807 Austin Montego HL (1987), Austin Montego 2.0 HL (1984-9…

Austin Montego 2.0 HL (1984-95) Engine 1994cc S4 OC Production 546,000+ Registration Number E 225 CMV AUSTIN SET /photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623759808208 The Montego was BLs candidate for the volume sales market, pitched against the Ford Cortina and Vauxhall Cavalier. The Montego was designed on conventional lines with steel spring suspension front and rear. The design and developement was overly long primaraly due delays caused by industrial turmoil and to delays following the Ryder Report which had recommended costly redevelopement of both Cowley and Longbridge, with Longbridge about to come back on stream first it was decided that production of the Metro start before the new Momtego and Maestro. The result being that the combined design which had begun in 1975 did not come to fruition until 1984, by which time the design that had a number of designers over its time (Ian Beech, David Bache, Roger Tucker and finally Roy Axe) In fact when Roy Axe came on board in 1982 he ordered that the prototypes be scrapped abd design restarted. When launched in 1984 the Montego was only available, replacing the Morris Ital however the Ital Estate was produced alongside the Montego Saloon until late 1984 when the Montego Estate was revealed at the British International Motorshow, NEC, Birmingham. Available with 1.3 BMC A series and 1.6, 2.0 and a lust 2.0ltr Turbo Diesel. A roomy car and adequate performance from the larger engined cars. Following a minor facelift in 1989 which introduced the seven seater Countryman and the Perkins Diesel engine to the line up the Austin name was dropped in favour of Rover. Though the car never wore the Rover name or badge, using instead a stylised badge resembling that of Rover. Thanks for 19 million views Shot at the VSCC Hillclimb, Prescot, Gloucestershire 03:08:2013 Ref 95a-807