Was British Leyland as Bad as Everyone Made Out?

The reputation of British Leyland (BL) during the 1970s and 1980s was often pegged as one of the most notorious car manufacturers in automotive history. However, not every marque was as bad as everyone made out. Let's explore the reality of some of these iconic British cars and shed some light on their true reliability and design.

Triumph Spitfire: A Personal Anecdote

In 1973, I purchased a brand new Triumph Spitfire, and it quickly became clear that things were not as rosy as one might hope. One of the door handles broke, and to make matters worse, the replacement was unavailable. Upon taking the car to the dealer for a gearbox problem, the issue persisted; no matter how many times they fixed it, the problem returned. Eventually, I traded the car in for a TVR, which, in comparison, never went wrong.

Austin Allegro: An Exercise in Reliability

When I was a child in the 1970s, my father owned an Austin Allegro. He drove it for nearly 10 years, during which time it only broke down once. Even then, the issue was a simple points problem. It could be argued that our experience was an outlier, but it certainly proved to be more reliable than our neighbor's Vauxhall Viva estate car.

A Personal Fleet of 1970s Cars

Having owned several 1970s cars, including a MiniMaestro and two Montegos, I can attest to the fact that these vehicles did not give me any particular hassles. However, rust was a major issue with BL cars, particularly on the rear wheel arches.

Initial Family Cars: A Mix of Fortunes

One of the first family cars I remember was a 1966 Vauxhall Viva. It was known for stranding us multiple times and breaking two clutch cables and numerous other issues. So much so that my father, who generally held on to cars for a long time, sold it after just a year. In 1970, he purchased a Ford Escort 1100. Despite its electric issues and the need to fill numerous rust holes after just 5 years, he still chose to keep it. Eventually, this too rotted away and was replaced by a 1976 Austin Princess 1800.

Lessons and Legacy

All 1970s cars, be they built by Leyland or other manufacturers, were poorly made. Leyland had brilliant designs, but they often ruined them in some way. The Maxi’s impossible gearshift and the Stag’s inadequate cooling system, plagued by casting sand left in the block, reveal the flaws in their manufacturing. However, these cars have gained a significant following among enthusiasts. They are now transformed into reliable classics with updated systems, offering a glimpse into what might have been had they enjoyed better development budgets and worker motivation.

My Triumph Stag: A Modern Marvel

A 1974 Triumph Stag currently belongs to my collection. It is a 50-year-old car with V8 power steering, electric windows, and the capability to keep up and stop with modern traffic. It could have been a winning model had it been developed as intended. Today, owners make simple updates to the cooling system to ensure reliability and classic status. This legacy car stands as a testament to the potential within British Leyland designs.