Timeline

The following timeline summarises major events within the Company history. Research by Norm Prescott and Peter Davis. 1950 Mar CKD Plant opened by Premier McGirr and Lord Nuffield 1951 Nov BMC founded by Austin/Morris merger in the UK 1954 Aug BMC Australia formed. G.A. Lloyd managing director 1958 J.W. Buckley appointed managing director 1958 Mar CAB starts production of DO1101 series 1958 Apr Ruskin Body Works, Dudley St. Melbourne, closed 1958 Sep Austin and Morris service departments merged 1958 Feb J.W Buckley resigns. G.A. Lloyd and H.J. Graves appointed joint managing directors 1959 Aug AD015 Mini launched in the UK 1959 Jul Morris Major Series II launched with 96 per cent local content 1959 Dec H.J. Graves appointed managing director 1961 Mar Morris 850 released in Australia 1962 Mar Freeway/Wolseley 24/80 and Major Elite launch 1962 Sep Mini 998cc launched 1963 Sep R.L. Abbott appointed managing director. H.J. Graves appointed deputy chairman 1964 Feb AD016 Morris 1100 launched 1965 Feb YD04 Mini launched 1965 Mar YD05 Hydrolastic Mini Deluxe launched 1965 May G.A. Lloyd retires as director 1965 Jul Parts and Accessories Division opened in Liverpool 1965 Oct YD06 Mini Cooper "S" win Bathurst (Armstrong 500) 1965 Oct AD017 Austin 1800 Mk I launched 1965 Dec Foundation stone of Nuffield Village, Castle Hill, laid 1966 Mar YD07 Mini Moke launch 1966 Nov New offices, South Dowling St., opened 1966 Dec BM Holdings formed in the UK-BMC, Jaguar, P.S., Fisher 1967 Feb F J truck launched 1967 May R.L. Abbott commits to government Plan "A" 1968 Jan Announcement of BMC/Leyland merger 1968 Jan YD010 Austin 1800 utility launched 1968 May British Leyland Corporation formed 1968 Aug J.H. Plane appointed chairman, BLMC. R.L. Abbott appointed managing director, BLMC Australia 1968 Oct ADO17 Austin 1800 Mk II launched 1968 Dec Moke production ceased in UK, continued in Australia 1969 Apr Model "B" (P76) proposal to UK board 1969 Jun YD09 Morris Nomad, Morris Nomad (1300) launched, YDO15 Morris 1500, Morris 1300 launched 1969 Jul J.O. Martin appointed managing director: Enfield plant purchased 1969 Nov P76 program approved by UK board 1970 Jan First use of P76 as model name 1970 Nov YDO13 Tasman/Kimberley launched 1972 Jun YDO19 Tasman/Kimberley MKII launched 1971 Dec Company name change to Leyland Motor Corporation of Australia 1973 Jan J.O. Martin appointed deputy chairman; P.J. North appointed managing director 1973 Feb Buyer Protection Plan launched 1973 Feb YDO25 Marina red six cylinder launched 1973 Jun P76 launched 1974 Jun J.D. Abell appointed managing director; P.J. North resigns 1974 Oct Closure of Zetland plant 1975 Mar Mini production starts at Enfield plant 1975 Mar J.D. Abell returns to UK; G. King appointed managing director