UK 1968-1971: Austin Morris 1100/1300 reclaims pole position
1968 Austin Morris 1100
* See the Top 10 best-selling models for each year by clicking on the title! *
The UK new car market hits a bump in the road over the period with sales stable in 1968 to 1,103,862 but down 13% in 1969 to 965,410. It rises back strongly afterwards though, up 12% in 1970 to 1,076,865 and up a further 19% in 1971 to 1,285,661. The most striking event in the UK car landscape in those years is the imports market share going from 8.3% in 1968 to 19.3% in 1971. This share would continue to increase greatly over the next years.
Model-wise, after one year of Ford Cortina interruption, the Austin Morris 1100/1300 is back on top of UK car sales in 1968 with 151,146 units and 13.7% share, up 15%. It stays in pole position for 3 more years up to 1971, stabilising from 1969 to 133,455 sales, 132,965 in 1970 and 133,527 in 1971.
Ford Escort MkI
The Ford Cortina is extremely regular and stays #2 up to 1970, its best two years being 1968 at 137,636 units and 12.5% and 1970 at 123,256 sales and 11.4%. The third place is held by the Vauxhall Viva in 1968 at 9.2% share, the newly launched Ford Escort in 1969 (8.8%) and 1970 (8.9%) while in 1971 the BMC Mini, back up 26% year-on-year to 103,180 units and 8% share to deliver its first year above 100,000 units since 1965, jumps up to second place.
Full Year 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 Top 10 Ranking Tables below.
UK 1968:
| Pos | Model | 1968 | % | /67 | 1967 | % | Pos |
| 1 | Austin Morris 1100/1300 | 151,146 | 13.7% | 15% | 131,382 | 11.9% | 2 |
| 2 | Ford Cortina | 137,636 | 12.5% | -17% | 165,123 | 15.0% | 1 |
| 3 | Vauxhall Viva | 101,067 | 9.2% | 1% | 100,220 | 9.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Ford Escort | 98,218 | 8.9% | new | 0 | 0.0% | - |
| 5 | Austin Morris Mini | 86,190 | 7.8% | 5% | 82,436 | 7.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Rootes “Arrow”-Range | 76,375 | 6.9% | -4% | 79,376 | 7.2% | 5 |
| 7 | Vauxhall Victor/Ventora | 40,128 | 3.6% | 4% | 38,517 | 3.5% | 7 |
| 8 | Ford Corsair | 31,014 | 2.8% | -14% | 36,170 | 3.3% | 8 |
| 9 | BMC 1.6 Farina | 30,284 | 2.7% | -12% | 34,498 | 3.1% | 10 |
| 10 | Triumph Herald/Vitesse | 29,926 | 2.7% | -10% | 33,084 | 3.0% | |
| Triumph 1300/1500 | 28,227 | 2.6% | -2% | 28,741 | 2.6% | ||
| Morris Minor | 28,096 | 2.5% | -19% | 34,565 | 3.1% | 9 | |
| BMC 1800/3-litre | 23,591 | 2.1% | -13% | 27,056 | 2.5% | ||
| Rover 2000/3500 | 22,528 | 2.0% | -8% | 24,452 | 2.2% | ||
| Ford Mark IV | 19,988 | 1.8% | -14% | 23,352 | 2.1% | ||
| Hillman Imp | 18,724 | 1.7% | -17% | 22,536 | 2.0% | ||
| Triumph 2000/2500 | 15,648 | 1.4% | -8% | 17,042 | 1.5% | ||
| Ford Anglia | 13,951 | 1.3% | -75% | 55,735 | 5.1% | 6 | |
| Singer Chamois | 7,008 | 0.6% | -26% | 9,504 | 0.9% | ||
| Triumph Sports cars | 6,825 | 0.6% | -15% | 8,065 | 0.7% | ||
| MGB/MGC | 5,798 | 0.5% | -30% | 8,320 | 0.8% | ||
| Rover 3.0/3.5 | 4,294 | 0.4% | 90% | 2,259 | 0.2% | ||
| Sunbeam Stiletto | 3,095 | 0.3% | 51% | 2,051 | 0.2% | ||
| Hillman Husky | 3,033 | 0.3% | 48% | 2,051 | 0.2% | ||
| MG Midget/Sprite | 2,568 | 0.2% | -43% | 4,532 | 0.4% | ||
| Hillman Imp Californian | 1,852 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||
| Sunbeam Imp Sport | 1,583 | 0.1% | -43% | 2,756 | 0.3% |
UK 1969:
| Pos | Model | 1969 | % | /68 | 1968 | % | Pos |
| 1 | Austin Morris 1100/1300 | 133,455 | 13.8% | -12% | 151,146 | 13.7% | 1 |
| 2 | Ford Cortina | 116,186 | 12.0% | -16% | 137,636 | 12.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Ford Escort | 85,156 | 8.8% | -13% | 98,218 | 8.9% | 4 |
| 4 | Vauxhall Viva | 75,354 | 7.8% | -25% | 101,067 | 9.2% | 3 |
| 5 | Austin Morris Mini | 68,330 | 7.1% | -21% | 86,190 | 7.8% | 5 |
| 6 | Rootes “Arrow”-Range | 65,165 | 6.7% | -15% | 76,375 | 6.9% | 6 |
| 7 | Vauxhall Victor/Ventora | 33,582 | 3.5% | -16% | 40,128 | 3.6% | 7 |
| 8 | Ford Capri | 33,047 | 3.4% | new | 0 | 0.0% | - |
| 9 | BMC 1.6 Farina | 30,784 | 3.2% | 2% | 30,284 | 2.7% | 9 |
| 10 | BMC 1800/3-litre | 29,005 | 3.0% | 23% | 23,591 | 2.1% | n/a |
| Triumph Herald/Vitesse | 23,701 | 2.5% | -21% | 29,926 | 2.7% | 10 | |
| Triumph 1300/1500 | 21,932 | 2.3% | -22% | 28,227 | 2.6% | ||
| Hillman Imp | 19,600 | 2.0% | 5% | 18,724 | 1.7% | ||
| Rover 2000/3500 | 18,435 | 1.9% | -18% | 22,528 | 2.0% | ||
| Morris Minor | 16,859 | 1.7% | -40% | 28,096 | 2.5% | ||
| Ford Mark IV | 15,579 | 1.6% | -22% | 19,988 | 1.8% | ||
| Ford Corsair | 14,044 | 1.5% | -55% | 31,014 | 2.8% | 8 | |
| Triumph 2000/2500 | 13,717 | 1.4% | -12% | 15,648 | 1.4% | ||
| MGB/MGC | 6,541 | 0.7% | 13% | 5,798 | 0.5% | ||
| Triumph Sports cars | 5,343 | 0.6% | -22% | 6,825 | 0.6% | ||
| Rover 3.0/3.5 | 4,938 | 0.5% | 15% | 4,294 | 0.4% | ||
| MG Midget/Sprite | 3,725 | 0.4% | 45% | 2,568 | 0.2% | ||
| Singer Chamois | 3,526 | 0.4% | -50% | 7,008 | 0.6% | ||
| Hillman Husky | 2,706 | 0.3% | -11% | 3,033 | 0.3% | ||
| Sunbeam Stiletto | 1,576 | 0.2% | -49% | 3,095 | 0.3% | ||
| Hillman Imp Californian | 892 | 0.1% | -52% | 1,852 | 0.2% | ||
| Sunbeam Imp Sport | 861 | 0.1% | -46% | 1,583 | 0.1% | ||
| Ford Anglia | 0 | 0.0% | -100% | 13,951 | 1.3% |
UK 1970:
| Pos | Model | 1970 | % | /69 | 1969 | % | Pos |
| 1 | Austin Morris 1100/1300 | 132,965 | 12.3% | 0% | 133,455 | 13.8% | 1 |
| 2 | Ford Cortina | 123,256 | 11.4% | 6% | 116,186 | 12.0% | 2 |
| 3 | Ford Escort | 95,782 | 8.9% | 12% | 85,156 | 8.8% | 3 |
| 4 | Austin Morris Mini | 80,740 | 7.5% | 18% | 68,330 | 7.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Vauxhall Viva | 76,838 | 7.1% | 2% | 75,354 | 7.8% | 4 |
| 6 | Hillman Avenger | 50,133 | 4.7% | new | 0 | 0.0% | - |
| 7 | Rootes “Arrow”-Range | 43,111 | 4.0% | -34% | 65,165 | 6.7% | 6 |
| 8 | Ford Capri | 38,186 | 3.5% | 16% | 33,047 | 3.4% | 8 |
| 9 | BMC 1800/3-litre | 32,927 | 3.1% | 14% | 29,005 | 3.0% | 10 |
| 10 | Vauxhall Victor/Ventora | 27,930 | 2.6% | -17% | 33,582 | 3.5% | 7 |
| Austin Morris Maxi (e) | 25,900 | 2.4% | new | 0 | 0.0% | - | |
| Hillman Minx (e) | 25,800 | 2.4% | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Rover 2000/3500/3.0/3.5 | 25,223 | 2.3% | 37% | 18,435 | 1.9% | ||
| Triumph 1300/1500 | 21,261 | 2.0% | -3% | 21,932 | 2.3% | ||
| Triumph Herald/Vitesse | 18,489 | 1.7% | -22% | 23,701 | 2.5% | ||
| Triumph 2000/2500 | 18,205 | 1.7% | 33% | 13,717 | 1.4% | ||
| Ford Mark IV | 14,477 | 1.3% | -7% | 15,579 | 1.6% | ||
| Hillman Imp | 14,081 | 1.3% | -28% | 19,600 | 2.0% | ||
| Ford Corsair | 13,865 | 1.3% | -1% | 14,044 | 1.5% | ||
| Morris Minor | 13,444 | 1.2% | -20% | 16,859 | 1.7% | ||
| BMC 1.6 Farina | 10,852 | 1.0% | -65% | 30,784 | 3.2% | 9 | |
| MGB/MGC | 7,940 | 0.7% | 21% | 6,541 | 0.7% | ||
| Triumph Sports cars | 5,766 | 0.5% | 8% | 5,343 | 0.6% | ||
| MG Midget/Sprite | 4,254 | 0.4% | 14% | 3,725 | 0.4% | ||
| Hillman Husky | 2,096 | 0.2% | -23% | 2,706 | 0.3% | ||
| Singer Chamois | 1,126 | 0.1% | -68% | 3,526 | 0.4% | ||
| Sunbeam Stiletto | 1,021 | 0.1% | -35% | 1,576 | 0.2% | ||
| Sunbeam Imp Sport | 593 | 0.1% | -31% | 861 | 0.1% | ||
| Hillman Imp Californian | 380 | 0.0% | -57% | 892 | 0.1% | ||
| Triumph Stag | 315 | 0.0% | new | 0 | 0.0% |
UK 1971:
| Pos | Model | 1971 | % | /70 | 1970 | % | Pos |
| 1 | BMC 1100/1300 | 133,527 | 10.4% | 0% | 132,965 | 12.3% | 1 |
| 2 | BMC Mini | 103,180 | 8.0% | 28% | 80,740 | 7.5% | 4 |
| 3 | Ford Cortina | 102,214 | 8.0% | -17% | 123,256 | 11.4% | 2 |
| 4 | Vauxhall Viva (e) | 97,700 | 7.6% | 27% | 76,838 | 7.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Ford Escort | 89,143 | 6.9% | -7% | 95,782 | 8.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Hillman Avenger (e) | 63,000 | 4.9% | 26% | 50,133 | 4.7% | 6 |
| 7 | Rootes “Arrow”-Range (e) | 48,800 | 3.8% | 13% | 43,111 | 4.0% | 7 |
| 8 | Austin 1.5-litre/Maxi | 42,867 | 3.3% | 66% | 25,900 | 2.4% | n/a |
| 9 | Morris Marina | 41,164 | 3.2% | new | 0 | 0.0% | - |
| 10 | BMC 1800/3-litre | 39,163 | 3.0% | 19% | 32,927 | 3.1% | 9 |
| Ford Capri | 33,944 | 2.6% | -11% | 38,186 | 3.5% | 8 | |
| Rover 2000/3500/3.0/3.5 | 31,508 | 2.5% | 25% | 25,223 | 2.3% | ||
| Triumph Herald/Vitesse | 29,878 | 2.3% | 62% | 18,489 | 1.7% | ||
| Triumph 1300/1500 | 25,663 | 2.0% | 21% | 21,261 | 2.0% | ||
| Triumph 2000/2500 | 21,080 | 1.6% | 16% | 18,205 | 1.7% | ||
| Hillman Imp | 15,574 | 1.2% | 11% | 14,081 | 1.3% | ||
| Ford Mark IV | 14,908 | 1.2% | 3% | 14,477 | 1.3% | ||
| MGB/MGC | 9,396 | 0.7% | 18% | 7,940 | 0.7% | ||
| Triumph Sports cars | 8,199 | 0.6% | 42% | 5,766 | 0.5% | ||
| BMC Minor | 6,976 | 0.5% | -48% | 13,444 | 1.2% | ||
| MG Midget/Sprite | 3,992 | 0.3% | -6% | 4,254 | 0.4% | ||
| Triumph Stag | 1,662 | 0.1% | 428% | 315 | 0.0% | ||
| Ford Corsair | 727 | 0.1% | -95% | 13,865 | 1.3% | ||
| Sunbeam Stiletto | 723 | 0.1% | -29% | 1,021 | 0.1% | ||
| Sunbeam Imp Sport | 591 | 0.0% | 0% | 593 | 0.1% | ||
| Hillman Husky | 384 | 0.0% | -82% | 2,096 | 0.2% | ||
| Triumph Dolomite | 51 | 0.0% | new | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Hillman Imp Californian | 33 | 0.0% | -91% | 380 | 0.0% | ||
| Singer Chamois | 29 | 0.0% | -97% | 1,126 | 0.1% |
(e): estimate
Source: SMMT and manufacturers, many thanks to Florian and Chris for sharing the data!
It wasn’t the Granada. I believe it was the Zephyr in those days.
I understand the Ford Granada was introduced in 1972, and I’m puzzled by its appearance in the 1970 and 1971 figures.
Hi Keir,
It is indeed puzzling… Anyone has the answer to that?
cheers
Matt