British Motor Corporation (Australia)

[3] In 1947 Lord Nuffield purchased the former Victoria Park Racecourse, Sydney as the site for a car assembly plant.

Austin and Morris vehicles were assembled at the facility and subsequently it was to be the design and manufacturing centre for BMC Australia.

[7] During a period of significant postwar reconstruction, migrant assimilation and technical innovation, the factory employed a peak of 7,000 people from 35 nations.

[8][9] This factory produced the Austin Lancer and Morris Major models which were based on the Wolseley 1500 but modified for Australian conditions.

Its success prompted a revised Australian only model line up to be introduced in 1965, beginning with the Morris Mini Deluxe, the first to use Hydrolastic suspension, to have wind-up windows, ignition key operated starter and an improved level of trim and options.

Australian Marinas were also shipped as CKD assembly packs to New Zealand and South Africa, where the six cylinder engine was also offered.

Following the worldwide collapse of British Leyland and its associates, linked with the reduction of import tariffs protecting car manufacturers in Australia (Chrysler, Ford and Holden), the Victoria Park Racecourse, Sydney factory, opened by Lord Nuffield in 1957 was closed by 1975.

Production of the Mini from imported CKD shells was continued by Pressed Metal Corporation (PMC) in the Sydney suburb of Enfield until 1978 and the Moke until 1982.

[17] Leyland of Australia then proceeded to assemble the Peugeot 505 (sedan and wagon) and import the Honda Quint, which was sold as the Rover Quintet locally.