TESTERS' REPORT
Page 74
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AN impressively spacious car for a saloon less than 14 ft. long overall, the Morris 1800 tested by COMMERCIAL MOTOR is available also in Austin form: both cost £924 for de luxe and £888 for standard versions. With all-independent Hydrolastic suspension, a "wheel at each corner" layout, braced-tread tyres and front-wheel drive, the 1800 proved a safe-feeling and exceptionally stable car to drive; its handling, roadholding and level ride earned high praise from our drivers. The driving seat was adjustable over a range that was generous even for 6 ft. drivers, though this placed them rather far from some controls. The heating and ventilation (including really excellent multi-position fresh air vents) gained only fair marks because getting the right temperature in the right place called for precise, experienced handling of several controls.
A comfortable, attractively furnished and lively car with tractable engine and remarkable capability for eating up the miles, the Morris 1800 proved very variable in fuel consumption. Driven in leisurely fashion, over 28 m.p.g. was achievable but town use or hard motorway driving soon brought the figure to 20 or less.
The power-assisted brakes gave excellent response and good feel, but three driving features drew criticism from all CM's test drivers in varying degree. The steering, although accurate, responsive and adequately light at speed, was low-geared and yet felt on the heavy side in town; the gearchange was clumsy and rather crude-feeling, with difficulty at times in selecting first or second gear; and the body wind noise increased markedly with speed and was joined by transmission noise at 65 m.p.h.-reaching an irritating level at the motorway cruising speed of 70 m.p.h.