The Austin Ant (development code ADO19)[1] is a small four-wheel drive vehicle that was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis for the motor manufacturer Austin.
Although the Ant is widely regarded as a military vehicle, some sources suggest it was conceived with civilian use in mind as well.
The Ant was cancelled in 1968 before full-scale production began, during the period when BMC became part of the British Leyland (BL) conglomerate; the merger caused several overlaps in model ranges, and the Ant was regarded as too close a competitor for the Land Rover range.
[3] The Ant used an A-Series engine, transverse mounted and tilted slightly backward to allow greater ground clearance and suspension movement.
The main gearbox was placed in the engine sump, as on the Mini.