The Austin 3-Litre was British Leyland's Biggest White Elephant

In the midst of the formation of British Leyland, the firm found itself with one lame duck in its range - the Austin 3-Litre. But despite its less-than-successful life, did the car itself deserve better?

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00:00 Introduction and Advertisement
00:46 A History Lesson
04:37 The Land Lobster
07:35 An Expensive Heart, and Nothing to Show for It
12:43 Hydrolastic Supremacy
20:02 A Predicament
26:12 BL's White Elephant

[aston-martin-internationalist]

I actually really like the 3.0. I think the proportions are spot-on. The front is interesting, the rear is really handsome. This is one of my favourite of the big Austins.

[FamousEccles]

I've got to be honest... I love the Austin 1800, and this 3 litre is simply gorgeous!

[philtucker]

I must say the example you were showing looked utterly immaculate and quite lovely in the summer sun. I’m always impressed with quality of the classics that are entrusted to your care. Well done young man!

[controversialrebel]

I had an Austin 3 Litre in black and it looked utterly amazing. I think it was a superb car with brilliant road handling, drive quality and build. I loved it.

[charlesmclean]

I remember seeing a 3 litre when I was around 7 years young in Jamaica and said to myself, is this a real car. I admired the car. My father had a Westminister and was hoping that he would trade the Westminister for the 3litre. To this day, I admire these beautiful cars. I am from Jamaica 🇯🇲 and all those new Austin cars from the 60s were very beautiful. The 1800 Cambridge, the 1800 (land crab), and it's a shame that the people of England never had respect for these cars.

[peterthwaites]

What a brilliantly produced video... For a young man your enthusiasm and knowledge of cars from this era is unparalleled, even if the particular car featured was of little interest to me (which they never are) the way you put it across while still giving driving impressions i could listen to you all day...

[TheBasementChannel]

I actually think they nailed the styling on this car. The proportions are much better than the 1800, and the tail lights look great. I’d love to own one, but so rare now!

[philtucker]

Hi Ed, it certainly looked like a very comfortable 60mph cruiser perfect for a “successful man in total control of his world” 😊

[jb]

Funny how tastes differ, as to me this is one of the most handsome and stately of cars, and I always thought it looked especially imposing from the front! Not sure about this example's vinyl roof though.... Excellent video, by the way

[MyHumanWreckage]

I know this car has been much maligned, but I happen to love it, and I’d love to own it!

[jrushen]

For one who was not born in this era your review was mature and fantastic. Loved it.

[grayfool]

This maybe the video that you have been building up to for the last few years. The history was excellent, the tech stuff even bettr (I'd completely forgotten about the self levelling rear suspension!), and the driving section was a joy. I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks edition. I might even think about buying a 3 Litre one day. Please don't tell my wife, she may think I have finally lost the plot completely.

[Azureecosse]

my grandparents owned one and they towed a humongous 22ft Safari caravan with it this Caravan was all solid wood inside it it must have weighed more than the car, they went all over Britain in it in the 60s and 70s, when they passed away in the 80s the caravan fell to my Dad to own, I remember he tried to tow it with his Triumph 2000 and it struggled so badly that the car overheated and broke down. They cannot have been that bad if they managed to tow that weight behind them.

[george]

This is definitely an eye-of-the-beholder moment. I love it (well, okay, except maybe for the headlight treatment). Everything about it is gorgeous: the proportions, the understated rear end, that colour combination, the plush interior, your description of the ride and handling! Such a shame it didn't do well when released. Great video, as always.

[TheLRider]

I loved the looks then and still do.. If I had the space I'd have one in my garage. They are very different to their competition of that era and beyond too.. And so so comfortable.

[gsgyt]

What a pleasant surprise to discover a fresh car channel with such a rich and well put together content. Congrats!

[MGBetts]

I liked the 3-litre - I preferred the proportions to the land-crabs. I don't think I even knew this particular example existed! 😍

[Maddpunx]

I've always loved these, even when I was a kid, an elderly couple down the road had one, it looked huge as it wafted past.

[jjll]

Controversial opinion but this is one of the most handsome Austin’s I’ve seen a long time!

[lanctermann]

I'm not from Britain, but I've owned two British cars in my life. I'm looking for my third now, a big Austin. Excellent video!