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1970 Morris 1800 S 'Landcrab’ ADO17 Rally Car
Highlights
- Rally preparation by Owen Turner costing £37,416
- Excellent winter project offered in good running condition
- Accompanied by a detailed history file showing the extent of the upgrades and restoration work
- The vendor includes a recent independent inspection report outlining its present condition
- High-end Brantz timing equipment included
- A fitting homage to rallying Landcrabs in period
The Appeal
A perhaps unlikely yet nevertheless highly successful rally car, BMC’s ADO17 excelled on long-distance endurance events in period. It could maintain an impressive average speed across uneven terrain thanks to its innovative ‘Hydrolastic’ suspension and an abnormally wide wheel track - earning it the ‘Landcrab’ nickname.
The ADO17 was developed by Mini mastermind Alec Issigonis; produced initially under the Austin moniker and later sold as a Morris and Wolseley under British Leyland. This one’s a Morris 1800 S from 1970.
In 2014, it was entrusted to Owen Turner Complete Rally Services for restoration and transformation into a historic competition car. £37,416.62 later, it emerged rally-ready with copious upgrades, all the necessary safety and navigational equipment installed and a period-correct BL Works livery. Several accompanying photographs depict the car taking part in the gruelling Sahara Challenge and we understand that the Morris has been a very capable rally entrant.
As a recent detailed inspection by Blue Diamond Riley Services Ltd shows, the car is now in need of some further work before it can return to the historic rally scene. It’s offered in running, driving order and will be a brilliant winter project for its next owner.
The History and Paperwork
- British Leyland Morris badged example supplied new RHD to the UK in 1970
- ‘Historic’ vehicle, qualifying from road tax and MOT testing - offered without MOT
- Rally preparation work carried out in 2014
- Blue Diamond inspection report present, detailing the vehicle’s current condition and giving a good idea of the work required to complete the project
- Quotes, invoices and worksheet from Owen Turner accompany the car
- Numerous invoices for parts from various specialists
- Older invoice for 2010 engine and gearbox rebuild from Top Garage, Herefordshire
- The engine was subsequently rebuilt again in preparation for long-distance rallies
- Engine cylinder head gas flow work dated January 2012
- Several archive photos of the car from the Sahara Challenge
- Numerous event stickers displayed in the offside rear quarter window and wing
The Condition
- Period-appropriate red paint scheme with black bonnet and wing tops to prevent glare
- The shell was restored and strengthened in 2014
- The Morris presents very well overall having earned a patina commensurate with endurance rally use
- Inspection report notes corrosion to driver side sill and chassis leg
- Some damage noted to sills on both sides
- Surface rust patch to passenger side floor
- Various signs of localised corrosion to around the car as shown in the photographs
- The underside is well-presented and quite clean
- The bodywork looks straight overall and the doors all continue to fit reasonably well
- Lightweight Minilite-style alloy wheels fitted
- The various chrome trims present well overall with light signs of age
- Debumpered
- Quick-release bonnet with clevis pins
- Equipped with spare-wheel roof mounts, PIAA auxiliary spot lamps and mudflaps
- Stripped-out interior
- OMP sports seats
- Full roll cage
- Retains door cards
- Ribbed rubber floor mats
- Minimal signs of wear to the interior, upholstery and controls
The Mechanics
- 1950cc transversely-mounted A Series engine
- Twin SU carburettors
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Mechanically rebuilt and rally-prepared as per the spec sheets in the photo gallery
- Easy-access blad-type fuses on the dashboard and labelled
- Electrical cut-off switch
- Brantz timing equipment
- Boot-mounted fuel filler with spill tank and ‘Le Mans’-style filler cap
- Competition long-range fuel tank
- Boot-mounted spare wheel
- Blue Diamond report notes oil leak via sump plug/timing chain cover, loose points, excessive play in nearside front wheel bearing and “generally poor” brakes
- Various advisory items are detailed in the report - most of which a thorough service would likely attend to
- The vendor notes that the clutch is slipping and has excessive travel
- We’re informed that the engine pulls very well under acceleration
- Besides the points noted above, the Morris is in driving order - a great starting point for the work to come
BEFORE YOU BUY
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