Really, I can’t think of a car less suited to the brutal deserts of Dune. The 1800 was only FWD, didn’t have that much ground clearance, and it’s sure as hell not getting anywhere in the sand on those tires! Plus, that rhythmic pulsing of its either 1.8-liter straight four or 2.2-liter straight six is sure to attract a massive sandworm, and who needs that kind of hassle? So why then did British Leyland’s marketing people go through the considerable time and expense to load an 1800 HL on a Guild Heighliner and make the trip? I’m not sure, but I did find this clip of a British Leyland executive, swimming in his tank of Lucas Magic Smoke, talking to their ad agency:
Huh. I’m not sure if that clears anything up, but it’s good information to have. (okay maybe I added the sandworm) It actually had an impressive almost french looking ground clearance, judged by modern standards at least. …for your safety will not continue without interruption long enough to attract any sandworms. Also, you could get the Austin with an inline six ? Cool. Good old BL. Never change. It was nicknamed ‘The Ambastador’ because it was a massive pain in the arse. It either wouldn’t start, or kept dieselling for 5 minutes after you switched it off, depending on how you twiddled the ignition advance and what swear words you used whilst doing so. I kinda miss the old brute.
