Matts Kimberly.

[kimberly]

Good afternoon.

First time Austin buyer here, have purchased myself a 1972 Austin Kimberly.
From Melbourne, Australia.
Good to see there's a few Melbourne members on here!  Might help in sourcing some parts!

Here are a few photos on the Kimberly.

Attachments:

[kimberly]

A few more.

She's 99% rust free.
Currently running a single SU carb, so on the search for a twin manifold and another carb.
the brakes are terrible at the moment, so a full overhaul is on the list along with exhaust and looking into the suspension.. <---- main reason I'm here.  Research!

Attachments:

[dave1800]

Welcome to the Forum! As you have already noted there are a number of Australian members here and the Kimberley has many similarities to the A/M 2200 and Wolseley Six in the UK so you are in the right place. I am sure it will be of interest to UK and other non Oz members as we never had any real body styling changes other than minor ones on the crab platform.

Regards

David

[crabmaster]

The Kimberley (MKI version) had twin carbs, but the MKII incarnation dropped the second carb and so Matt's car might be actually standard. Indeed, on one factory road test, a single-carb Tasman is reported as having a higher top speed than a twin carb Kimberley.

The Kimberley/Tasman was designed by Roy Haynes (who also designed the Marina). Haynes fell out with Webster during the Leyland merger and departed the company to set up his own design studio, with which he was hopeful for landing the job of designing the P76, but this was not going to happen with Webster at management level and this job went to Michellotti.

Haynes (who also designed the MKII Cortina) had an excellent record and the sharply sloping nose of the Kimberely was considered a master stroke of making the car look lower and sleeker. The enclosed C pillar hides the metalwork for the small rear opening windows of the 1800 which still exist inside. Even though the design found favour within Leyland, Haynes described the car as "highly priced, over-weight, and under-sexed". It was a case of too little and too late. Tony

[Penguin45]

Welcome, Matt. Good looking car.

Chris.

[Nick RS]

Hello Matt,
Looks good. I'm surprised the Kimberley style wasn't adopted here. I'm sure it would have given the Landcrab a boost here in the 1970s without much in the way of development costs.

Nick

[kimberly]

Thanks for the replays and a bit of a history check on the car, very interesting.

Is there any sudden links I should be checking out to learn about this car?
The car hasn't been registered since 1984! So it will most likely need a complete over haul running gear wise.
Although it does drive. I havnt been far at all as the brakes are horrible.
So maybe the easiest spot to find part numbers for brake parts?
Iv done a quick ring around to a few suppliers and found pads and shoes are still available, no drums or discs as of yet though.
Next I I would be looking into the suspension.....
Are replacement boots still available? Hasn't anyone ever converted to springs and shockers?
Next I would be looking at engine. It still runs rather nice, definitely needs an exhaust patch/replacement.
Is anybody making extractors? Or any suggested exhaust sizes? Iv had a quick look under the bonnet and noticed its a rather tight fit

If there's any links to any of this soft of information,that would be handy.

Thanks

[Penguin45]

I think that stepping back and having a poke round the forum is a good starting point. The Tech and Restoration forums are stuffed with advice and information covering many aspects of the 'Crab. When you get down to it, the Kimberley is a squared-up Oz 'Crab, so the basic chassis, transmission and other running gear will be the same, or very similar, to the standard 'Crab 6. I think the major exception is the hydraulics, which will be mainly Oz PBR stuff as opposed to the UK's Girling.

Tony (Crabmaster) will be able to advise you with regard to Oz specific components - joining his mailing list is definitely recommended - see the link in his profile.

Oh - never mention springs and suspension in the same sentence ever again. Taking the time to sort out the (really very simple) hydrolastic system will reward you with a large car with an unbelievably comfortable and compliant ride which will surprise you, even if you are more accustomed to modern vehicles.

Chris.

[crabmaster]

Very well said Chris. I am glad to say I am in contact with Matt via the Australian 1800 web site. I do have available for members a parts list for the Kimberley. The parts list is important because you can check what is common with the 1800 - there are many differences that you would think they wouldn't have bothered to change.

The E6 engine for this car was designed at Longbridge and locally made in Australia. At 2227 cc, I think this must be the same as a UK Wolseley 6, but those with a Wolseley might like to know that this engine went to 2623 cc for the 6 cyl version of the P76 and Marina (but for North South fitment). I do not know if this larger engine can be fitted to a FWD transmission. 

It's a handsome car, and a pity Haynes was not satisfied with it, but at that time he was under pressure from the management to conform to the new way of doing things. 

Tony

[indianajones]

Hey mate, welcome, glad to see another member from Downunder _b

I don't think we've had a member before with a Kimberly or Tasman? (unless my memory is that shot)

-Andrew

[kimberly]

Thanks for the replies again.

jumped on the eightennhundred website and found a ton of useful information!
A great help.   Also picked myself up a workshop manual to use while working on the car.

If anyone wants any photos of anywhere in particular to judge the differences between models, Aus/NZ/UK. Erosion, feel free to ask.

Have started a build thread, so make sure to checks at out also.  

Have started pulling the car apart and looking to have it back on the road after 32years of being unregistered.

[tandem]

hi matt i have an austin tasman i am wreaking it is a manual so no good to me if thats any help to you pm me if you like
regards ross