This vehicle was sold under the J2 label, but also as the 152 Omni Series. It was the first unitary-construction van to be produced by BMC and was available as a Austin or Morris, the only difference was the badge and the radiator grill. It was available in four versions, Van, Pick-up, Minibus and as a Chassis Cab. They were produced at Nuffield Metal Products in Birmingham.
J2 Version
They started off powered by the 1498 cc B series petrol engine, but this was change to the the larger 1622 cc version along with a Diesel option of 1498 cc in 1961
152 Omnivan
Date when launched late 1956
Discontinued in 1967
Total produced not known
Engine
Petrol
1,489 cc 42 bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 64 lbs/ft at 2,000 rpm
1,622 cc 61 bhp at 4,500 rpm Max torque 90 lbs/ft at 2,100 rpm
Diesel
1,498 cc 40 bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 64 lbs/ft at 1,900 rpm
Main measurements
Length 14ft 2.1ins Width 6ft 1.8ins Height 7ft 1ins
Wheelbase 7ft 6ins Track front 4ft 2.4ins rear 4ft 5ins
Price ex Works In Grey Primer
1957 Feb £554 incl £76 Purchase Tax
Painting Standard Colours ------ Single Colour £28 no tax Dual Colour £35 no tax
152 Omnitruck
Date when launched late 1956
Discontinued in
Total produced
Engine Petrol
1,489 cc 42 bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 64lbs/ft at 2,000 rpm
Main measurements
Length 14ft 2.1ins Width 6ft 1.8ins Height 6ft 7ins
Wheel Base 7ft 6ins Track front 4ft 2.4ins rear 4ft 5ins
Price ex Works In Grey Primer
1957 Feb £546 incl £76 Purchase Tax
Painting Standard Colours ------ Single Colour £35 no tax No Dual Colour Option
152 Omnicoach
Date when launched late 1956
Discontinued in
Total produced
Engine Petrol
1,489 cc 42 bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 64lbs/ft at 2,000 rpm
Main measurements
Length 14ft 2.1ins Width 6ft 1.8ins Height 7ft 1ins
Wheel Base 7ft 6ins Track front 4ft 2.4ins rear 4ft 5ins
Price ex Works In Grey Primer
1957 Feb 13 Seater £625 No Purchase Tax
------------10 Seater £938 incl £313 Purchase Tax
Painting Standard Colours
13 Seater Single Colour £34 no tax Dual Colour £42 no tax
10 Seater Single Colour £51 incl £17 Tax Dual Colour £64 incl £21 Tax
You may have noticed that on a 13 Seater Coach no purchase tax is paid, this is because it was classed as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV). Therefore the driver had to have a PSV licence. But a 10 Seater Coach could to be driven by anybody with a full car licence, so it was taxed.
Tommy Steel picks up the keys from Steels (Cheltenham) Ltd for his
Austin Omnicoach, which is fitted out with all home comforts
In BOAC Livery
Radio Malaya