Austin 1 & 1.5 ton (LD
Range)
This model which was to
replace the K8 25 cwt Three-way van, and was sold under both the
Morris and Austin banner. They were produced in Birmingham at
Adderley Park which had been part of the Morris empire.
The Austin was badged as the 1ton Van (LD1) and the 1.5ton (LD2)
launched in December 1954. Initially it was only available with a
petrol engine of 2.2litre. But at the beginning of 1955 both were
available with a 2.2litre diesel engine as an option. The LD2
larger capacity was achieved with a raised roof and a longer body.
It also had a stiffer suspension all round, and a lower rear axle
ratio.
The rugged chassis, with four cross-members was designed to
accommodate a wide variety of specialised bodies.
It continued for another five years until in April 1960 when the
next major update was the introduction of the four speed all
synchromesh gearbox. The 1ton was now called LD-M20 and the 1½ton
LD-30.
Various changes were still been made as it was then called the
240/260LD and 340/350LD where the numerals say 340 was the GVW
(Gross Vehicle Weight). When the plating and testing regulations
came in the 350LD was uprated to 3.6 tonnes, by increasing the tyre
ply rating to carry the extra load. The vehicle was then subject
to annual Goods Vehicle
testing and Operator Licencing requirements.
In 1967 the LD range was replaced by the EA model.
Ambulance
12 seater
Coach
LD Tractor Unit
Date when launched
1954
Discontinued in 1967
Total produced not known
Engine
Petrol
2,199 cc 46 bhp at 3,250 rpm Max torque 97 lbs/ft at 1,800
rpm
Diesel
2,178 cc 55 bhp at 3,500 rpm Max torque 89 lbs/ft at 2,800
rpm
Main measurements 1 ton
Length 14ft 7.3ins Width 6ft 4ins Height 7ft 5.5ins
Wheelbase 8ft 4.4ins Track front 4ft 10.7ins rear 4ft 8.4ins
Main measurements 1.5 ton
Length 15ft 2.5ins Width 6ft 4ins Height 8ft 1.4ins
Wheelbase 8ft 4.4ins Track front 4ft 10.7ins rear 4ft 10ins
Price Van ex Works In Grey Primer
January 1956
1 ton Petrol £722 incl Purchase Tax
1.5 ton Petrol £ 758 incl Purchase Tax
January 1956
1 ton Diesel £840 incl £118 Purchase Tax
1.5 ton Diesel £877 incl £124 Purchase Tax
June 1959
1 ton Petrol Van £694
1.5 ton Petrol Van £728
1 ton Diesel Van £799
1.5 ton Diesel Van £ 833
Note the reduction in price, this was because Purchase Tax was
removed on commercial vehicles in the 1959 Budget
___________________________
London Ambulance
Service
Special plastic bodied
LD
It was in 1956 that
the London
County Council's Health Committee
decided that they needed to change the 220 large ambulances. They
were difficult to handle in the traffic and were only doing about 9
mpg, and the ride was poor.
Having looked around for a suitable chassis, it was decided to use
a Austin petrol engine LD.2. The chassis would be
modified in the following way at their own Wandsworth workshop.
Chassis would be lowered to bring the floor level down to 1ft 8ins
from the ground. It would be necessary to also improve the ride as
it was rather harsh, and the exhaust and intake noise
excessive.
Rear axle
assemble
The picture above shows the
rear axle assemble that was final decided upon. A tubular
cross-members support the LD.2 differential case. The De Dion tube
is located by twin radius rods on each side, with a Panhard rod
giving lateral location. Aeon auxiliary rubber springs are inside
the coil springs, with Woodhead-Monroe shock absorbers completing
the assemble. Austin's Design Department were willing to offer
advice and also allow changes to be made from standard. At the
front the springs were lengthened and the steering brought
forward.
A batch of nine MKI were built using a standard steel cab. At the
back was a plastic body resting on six rubber mountings carried on
outriggers attached to the chassis frame, with the floor made from
aluminium chequer plate. Testing of the prototype took place at
MIRA, and the design gave a very good ride, with absence of roll on
corners and also freedom from fore-and-aft pitching. The standard
exhaust silencer was replaced by the larger Princess model version,
and intake noise was also reduced by fitting the air cleaner from
the taxi. One of the test vehicles was fitted with a experimental
all-British Hobbs automatic transmission, which was never fitted in
the production versions.
Mark
I
From the experience gained
from the Mark I batch, it was time to produce the Mark II version.
The main difference was that the body would now be completely made
from plastic. The various parts were made in separate moulds, cab
shell, floor, wheel arches, fascia panel and engine cowl, and were
impregnated with slate powder which gave it hard wearing properties
and was self colouring, the roof had a translucent centre
section.
Showing the
final completed body
Later version
using a 1100 grille MKII
Rear
interior
Cab
interior
MKIII
For the MKIII version the
main change was that the body now incorporated a double skin, which
produced a stronger body. The moulding above the cab now allowed a
single glass ambulance sign. Indicators are now positioned above
the doors which allowed side lights to moved directly under the
headlights. The front end now has a cleaner look, with its revised
tapered grille and horizontal bars. You will see that a large horn
was now installed on the roof, this was because with increased
traffic noise the bell could not always be heard. It is interesting
that above the bell is now a Morris badge.
Thanks to Steve for some of the
information and pictures.
If you were employed at the
Wandsworth
workshop, or drove one of these vehicles, please get in
touch. Contact
It
appears that LLA 231 Austin LD MKI ambulance was one of a batch of
three sold out of service at Garratt Lane Auctions in 1963/4. They
were all painted grey before going to the auction. The others were
almost certainly LLA 232 (picture in the article) and probably LLA
233.
LLA 231 was bought for conversion to a mobile greengrocer's shop,
which served the Box Hill area of Surrey. It was painted light
green, with the blacked out windows replaced by clear glass. Rear
doors would be closed when travelling from its base to the area it
was working that day, but then would remain open. The vehicle was
fitted with chimes similar to Ice Cream vans with this one playing
Oranges and Lemons. Internal roof racks were cut down from a scrap
Bedford OB coach and fitted to give extra carrying space. With all
this extra weight the roof was beginning to sag where the racks
were fitted, so only light goods could be put there.
Information supplied by Tony Marshall.
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LD2 NAFFI in the Christmas Island
LD Prime Mover