Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: BazaJT on 11 August 2019, 18:19:44

Title: Quite a rarity now
Post by: BazaJT on 11 August 2019, 18:19:44
A family not far from me has acquired a "new" car or had visitors they're quite a rarity these days,it's a Y reg Austin Ambassador.As it was reversed onto the drive I couldn't see any badging to be able to tell what engine or spec it is,but it's certainly in apparently excellent condition.I had a 2L HLS version back in the '80's and despite the companys well known build quality issues it was really a very good car[sadly mine was written off after being hit by a Transit van driven by a drunk driver]it was very comfortable and like the Princess and the "Landcrab" before that it had absolutely acres of interior space although it could really have done with having a 5 speed gearbox.
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: Viral_Jim on 11 August 2019, 20:07:26
I might be so bold as to venture that it's rare for a reason. It's hideous!  ;D
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: dave the builder on 11 August 2019, 20:16:54
British Leyland
most probably rusted away before they got to the end of the production line  :P
i'm not a fan of the "styling" either
but someone must have loved that one for it to still be around  :-\

Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: BazaJT on 12 August 2019, 08:05:11
Granted the Ambassador was not one of the all time classic designs I personally didn't find it too bad.Given the constraints of the time[lack of investment in the company etc]a brand new design was out of the question so the design parameters were more or less set by the Princess which preceded it.
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: pscocoa on 12 August 2019, 16:20:36
I had a May 1982 HL as a company car from new and it was a good car - replaced by a Rover 2300s in Aug 1983 after 20000 miles or so. Bags of room for family and dog.
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 12 August 2019, 17:46:03
I was 'gifted' an X reg Princess by my FIL many years ago.......displacers were f*ucked and it sagged on it's haunches. Didn't cost much to put right though.

My car came with the 'ultra modern' 1700 OHC lump as opposed to the arthritic 1800 B series lump that was designed by Moses and used in the MGB and woeful Marina. :)
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 12 August 2019, 18:26:30
I was 'gifted' an X reg Princess by my FIL many years ago.......displacers were f*ucked and it sagged on it's haunches. Didn't cost much to put right though.

My car came with the 'ultra modern' 1700 OHC lump as opposed to the arthritic 1800 B series lump that was designed by Moses and used in the MGB and wonderful Marina. :)

FTFY M'Lud!  :y
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 August 2019, 19:12:02
My car came with the 'ultra modern' 1700 OHC lump as opposed to the arthritic 1800 B series lump that was designed by Moses and used in the MGB and woeful Marina. :)

My shItal had the 1700 engine in it. It was quite a nice lump, IMHO. Smooth, reasonably powerful and it didn't give me a lot of trouble other than an oil leak round the back of the head somewhere that used to drip onto the exhaust and throw up a smoke sceen behind me.  :-[

Easily the best part of the car*.

The B series belonged in a tractor.




*- this isn't saying much. ::)
Title: Re: Quite a rarity now
Post by: Nick W on 12 August 2019, 19:47:17


My shItal had the 1700 engine in it. It was quite a nice lump, IMHO. Smooth, reasonably powerful and it didn't give me a lot of trouble other than an oil leak round the back of the head somewhere that used to drip onto the exhaust and throw up a smoke screen behind me.  :-[

Easily the best part of the car*.

The B series belonged in a tractor.




The B series is probably best dragged behind the tractor to flatten the ground.