70th Anniversary of the Austin-Morris 152/J2
Released by BMC in 1956, and seen as the British alternative to the VW Transporter, the Austin-Morris 152/J2 was available in both Austin and Morris versions, with revised front styling for each. The Austin example can be seen here, in minibus form, with the slatted design of the front grille. The Austin-Morris Omni model was released in June of 1956. Bodywork was of a unitary construction, with the pressings manufacturing taking place at Nuffield Metal Products, Ward End, Birmingham, and assembly moved to Adderley Park. The Austin example featured a slatted front grille style, with the Morris version featuring an inverted lozenge shape grille. Slightly larger in body shape to the VW, with more bulbous styling to the body sides, many in the UK referred to this model as 'the Hovis van', in reference to the famous British loaf of bread, which did share an uncanny resemblance in shape! Initially available in four formats, these were the Omnivan, Omnicoach, Omnitruck...