18-22 Series, Princess
& Ambassador
Evolution
1970 February
BMC agree to commence the Land Crab ADO17 replacement
1970 - 1975
ADO71, Diablo project name assigned
Austin-Morris predominantly to undertake development
Harris Mann to create the overall look
Charles Griffin to oversee chassis development
BMC Board decision - saloon, not a hatchback
Front wheel drive
Hydragas suspension
Engines - 1.8 B-series, 2.2 E6 six cylinder
Gearbox - 4 speed manual, 3 speed automatic
PAS optional, standard with 2.2 engine
1975 March
18-22 Series range launched;
Austin & Morris 1800
Austin & Morris 1800 HL
Austin & Morris 2200 HL
Wolseley 2200
1975 September
BLMC rebranded as British Leyland
Austin, Morris and Wolseley names dropped
18-22 Series range renamed as the ‘Leyland Princess’
1.8 models had 4x headlamps
2.2 models had trapezoidal headlamps
1800
1800 HL
2200 HL
2200 HLS
1975 - 1977
Numerous unreliability issues encountered initially
Bad workmanship and union strikes problematic
1978 March
Princess Special Six 2200 Automatic introduced
Limited to a 1200 production run
​
1978 July
Princess 2 introduced
1.7 and 2.0 new O-series engines
1.8 B engine discontinued
E6 2.2 engine continued
1700 L
1700 & 2000 HL
2200 HL & HLS
1979 January
Models refresh
1700 L
1700 & 2000 HL
2200 HLS only (2200 HL trim dropped)
​
1979 May
Models refresh
1700 L
1700 & 2000 HL
1700 & 2000 HLS (new trim option introduced)
2200 HLS
1981
Princess 2 refresh makeover
BL stopped marketing the Princess range
1982 March
Austin Ambassador introduced replacing the Leyland Princess
Hatchback the major design change
E6 2.2 engine discontinued
Lower bonnet line as no need now to clear the tall E6 engine
O-series 1.7 and 2.0 engines only
RHD models only produced
1.7 L
1.7 & 2.0 HL
2.0 HLS & VDP
​
1983 November
Ambassador discontinued – to make way for the new Montego
43,427 were sold during its two-year production run