BMC 1100!

[StaffsMoggie]

Is it wrong to say on here how much I'd like an 1100/1300? Never had one, but have always had Minis and Minors, 1100s still look great today and drive superb, might be time to see if there is one about for sale...

[ASL642]

My first car was an Austin 1300. Great cars. Nice example on Ebay at the moment - only trouble is it's in Perth, Scotland - bit far!

[bmcecosse]

Great cars in their day - very advanced suspension and marvelous cornering. Unfortunately the rust proofing was dreadful - and so RUST is the very major hazard with these cars. I'm not sure hydrolastic parts are too common now either.......

[mike.perry]

Th ultimate must be the Vanden Plas 1300, all that lovely varnished wood and the picnic tables. The radiator grill looks as though it actually belongs on the car, unlike that monstrosity grafted on the front of the Allegro VdP

[bmcecosse]

No -sorry - it's just a small car pretending to be something it is not. However - they were often much better looked after than the lesser models - and so there are more of them about now ! The MG 1300 must be the one to go for.......although the Riley was v nice too......

[linearaudio]

I bought an Austin 1100 for my son as his first car, and he loves the quirkyness and amazingly "flat" cornering- just like a bigger Mini! It still surprises the Saxo/Corsa brigade, only thing about the suspension is it is very underdamped! Looking at reviews, it would appear that this was a tendency of hydrolastic opposed to the later hydragas system, and is certainly worsened by the in-built fluid damper valves having 40 odd years of debris running past them!
In dreamland, I would love to try retro-fitting late Metro hydragas units, or separate conventional dampers, but neither is easy, so we live with it!
The driving comparison between the Moggy and the 1100 is utterly astounding- in 1962 the 1100 must have been a real sensation! But the Moggy will outlast the horrible hidden bulkheads, trumpets and non-draining ventilation drains of the 60's throwaway design
Buy one and have some fun (in-between welding the holes up), they still don't command much money, and a VP is a very luxurious car indeed whatever you think of the stapled on grill!

[les]

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Watch for rear subframe and front leg rot on these cars. My personal choice would be an Austin or Riley Kestrel.

There is nothing to be scared of about the suspension.

I can tell you that running a Hydragas (1100 was 'lastic) car, it is more comfortable and like a bouncy castle over shallow bumps, but the Minor is a much more sturdy car. Both have - and will - last for years given the attention we know they all need.

[StaffsMoggie]

I would have any of them but the Vanden Plas would certainly be the favourite! BMC must have recognised that there was a market for a small luxurious car. Then again there is something honestly simple about the Austins And Morrises.

They were certainly well known for rust! Such a shame they were poorly protected and repair panels are much scarcer than those for Minors..