The Landcrab from Australia – The Only Austin Kimberley in the UK

On the 6th of September Manor Park auctioned one of the rarest and most desirable members of the BMC/BLMC ‘Landcrab’ family. This is the only example of the Australian built X6 series Austin Kimberley and here are 20 facts about this remarkable machine:

1) Australian production of tthe Austin1800 commenced in 1965, but its engine was out of step in a market that demanded six cylinders. The X6 would rectify these issues with a larger engine, more luggage space, enhanced ground clearance and a longer wheelbase.

2) The X6 would be the Leyland’s first car with the 2.2-litre E6-Series engine.

3) BLMC also modified the Landcrab’s frontal treatment, stating “We’ve chosen not to follow fads and fashions. Mostly because what’s in fashion one year is out of fashion the next”.

4) The X6 went on sale in November 1970 with Leyland AAustralia announcing “At last the kind of car Australian motorists have been waiting for”. 

5) The entry-level Tasman had a front bench seat. The Kimberley featured twin carburettors, reclining seats and, as befitting the flagship of the range, quad headlamps. 

6) The Tasman cost $A2,598 and the Kimberley was $A2,888. Automatic transmission was $290 extra.

7) The sales copy also boasted of “Personal ventilation. Head rests. Cigar lighter. All independent suspension. A fully instrumented dash. All the things other cars call extras, the Kimberley calls standard equipment”.

8) Not to mention: Before today, luxury motoring has been a privilege enjoyed only bv a handful of very wealthy people. Sad, but true. At least until we built these two new cars. The Kimberley X6 and the Tasman X6. Two exciting new motor cars based on the same principles of comfort, safety and performance that have made Rover, Daimler and Jaguar respected throughout the world.

9) New Zealand motorists were offered a locally-assembled X6 with Morris badging. 

10) At  one stage, British Leyland considered using the X6’s bodyshell for the UK-built 1800/2200 Mk. III but  rejected this idea on cost grounds.

11) Vanden Plas used the X6 as the basis for an 1800 prototype, and this fine vehicle starred at the 2017 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.

12) Australian Motor Sports and Automobiles magazine of December 1970 thought the Kimberley had “a great deal of appeal to the old Wolseley buyers”.

13) Wheels  magazine thought “Austins hit the button”.

14) One problem facing Leyland-Australia dealers was the X6 was a front-wheel-drive car at a time when many drivers still favoured RWD. There were also complaints regarding quality issues, especially overheating and fuel vapour locks, and the lack of optional power-assisted steering.

15) Leyland Australia introduced the Mk. II version in May 1972, with the Kimberley now in single carburettor form.

16) To lure Holden, Valiant and Falcon drivers, Leyland boasted:

Once you open the door of the MKII Kimberley you'll notice the new, smarter door trim. You'll also notice the door-to-door carpet. It's thicker, and of richer texture than before. The front bucket seats have been given more shape, to give you more support and comfort than before. They also have built-in head restraints. And there is a central armrest with a built-in ashtray. Not forgetting the rear seat passengers, they also get a central armrest. 

17) Wheels referred to “The Hit-And-Miss Kimberley II” as “Austin’s Enigma”.

18) Production ended in December 1972.

19) Leyland Australia still had unsold stocks of the X6 by June 1973 when they launched the replacement P76.

20) To quote Wheels: The Tasman is obviously out of the mainstream of conventional six-cylinder cars but this doesn’t mean it can’t satisfy the same requirements while continuing to hold a strong appeal to the more discerning motorists. It’s not hard to imagine the Kimberley, especially, running a $5000 plus price tag if it carried BMW or Volvo badges and was fully imported.

With thanks to Manor Park Classics for their time and for permission to use the images in this blog.