Austin Princess

Overview

Introduced in March 1975 as the "18-22 Series" — covering Austin, Morris, and Wolseley variants on a single platform — the car was renamed "Princess" in 1976 when the Morris and Wolseley variants were dropped and the three-marque badge strategy simplified. Designed by Harris Mann, the Princess's bold wedge profile was striking for its era, featuring a steeply raked windscreen, sharply creased flanks, and a large liftback-style rear that incorporated a lift-out rear window rather than a conventional hinged tailgate — a compromise that limited load access and frustrated many owners.

Mechanically, the Princess used Hydragas suspension throughout and a range of E-series and O-series engines mounted transversely to drive the front wheels — an unusual configuration for a car of this size in 1975. The Hydragas system gave the Princess an exceptionally smooth and self-levelling ride, superior to many contemporary rivals.

In Azerbaijan, the Princess is a genuine rarity — a vehicle that barely registers in local automotive consciousness. For the discerning collector, it represents an unusual and visually distinctive piece of 1970s British design history, best appreciated as a show piece and occasional driver rather than a practical daily car. Parts sourcing requires specialist UK contacts and considerable patience.

Austin Princess in Pictures

Gallery images sourced from Wikimedia Commons; tiles fall back gracefully if images cannot load.

Front View

Side Profile

Rear View

Passenger Cabin

Liftback Area

18-22 Series Badge

Key Specifications

• Engine range: 1,695cc and 1,993cc E-series; 2,227cc six-cylinder O-series in top variants.
• Peak power: 107 hp (2.2 HLS variant with twin-carburettor O-series six).
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive with four-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox.
• Suspension: Hydragas interconnected fluid-gas units at all four corners; self-levelling under load.
• Body: Five-door liftback; rear window lifts out rather than a conventional tailgate — a practical limitation.
• Length: 4,521 mm — a genuinely large car for 1975.
• Styling: Harris Mann wedge design with steeply raked windscreen and angular crease lines.
• Fuel consumption: Approximately 9–12 L/100km depending on engine and load.
• Production total: Approximately 224,000 across all 18-22 Series and Princess variants.

Variant Comparison

What Makes It Stand Out

• Wedge design legacy: Harris Mann's sharp-edged wedge styling was genuinely avant-garde for 1975 and remains one of the most visually arresting shapes of 1970s British car design.
• Hydragas in executive class: Offering Alex Moulton's sophisticated suspension in a large executive car was ambitious; the ride quality was praised even by critics of the car's other attributes.
• FWD at this size: Front-wheel drive on a car of this length and weight was a significant engineering achievement for 1975, when most executive cars remained resolutely rear-wheel drive.
• Unusual rarity: With approximately 224,000 built and very few surviving in good condition, a well-preserved Princess is genuinely uncommon even in the UK.
• Ambassador evolution: The Princess's chassis and body were later refined into the Austin Ambassador (1982–1984), which added a proper tailgate — making the Princess the foundation of a brief but complete executive car programme.

Maintenance & Repairability in Azerbaijan

The Princess is among the most challenging classic British cars to maintain in Azerbaijan. Its E-series and O-series engines are shared with the Maxi, so some mechanical knowledge transfers — but the larger body, more complex Hydragas calibration for a heavier car, and the limited survival of good original examples makes parts sourcing a specialist undertaking.

• Engine parts: E-series and O-series components available through UK BL specialists; the six-cylinder O-series requires particular care to source gaskets and seals.
• Hydragas (large car): Calibrating Hydragas on a 1,200+ kg car requires specialist equipment and careful attention to ride height under different load conditions.
• Rear window seal: The lift-out rear glass is a known weak point; deteriorated seals allow water ingress into the cabin. Replacement seals must be sourced from UK heritage suppliers.
• Rust pattern: Front inner wings, sills, boot floor, and floor pan are all vulnerable; structural corrosion is common on UK survivors and any imported example should be inspected comprehensively.
• Princess Owners Club (UK): The single most important resource for technical information and parts contacts; membership strongly advised before purchase.

Austin Princess vs. Competitors

Owner Cost-of-Ownership Calculator (Azerbaijan)

Estimate annual running costs for the Austin Princess in the Baku context.

• Estimated annual fuel use: 1200 litres
• Estimated annual fuel cost: $1020
• Total annual ownership estimate: $3520
• Average monthly ownership estimate: $293

Buying Checklist

• Rear window seal: Test the lift-out glass for leaks; water ingress is the single most common cause of interior deterioration in surviving Princesses.
• Hydragas ride height: The car should sit level and at the correct height; a settled-down rear indicates Hydragas needs replenishment.
• Floor and sill condition: Probe carefully for filler and rust in the floorpan, sills, and front inner wings — these are the most critical structural areas.
• O-series six-cylinder: The 2.2-litre six is prone to head gasket failure; check for coolant contamination in the oil and vice versa.
• Import documentation: As always with UK imports, verify V5C or equivalent origin document, confirm customs clearance, and check for outstanding finance.
• Originality: Original, unmodified Princesses in correct colours and specification are significantly more desirable and collectible than modified examples.

Austin Princess FAQ

Why was it sold as the "18-22 Series" first?

British Leyland launched the car simultaneously under three marques — Austin 18-22, Morris 18-22, and Wolseley 18-22 — in 1975. The strategy of marketing the same car under multiple badges was a BL practice of the era. When the Morris and Wolseley variants were discontinued in 1975/76, the surviving Austin variant was renamed "Princess" to give it clearer individual identity.

Does the Princess have a proper tailgate?

No — this is one of its most-discussed limitations. The rear glass lifts out and the lower rear panel folds down, but there is no conventional hinged tailgate. This makes loading bulky items awkward. The Austin Ambassador (1982) corrected this by fitting a proper tailgate to the same basic body structure.

Is the Princess genuinely rare in good condition?

Yes. With only approximately 224,000 built and a production span of seven years ending in 1982, survivors in original unrestored condition are uncommon even in the United Kingdom. Many were scrapped due to corrosion problems, making well-preserved examples increasingly sought after by enthusiasts of 1970s British cars.

Should You Buy an Austin Princess?

The Austin Princess is a rewarding purchase for an enthusiast with a genuine passion for 1970s British automotive design and the patience for specialist ownership. Its Harris Mann wedge styling is genuinely striking, the Hydragas suspension delivers a ride quality that surprises modern drivers, and its rarity makes it a genuine talking point at any classic car event.

For buyers in Baku, the Princess demands more commitment than almost any other classic British car featured on BakuWheels. Parts are scarce, the rear window sealing issue requires vigilance, and finding a rust-free example is the primary challenge. For the right collector, however, a good Princess is a unique and genuinely distinguished piece of British automotive history.