? The video stated clearly that the Kimberley / Tasman cars used an Austin E series six cylinder engine, as used in the 'Landcrab' and Princess. It's a six directly related to the Maxi four cylinder engine. FWIW the only GM overhead cam six cylinder engine was the '60s one used in the Pontiac Firebird. It was around 4 litres

@scottgraham9205

4 жыл бұрын

Australian assembled Renault 12 and 16 would like to argue that point... The X6s would be the first true Australian built car with an electric fan though. Semantics, I know.

@tungstentwohundredandtwent7007

4 жыл бұрын

Max Tickner ??? General Motors American engine? No, I don’t think that’s correct. Can you explain what you mean?

@mervynstent1578

4 жыл бұрын

Lindsay Ellis Max Tinkner is getting confused with the Leyland P76 V8 engine! Which as we all know was ex GM

My dad had a white one that he bought new. Great handling and ride. He had problems with the gearbox cables - I remember him taking them out and replacing them over summer holidays one year. I still have them hanging on the garage wall.

As a child, we crossed the Nullarbor in one of these in ~ 1973, from Adelaide to Perth return in the middle of summer, towing a heavy 6x4 steel trailer loaded with jerry cans of fuel and water. Large sections of the road were still dirt, completely unpaved. Absolutely mad my dad was, but as Duntroon graduate, dual Vietnam tour commander, and former instructor at Sandhurst he was a very capable man, afraid of no challenge whatsoever. Love the empty space in the engine bay, even more space in your later video on the Marina. I can’t even fit my hand anywhere inside my engine bay of my Mitsubishi 2.2 tdi, it’s ridiculous.

Glad you have found something to float your boat out here. I did have a Morris Nomad (1500) for a while in the eighties. Much more alive than the Austin 1300 I had in the UK but that OHC was a bit noisy. The survival of these great cars is a demonstration of the harm caused by salt on British roads. You should see my 1977 Triumph 2500. All metal - never welded. Pantograph wiper too :)

It's a travesty that this car never became a mk3 Landcrab for the U.K. market!

@glenrea

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed. The awkward looking Landcrab got a very good makeover.

I had a 6 cylinder marina and a 6 cylinder P76. And 2 V8 P76s. Loved all of them.

Absolutely love that red interior which would even put a late 80's US-spec Camry to shame! And I love the gearbox noises. Such an appealing car! Great video Ian!

@garypeatling7927

4 жыл бұрын

Gearbox components were out of mgb cleverly fitted into fwd case

@markrossow6303

2 жыл бұрын

a little gearbox whine is fine by me lets you know you are in the right gear, along with engine sound w/0 even glancing at the tach

That interior is surprisingly stunning.

@baggierols73

11 ай бұрын

Great description 👍

That's a beauty, for sure. I'm trying to imagine an alternative universe where this car was sold in Britain and the 'Austin' marque is still used to this day, producing a competitive range of affordable, stylish and modern cars sold all over the world, not unlike, say, those of Skoda in this universe.

@petripellowack9205

4 жыл бұрын

They weren’t competitive. They overheated and wouldn’t run properly on a hot day. Or a cold day. Or a rainy day.

My Dad was Boss of the paint shop at Leyland when he was there, & also helped in testing the P76 with trips to Charleville from Sydney. We had three company cars at different times , Our family car was a purple tasmin with Kimberly fittings, & the ol boys personal touch in the tuning. Thanks for the memories.

75 now & been in & out of the motor trade ,,, Owned /sold & driven loads of stuff people have never heard of , but must admit this Aussie wonder never showed up on my Radar , Great NZ suff, looking forward to OZ, Keep up the good work...

My No1 gripe about modern cars, is that the dash now extends down and between the front seats which forces you to sit with a straight left (RHD) leg. On long drives, you end up with a sore knee.👍

@BungleBare

4 жыл бұрын

Especially unnecessary when most volume cars are FWD. Even as late as the mid ‘80s my Dad had a Rover 213 that had no centre console, which made the car feel very spacious. The dash was still equipped with a fair amount of equipment (and even a tea shelf - TM Furious Driving). There is no need to have the bulky centre consoles really, other than possibly to ape the dash layout of RWD “premium” brands, where the transmission tunnel brings the centre of the floor most of the way to the base of the dash anyway. As with many things in cars, the modern way of doing things is not necessarily the best way.

@CarlJones14

4 жыл бұрын

@@BungleBare Totally agree. I have a 2008 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. Which is auto/flappy paddles, which has enough space between the dash and seats for a large bag, if you so wishes. Left leg does nothing so not that unsafe unless you've already lost control. Even the manual has loads of soace.

@CarlJones14

4 жыл бұрын

@Eric Williams my seats aren't hard.

@bentullett6068

4 жыл бұрын

I think the Honda CRV is one of the only cars on the market that has a perfect driving position.

@CarlJones14

4 жыл бұрын

@@bentullett6068 Driving position is such a subjective subject. The best driving position that I have experienced was in an older Range Rover... King of the road feelinb, very comfortable, excellent high visibility. I've never owned a Range Rover.

Now that's an interior 😎😄

This is a much better looking car than the UK 1800 / 2200's and a very Australian car of the time. It's truly a shame that the problems with BL UK scuppered any chance of BL Australia from truly developing this and the P76. Awesome test drive.

Passed my Driving test in 1988 in a Damask Red Austin 1800 landcrab fabulous times.

This sums up your channel suffix Hubnut. The enthusiasm in your voice and on your face is priceless. What a lovely iteration of the Land Crab, and that is a beautiful example of this very attractive barge. A proper nice family saloon. Thank you very much for sharing your great video Sir 👍 Tam.

@MrOvershoot

4 жыл бұрын

I couldn't have put it better B.

@peterriggall8409

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I’ll third that.

My first car, mk1 in mustard. Overheating was a constant issue, but the rest of the car was okay, the seats were sought after by those modifying their Holdens or Fords, thanks for the stroll down memory lane, girlfriends, parking on quiet roadsides, humid nights, a little exertion and big slippery vinyl seats, the joys of youth.

@yixnorb5971

4 жыл бұрын

Beats being in ketchup.

@jeeves6490

4 жыл бұрын

@@yixnorb5971 Well, it has more letters than beige, must have been sophisticated.

@yixnorb5971

4 жыл бұрын

@@jeeves6490 I relish this video

@jeeves6490

4 жыл бұрын

@@yixnorb5971 good god man, we get it, it was a saloon car, in the condimental style.

@yixnorb5971

4 жыл бұрын

@@jeeves6490 nice one

Well done. We had teaching jobs in W Australia 1980-87. Owned a lovely 1800 mk2 and a mk 1 Kimberley. Sun visors and venetian blinds; no worries. "4/80" air con (4 windows fully wound down at 80kph)...Came to France on a year's contract. Been here ever since, rescuing/curating Citroëns, various. We returned to WA for a year in '96. Still a few crabs in regular use back then. Thank-you so much for the memory, mon ami.

@bryanwheeler1608

2 жыл бұрын

Before there was an open road speed limit, that was '"4 windows down & 80 MILES per hour!" A lot of the old 1960s Oz sixes topped out at around 86mph, but would cruise all day at 70-80mph, as would VW Beetles.----Brit stuff, not so much!

What a super car, no wonder you enjoyed that, great fun.

Thankyou Ian these were released right at the start of my driving life. Have driven both and the family owned a land crab. I could never understand why they were not accepted. Given what I drove myself I feel I should have been born in Europe. Make sure you get some Valium and a parachute when you drive the Marina 6. 1948 suspension with a six cylinder ouch

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

Oh the Marina more than delivered! It had been mildly modified...

@niceviewoverthere4463

4 жыл бұрын

...and perfectly balanced too! Just like the 4.1L Cortina :)

@philhealey449

4 жыл бұрын

Issigonis inspired spatial effort at its best. Off topic, looking forward to upcoming heavyweight motored Marina dynamic comparisons against this, hopefully beating the benchmark traumatic Triumph Mayflower . Reminiscences of an Australian ex Marina man I met however included the battery falling out at speed......

@howardsimpson489

Жыл бұрын

@@philhealey449 The Mayflower was very pretty but the most gutless car I have ever driven and that includes the sidevalve Morris 8's and Minor. The three speed Triumph required 1st gear for most hills, top was only just enough for level ground.

My first car was an Austin 1800, but I badly wanted a Kimberley, but couldn't afford it at the time. In the early 70's, Aussie's were scared by overhead cam engines, as it was commonly believed that to own a Jaguar you had to employ a full time mechanic as well. Mind you, the XJ6 Series 2 had just come out, so there may have been some truth in it!

My dad owned an Austin Tasman. He bought it new in 1971 from Seabrooks & Fowles in Hamilton, NZ. It was dark green in colour & had cream coloured bench seats. It actually had good acceleration from a stand-still. It was good car to travel in a long journeys & I have found memories of going on holiday with mum & dad around the North Island of New Zealand in it!

My mate had one of these very comfy & yes the back set got sticky & hot every Friday night !!!!!!

Just great. The Aussie motoring press were as excited as you were about this car but it did not translate to excitement from buyers. A great example of the marque. Those that owned them loved them. Great video Ian. I think I will have to watch it again........😊

@markrossow6303

2 жыл бұрын

(saw a DS 21 just a couple days ago, in Seattle)

@peterriggall8409

2 жыл бұрын

@@markrossow6303 Rare beast anywhere but particularly in the U.S. 😍

When an Austin Maxi and a Hillman Hunter have a baby...

@garypeatling7927

4 жыл бұрын

Zephyr grills in rear door pillar

@Stevie671

4 жыл бұрын

It would be an Ausman Munter.

My family had 1 when I was growing up. BEST car ever.

If thats the original vinyl interior its aged very well. The rear seats look so good they almost look re-trimmed. Stunning! :)

I feel that all my years of following you and you content on KZread, since the days when followers were measured in hundreds not tens of thousands, have all been building towards this video. I do not have the superlatives to share for this truly fascinating and wonderful car. My only concern is where we can possibly go from here. Thank you Ian.

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

Oh I reckon there's better to come from this trip yet...

Finally your first Australian road test made it to air and what a grand choice first review subject! I was always intrigued by the styling of this enigmatic car. I never saw many in my 47 year life time. I thought they were odd looking and I think the executives out BLMC probably thought that at the time as well. As you touched on, Australia was treated as a guinea pig market by Leyland. I would expect this car would be right up your alley and I was right!!

best thing about the Kimberley was the happy Hubut behind the wheel

My father used to sell these in outback Queensland BMC /Leyland when I was a kid.I used to repair these with my dad,I got familiar with all the faults usually from day one of the sale,hahaha.Door handles use to fall off regularly.This one looks like a showroom model.Surprising thing was that they used to drive quite well on corrugated dirt roads until the "fluid" leaked in suspension,then you had many many headaches fixing these.The interior was a very dark cherry red that would slit easily in the heat of the outback.We had a lot of fun racing these on dirt roads back in the day.

Hmm I quite like it. Looks more sorted as a design than the land crab.

What a lovely car, i love the vintage whine of the gearbox. It looks to me from the side profile as if the designers stuck the rear end of a Ford Zodiac IV on.

@zugbug1986

4 жыл бұрын

I thought that. Landcrab/Zodiac MK4 lovechild.

@drd6416

4 жыл бұрын

I was thinking that the rear vent on the pillar was a zodiac /zephyr thing too!

from memory these were first shown at Sydney Royal Easter show 1970. I worked at Leyland in the paint section, my job entailed putting colour coded tags onto the left headlight mounting to show what colour they needed to be with matching their interior later in assembly. Everyone got very confused when either the Kimberley or Tasman (cant remember which) rolled along the line with no ticker tape paperwork or anything identifying what it was or colour required. Management were embarrassed as it came earlier than it should have. First one I decided was to be painted blue....was supposed to be cream :)

Your joy of driving this one and conveying via video, shines through. Loved it.

Certainly did enjoy this one Ian! One of my Uncles back in the day had a Kimberley and I remembering going for a ride in it on many occasions. Wonderful memories. Such a shame they didn't do as well as they could have.

Yes, those BMC/BL missed opportunities... just painful to think of them. There did seem to be a kind of company-wide death wish - falling at the last hurdle all the time. Such effort put in, and then let themselves down. Great vid - great to see this motor. Thanks, man. ( Tasman )

I.LOVED.THIS.CAR! I had the Mk I T-Bar automatic and it was one of the nicest cars I ever owned. The cross 6 went like a scalded cat once you got the twin SU carbs sorted out. The only issue I ever had was on very hots days (40+ degrees C), the carbs would start to vapour lock and if you went even up a slight incline the engine started coughing from fuel starvation. I had a white version and it looked sort of aggressive with a wider profile tyre. Nice to see the old girl again. Very sorry I sold it. On the negative side, a mate bought the Tasman really cheap because it had blown a rear gearbox seal. He was a bit of a home mechanic so he figured "how hard can it be to change?". Once he realised he needed pull out the engine and gearbox, strip down the gear box, replace seal and rebuild, he sold it for parts.

@DoctorBrodski

4 жыл бұрын

I had a MkII Kimberley automatic in what looked like British Racing Green. The interior was all white with the exception of that black dash and steering wheel. Mine liked to overheat but was otherwise one of the most comfortable cars I've ever owned. I'd rate it right up there with the ZF Fairlane I had later. I'm also sorry I sold my Kimberley. I had a chance to buy a 1980 Valiant GLX and as a Valiant man I went with that and sold the Kimberley to neighbours who took the thermostat out of it and drove it until they cooked it. In the finish you could hear it pinging its head off coming up the street.

It's been too long since a Victoria Wood reference Ian. My Father In Law has just finished a Land Crab restoration so I think he will love this

Without doubt, the most handsome and well integrated derivative of the landcrab shell. Best video test of one I have ever seen, maybe the only test I have ever seen :-) Cheers

@timcarpenter2441

3 жыл бұрын

You would not think the doors were re-used. It was a gem. Then think of a wagon derivative! Third row seats even as no rear transmission.

@PaulinesPastimes

3 жыл бұрын

@@timcarpenter2441 I agree. It should have been more successful. A concept ahead of it's time.

The beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW. There are plenty of bends nearby. The vacuum gauge was a fuel economy measure. The aim was to keep the vacuum as low as possible when accelerating. Cars in Australia did not come with cloth seats until the 1980s. We fitted seat covers for comfort. Head restraints became mandatory under Australian Design Rules in 1972.

@johnrroberts7900

Жыл бұрын

1970s for cloth seats' first appearance in Oz-built cars. Optional at first, then standard on cars like Cortina XLE and Ghia, Commodore SL/SLE, etc.

My Old Man had one of these. He was a mechanic of some skill. After he'd ironed out the kinks and bugs he had it as a daily driver for a very long time. As I recall it went rather well too. Thanks for the trip down memory lane mate.

That tape player running not quite at right speed brought back some memories

Fascinating video, as a Brit it's so cool to see this stuff we never got that was actually more desirable than what we did get. You're right about BL though, the decision making processes must have happened mostly in pubs and bars.

@johnknott6539

4 жыл бұрын

Dude you forgot we sure did have that in UK. Slightly different styling and name of course. Slightly different trunk lid.

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

We didn't get the 1800 in this form. We did get the engine.

@johnknott6539

4 жыл бұрын

HubNut Look up Austin 3.0 liter- not the 1800

@GSimpsonOAM

4 жыл бұрын

@@johnknott6539 The 3litre was RWD so a different beast

@johnknott6539

4 жыл бұрын

g simpson I guess it was mix n match body and mechanicals! Thanks for explaining- we all learn all the time.

So glad for you Ian, driving that dream Kimberley. I remember when these came out. You saw a few on the road at the time then a few years later they kind of became a memory, although I still remember the odd one into the 80's. I think the biggest problem with these was the competition from Escorts. Cortinas and Toranas which us Aussies seemed to gravitate towards due to them being a bit more simpler and more conventional. Plus, the Kimberley never had the appeal to the youth market of the aforementioned three. Also, by 1970 V8's were really becoming "the thing". If a Kimberley had won Bathurst I'm sure it would've been a different story but us Aussies are a weird lot. A lovely example though and a great road test to add to the collection.

I had a 1971 Kimberley. Twin carbs 115hp so it went pretty well. Very smooth and revvy engine

Never pressed the like button so fast 😊 I think the one in UK that I saw was beige possabley a mk1 Red and grey looks fantastic colour combo. I saw it at Thirlstain castle in the borders approx 20 miles where I live 😀

@steved3702

4 жыл бұрын

There were a few red interiors. Not sure if it was an exclusively Aussie thing. Ones I recall are my mother's 1965 HA Vauxhall Viva (assembled by Holden in Dandenong, I believe) which paired a red interior with beige paint and the early Holden Commodores (VB, VC from 1978) with red on red available in luxury SL/E specification.

Dammit Ian, it's been published right at the start of my working day, now I have to find a quiet corner and a set of headphones or wait in anxiety till I get home. 😂

Love how it looks so conservative and grey outside and then an absolute riot inside, like a bank manager in stockings and suspenders...

I remember these in New Zealand soon after arriving from the UK in the early 70's. We all thought they were so lame and an embarrassment but looking at it now I think it looks really good all things considered. I remember the Reggi Perrin effect on those old Vinyl seats 😂. Enjoy Australia 👍

Love your work. My Grandad had this and a wolesley. Brilliant memories. Thanks.

Morning from uk-gonna be late getting son to school!

Mummy, where did Kimberley come from? Well, a LandCrab and a Viva HC loved each other very much...

@Mancozeb100

4 жыл бұрын

HistoryNeedsYou ... More FD VIctor/VX4/90 rather than Viva ?? !

@Mancozeb100

4 жыл бұрын

Skodaman2 😆 nahhh - Humber Sceptre !!!

Got my licence on a MkII Kimberley, then went on to own another. Automatics, with a chain drive from the engine to the gearbox. My car had a stretched chain, which used to slip on hard acceleration or hills. I replaced the chain, which fixed it mostly. They were prone to overheating as everyone has said. The welsh plugs would corrode as well, requiring removal of the engine to fix. Clearances were very tight in the engine bay. The car rode really well, and went round corners like on rails. The back doors would open to almost 90 degrees, so you could fit all sorts of stuff in the back seat. The boot was also huge. The twin SU model would have been interesting to tune I imagine. My next car was a Triumph Dolomite Sprint with twin SU. But that's another story.

Wonderful old dear. Thanks for this Ian.

For the horn, you press the padded section either side of the "L" badge on the steering wheel.

@neilforbes416

4 жыл бұрын

A lot of cars from the early 1960s onwards have the horn sounded by pressing a semi-circular bar on the steering wheel(Holden FE to EH models have such a feature) or buttons on the radial spokes either side of the steering wheel axle, or, like this car, those pads either side of the "L" trademark disc. Some cars even have the horn on the indicator stem.

@geoffeastwood5352

4 жыл бұрын

Was the horn on the end of the indicator stalk as per Minis and 1500s ?

@neilforbes416

4 жыл бұрын

@@geoffeastwood5352 I don't think this model had it, but no harm in trying!

I was fearing you would get a copyright strike on the wobbly Status Quo! What a car! BMC/BL could come up with great cars and designs but seemed really good at just messing it up in a very British way, they found a way to mismanage every opportunity.

Never mind the red 6 marina, 4 litre simca chrysler centura and 6 cylinder cortina. Surely the most outstanding local development was the HB vauxhall viva, lengthened and strengthened to accomodate a 3.3 litre engine capable of production racing with 6 litre v8 fords. Sold here as LC and LJ Torana.

Watching this in Kimberley BC Canada; I never heard of an Austin Kimberley before!

@johnd8892

3 жыл бұрын

Even in Australia these are nearly forgotten even by those around when launched let alone those born in the last 40 years or so. So great that hubnut was able to drive a rare near mint condition survivor.

When the only genuine leather is the key fob.

@edgarbeat275

4 жыл бұрын

Chortle

@barryphillips7327

4 жыл бұрын

Sheepskins would necessary especially in Australia, wearing shorts getting into a car with vinyl seats on a HOT day, not good, burn your legs.

@edgarbeat275

4 жыл бұрын

It was bad in summer in Scotland jumping into m6 dad's mini van as a kid wearing shorts hahaha still own the van today.

@barryphillips7327

4 жыл бұрын

@hobo john yes my father had a Holden ute with tan vinyl bench seat he had a sheepskin to sit on.

@woopimagpie

4 жыл бұрын

@@barryphillips7327 Oh hell yes, I still have scars from the 3rd degree burns I acquired in my Dad's Torana. Lol. Ye gods it was insanity, but we didn't know any better back then. It took the hospital casualty Doctors to teach us those lessons

Back in your element I see! Loved your enthusiasm on this one. Did that vinyl interior smell like every 70s car you've ever been in? That smell coupled with the transmission whine would've taken me right back.

Simply love your genuine and passionate reviews of unique old cars! Hope you're having a great time during your stay down under!

Another absolute gem unearthed. Too job👍🏼

What a lovely old motor such a shame we never had them in the UK.

When they first came out in NZ,I was working after school in a panel beaters (Te Kuiti) and I was given the task of riding in the boots of new tasmans and Kimberleys to see where dust was getting in as the boss drove along dirt roads😂 . Around 1980 my Dad found a one owner Kimberley in near new conditon for $300. He used it for quite a while as a work hack but the only thing that ever went wrong was when the local dealers stuffed up the cables for the gear shift and it got really hard to change gear. he traded it for a new Talbot alpine. 😎I dont think it was a matter of Customers being scared of the kimberley but the concerted campaign by GM and Ford spreading unfounded rumors about parts not being available etc because of the strikes in the UK. Ironic considering that GM is having a really crap time of it now with new vehicle sales collapsing and no one even buying used Commodores.

@graemew7001

4 жыл бұрын

Must be an apprentice initiation task, I had to do that in a Ford Orion to "apparently" tell where a knock was coming from.....looking back I was such an idiot 🤣

@graemew7001

4 жыл бұрын

@Lassi Kinnunen 😂 I hadn't thought of it like that, I did get paid for it as an apprentice so in that way I've nothing to grumble about, definitely easier than planting trees too.

@bletheringfool

4 жыл бұрын

I put a fully grown adult in the boot of my Opel Kadette (Vauxhall Belmont) many years ago to test out the capacity. Drove to a gig a couple of miles away. He didn't get paid but could confirm there was plenty of room.

@graemew7001

4 жыл бұрын

@Paolo G The same guys sent me to the motor factors for glass rivets for a 2CV.....didn't catch me that time though cos I buggered off into town for an hour, came back to "where have you been?" and got a round of applause when I told them they hadn't got and where I'd been 🤣

@graemew7001

4 жыл бұрын

@@bletheringfool I remember the Belmont, that thing had passport contol halfway into the boot 🤣

Wow the old girl still rolling around the world mother had a beige coloured Austin Kimberley back the early 80s had alot of leg room front and back well still all elbows and keens i was surely enjoyed the long tips solid car indeed thank you for sharing a well kept in mint condition antique.

Wow! That interior is fabulous. Great video, thanks Ian.

Not only should this have come to Great Britain, but there should have been a proper estate car version (Austin Kimberley Countryman) to replace the A60 Countryman and to compete with the Volvo 145. As you say, so many missed opportunities.

Having owned a '71 Morris 1800 landcrab in the early 80's I never understood why there was a negative impact to all these vehicle dervitives.

Always wanted a Kimberly, got the right name. The odd gauge glass is to prevent reflections and make it easier to see the gauge in bright light. Used to see that in shop display windows back in the day.

Wow well worth the waiting for thanks a lot. Mark Kimberley O. B. E.

Love it ...😉 the back end is very morris marina dont you think ?

Hope you get to see the V8 Leyland P76,if you think the Kimberley was fascinating.

@HubNut

4 жыл бұрын

I did. ;-)

@owenjwilson5202

4 жыл бұрын

chris day was gonna ask the same Question!...The P76 is a must see for me!

@AUmarcus

4 жыл бұрын

@@owenjwilson5202 Or P38 as they were known by in Oz....only half a car.

This might be my favorite of all your videos. Love the car and your enthusiasm is delightful.

Love the flush door handles! Imagine if they had these and other styling cues from this car on the Maxi.

The land crab and the Kimberley were both great cars. Drove many miles in both. The "pointy" glass over the guages was to prevent glare, and the engine was much quicker than the standard Holden and Ford rubbish. The car did need a bigger radiator though...

@stephenscholes4758

4 жыл бұрын

Not sure you want a "quick engine" if you are travelling long distances or towing....rather a slow-revving, big capacity, big torque 6

@chrisantoniou4366

4 жыл бұрын

@@stephenscholes4758 Quick in the sense of quick to respond to the throttle and willing to rev out. Long distance travel was no problem for the car and it was very quiet and smooth in its operation. As for towing, I wouldn't want to tow anything substantial with it. With regard to the rest of the car, visibility, roominess, handling, roadholdng and ride were exceptional.

I’ve owned a number of landcrabs, a couple of Tasmans and a Kimberley. I still own a manual ’69 crab, off the road ATM. I’ve vague plans to convert it to electric - one day. Yes, I’ve a screw or two, loose. OK, let’s separate the issues with the ‘X6 into performance and durability, for clarity. First, performance. GEARING The manual X6 (and landcrab for that matter) literally screams for a 5th gear. It is possible to fit a taller final drive using gears from a mark III landcrab, I understand, but that would dull acceleration. Unfortunately, the taller geared diff from the automatic doesn’t fit - the crown is larger. REAR SUSPENSION The rear suspension really isn’t up to the job, especially with the larger boot on the ‘X6. With a fully laden car, it tends to bottom and become floaty, not to mention headlights pointed skyward. Apparently, the X6 rear hydrolastic carriers were designed to take a larger unit, but the displacers fitted were the same type as the landcrab - the front ones fitted to ‘1100s. As a kludge, Leyland fitted triangular rubber ‘helpers’, but they don’t work that well and tend to disintegrate. It is possible to shoehorn an ’1800 front displacer; they did this for the London-Sydney rally. Perhaps the rear torsion-bar helpers fitted to the ‘1800 ute would have been a better bet. OVERHEATING/VAPOUR LOCK As per @alan m's post, the combination of Siamesed cylinders and inadequate cooling contributed to overheating. OMG, vapour lock. Some Leyland nong decided a heat exchanger between the inlet and exhaust manifolds would be a great idea to help improve cold weather starting. Yeah, good on ya. From experience, quality of life is much improved, esp on 40oC days, with this nonsense removed. Simply weld a plate in the aperture in the exhaust manifold where the heat exchanger sits. It also solves the stupid heat exchanger sealing problem. Secondly, durability issues. ENGINE MOUNTS If the ‘1800 wasn’t bad enough, the 'X6 loves to tear these out, especially the rears. Apart from the extra weight of the engine, the main issue is torque. Under acceleration, especially in first, the rear of the engine wants to dive into the ground. The two rear, totally inadequate, mounts have to cope with this torque in addition to engine weight. There’s absolutely no mechanical limiting mechanism whatsoever in the engine mounts, so it’s not surprising they only enjoy a short life. A work-around is to modify (cut/weld) and shoehorn in the larger mounts available for the landcrab. From experience, if ignored too long, the underside of the carby will gnaw on the displacer pipe routed under it and you’ll eventually lose fluid… This thoughtful design feature lets you know a rear mount has failed. ENGINE STEADY The engine steady arm is rubbish. There’s a large rubber bushy thing on engine end of the engine steady arm to isolate vibration, but with a relatively small bolt/sleeve thru the middle to secure it to the engine via a bracket. You guessed it, the highly concentrated stress on the rubber, as a result of small diameter sleeve rips, it to bits. The resultant thrashing about then takes out the small bush on the opposite end of the arm that anchors it to the firewall. If you don’t get onto it right away it’ll rip the bracket off the firewall! As a bonus it’ll help speed destruction of all engine mounts! A cheap and effective fix is to modify the arm to take the urethane part of a skate board wheel from your brother’s box of busted skateboard bits. The ratio of the inner to outer diameters means it is not trashed so readily and there’s no vibration transmitted. GEARSHIFT CABLE HYDRAULIC LOCK The gearshift comes with a special patented lock-out feature to stop you inadvertently engaging first or third gears after starting the engine, especially on a cold winter’s morning. To override the lock-out simply apply a huge force to the lever, cursing under your breath, whilst waiting for the gear to slowly engage and hoping that new gearshift cable you’ve recently fitted doesn’t bust. It is even more effective when combined with that extra thick oil grade for the worn engine. One trick is to chose which gear you’d like to not have the lock-out feature apply - simply leave the car in that gear when you park it! In an attempt to remedy engine-oil-leaking out of ends of gearshift cable issue, Leyland geniuses attempted to stop oil entering the cables in the first place. This is all very well and good until oil seeps past their additional seal and floods the cable. You then get a hydraulic lock until the trapped oil is purged. Simply grind longitudinal slots along the plungers at the engine end of the gearshift contraption to allow the trapped oil a path to escape. To stop any leaks from the cables add industrial grade heat-shrink tubing, the stuff with the adhesive glue, to the cables. Cable ties on the outer of the tubing on the engine end of cable termination mitigate any leaks past quite effectively. SLIPPING CLUTCH This special learner driver assist feature stops them from stalling the engine. Due to the inherent design of the end-on, up itself, clutch, oil has a propensity to find its way between the crankshaft and concentric clutch output shaft and into the clutch, causing it to slip. If left long enough it’ll slip under the most gentle acceleration. It is possible to temporarily burn off the oil in desperation, by flooring it, but it’ll return quickly enough. It’s great the clutch can be changed in 1/2 hour, but it’s really a necessity! Leyland’s kludgy fix for the MKII was to drill three radial holes in the flywheel in the clutch centre cavity to let excessive oil escape. So effective - NOT. A worn engine makes matters worse; blow-by tends to help force oil into the clutch. A fix is to fix the seal between the crank and the clutch output shaft by actually adding one! There appears to be provision for a seal on the inner side of the output shaft but one never seems to have been fitted - perhaps it caused grief when engaging gears due to friction? A seal that works remarkably well is a length of appropriate diameter (100 thou from memory) red nylon line trimmer cord! It must be red, or was it yellow? A number turns is carefully wound inside the clutch output shaft, with the winding direction so as to encourage oil back into the engine when the clutch is free wheeling. The shaft is pressed onto the crank with a suitable car-jack placed between the mud-guard and the output shaft. The affair is initially a tight fit, so getting the flywheel back on can be “interesting”, but once bedded in, it is a low friction seal that is quite durable and very effective. IDLER GEAR The manual ‘1800 has an idler between the clutch output and the gearbox. it is placed on the conventional side of the clutch and rides on two very large needle roller bearings on either side of the gear. It never goes wrong. The equivalent idler on the X6 rides on a single shaft with a single roller-bearing adjacent the gear and a sleeve bearing on the end. Guess what happens!? At any sign of idler bearing unhappiness is time to change the bearing. If left too long the bearing will spit its rollers, the shaft will go wobbly and break the gearbox casting at the sleeve end! It is possible to replace the bearing in situ! It is pressed in and secured with two cir-clips. The outer one is easy. The one inside the ‘box - that’s a little more tricky! Simply make up a special remote control cir-clip expanding tool. Pokes it in thru the bearing and expand the inner cir-clip and remove it. It is important it doesn’t go free range inside the gearbox… To extract the bearing make up a bearing puller using a large bolt, and a couple of washers, one with slot cut in it with some fencing wire welded on to it. Guide it in thru the special slot, above the bearing, Leyland have thoughtfully provided for this purpose and slot it into the bolt. Tighten bolt and pull out bearing. Press in new bearing using spacer and car-jack. Easy peasy. No engine out. No gearbox disassembly. No fuss. Beer. SILENT-BLOC” BUSHINGS I understand some of the early MKIs (or was is all MK I’s) use the “silent-bloc” nylon bushings as per MKII landcrabs, rather than proper ball-bearing races used in MKI landcrabs and the later MKII X6s. Silent-blocs are rubbish. Replace withe ball-bearing races. David Melbourne, Australia

@bernardjharmsen304

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent info! The car is all a bit too mechanically fussy for reliable Aus long distance highway cruising

@johnd8892

4 жыл бұрын

As a kid reading reviews and specs when they came out they seemed very exotic and desirable. Thanks for the realities of ownership of a Kimberley or Tasman. Can see why they failed in sales and close to none are left. Reading this even feels like going through numerous frustrating sessions of dirty work trying to keep one going.

@alanm2809

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you persevered when I gave up. Great information!

@alanm2809

4 жыл бұрын

David, I wish I had your knowledge when I owned it, it would have resolved the things I couldn't solve at the time, Leyland left the engineering fixes I guess to their buyers, I still loved that car though......I sold the vehicle when the gear stick broke at the base on a hill start in peak hour traffic, due to probably the force to clear the cable lock over time. Even though it s a cheap fix (7 dollars for a new gear lever) I decided I didn't need the hassle anymore.

@bryanwheeler1608

2 жыл бұрын

David, I always felt the engine is the wrong way round, with the exhaust close up to the firewall, unlike modern East-West engines. That's why mine caught fire----I was running too rich a mixture to keep the thing running, so the manifold got very hot, plus being a Leyland, it leaked oil prodigiously, saturating the noise deadening stuff on the firewall--so "whoomp!" up she went. I should have been kinder to the poor old thing, but I was trying to do up a V8 P76 at the time, so was "Leylanded out to the max!"

Great car reviews you definitely deserve a TV show 👍

What a brilliant review! Outstanding quality, very informative and quite fascinating. Thanks and well done!

What a shame Leyland never sold this car in the UK. I reckon they would have sold like hot cakes as it’s quite a good looking well proportioned car compared to the usual oddities made for the UK at the time.

@Reddsoldier

4 жыл бұрын

Good business decisions were not Leyland's thing.

@BungleBare

4 жыл бұрын

So many overseas variants of BL products could have been brought to the UK, to give three box and hatch variants of existing cars with very little outlay. After all, the design work had been done, and in most cases in right hand drive too. Plus the mechanicals were broadly similar, and so wouldn’t have spooked the mechanics at the dealers. For cash-strapped BL, it would have been a cheap way of having the novelty of new models in UK showrooms, and potentially increased their market share. Plus the overseas plants might have been able to fill in gaps in production caused by strikes, weakening the unions’ hands to some extent. It’s just baffling why they went through the ‘70s like they did. Not a faultless plan; it would have irked some in the company who had a “not invented here” mentality, and they were variations on existing models, rather than a new model. It would gave brought sales and good press though, in an easy and cheap way. It would have at least bought them some time, and brought in valuable revenue that could have been spent on developing new models. For those who look back and laugh at crazy old BL, remember it was nationalised, and propped up with taxpayers’ money. Everyone in the UK literally had a stake in it. So, so frustrating that BL squandered what it had.

@grahamariss2111

4 жыл бұрын

@@BungleBare Agreed, many excellent ideas, such as this Kimberley, and why no 5th gear! However we should not under estimate the challenges BL in making changes with the Unions, every new model and or rationalisation brought on a strike with new demands so many models that would have seemed cheap to bring in, Nomad, Kimberley, Innocenti Mini, etc were not economic to introduce.because of the costs of buying off the Unions.

@BungleBare

4 жыл бұрын

Graham Ariss Not a magic bullet by any means, but bringing in already developed designs from BL’s outposts would have meant already developed models could have been slotted in to existing production facilities, keeping up volume and, therefore, the workforce. A medium-term measure at best, but with careful negotiation it could have been sold to unions as a way of securing jobs while new models were developed. As it was, by the ‘80s BL badly needed to contract, and started shedding model lines and even marques like Morris and Triumph completely. It could have been the start of a solution to bring in cars like the Kimberley/Tasman at the turn of the ‘70s, and it seemed a complete waste of resources to do otherwise. BL’s outposts brought out some fine products, but a “not invented here” syndrome seemed to be prevalent within the mothership in the UK. But yes, I take your point. The unions probably would have resisted, and flexed their muscles over it. Why? Maybe just because they could? I wasn’t there at the time, but from what I’ve learned there seemed to be an adversarial “the answer’s no, but what’s your question?” attitude from the unions towards any changes within BL. Nuances of the situation have no doubt been lost over time, however, and this is no doubt a vast oversimplification of the situation. Like I said, I wasn’t there. If anyone who was wants to chip in, I’ll bow to their superior knowledge.

4 жыл бұрын

@@Reddsoldier The made the Mini didn't they? I'd say that was a pretty good decision.

I used to have one of those. Unfortunately it was in far too bad condition to save. However it was a huge amount of fun. There is no other vehicle that can travel across farm tracks as well as a kimberley. On general rutted diirt roads it was as smooth as a Range Rover however it could be pushed way harder. My one was automatic, unfortunately the gear box was producing swarf. However it could be made to go for a while by cleaning out the filter and valve block. The suspension was incredibly strong and the body was very ridgid. Handling on sealed roads was very good even by the standards of the days 20 years later. It had a bit of understeer but still far better than a 90s Camry. My Kimberly had a severe lack of low end torque that was perhaps due to a lack of compression. However once up speed the performance was very good. I think the Kimberly was unfairly underrated. For Australian conditions of the 70s with their very poor and sometimes non existant roads the Kimberly would have been excellent. After the Kimberly I tried an HQ Holden. The Holden just did not come anywhere near the Kimberly for handling and performance. However it had lots of torque and was easier to repair when it broke.

@niceviewoverthere4463

4 жыл бұрын

Ah - the HQ. Didn't come anywhere near a supertanker for handling and performance I'm sure you would agree. But they would not break down and thus never give us an excuse to get rid of the sodding things.

@andrewthompsonuk1

4 жыл бұрын

@@niceviewoverthere4463 very true, I was hoping that Hubnut would get to test one. Maybe there are none (basic Belmont or Kingwoods) left. The HQ was a way of life for many in the 70s for both New Zealanders and Australians. I couldn't make up my mind if I loved or hated it. At least petrol was cheap when I had my HQ as it never bettered 20 mpg. I will never forget the 3 on the tree that would jam if you missed a gear change followed by the steering that was so heavy that parking was a nightmare.

@markrossow6303

2 жыл бұрын

with the automatic Slushbox, this could have sold in the U.S. But (2) radiator fans please -- suprised to see (1) when hood popped

@andrewthompsonuk1

2 жыл бұрын

@@markrossow6303 overheating was not an issue with those fans. I think Americans would not have liked the lack of low down torque. I looked at the video again and I think the automatic was far more refined than the manual.

Well presented and enjoyable. Thanks for this.

I’m so happy to see you review this. I’ve been waiting a long time. I hope you feel it did the Land Crab proud.