The 1982 #ECV3 featured yesterday was a showcase for future innovations. What #BritishLeyland actually gave its customers in 1983 was the #Austin Maestro - seen here at the #BritishMotorMuseum in base trim. The #Maestro, alongside the #Metro and #Montego, was part of a semi-successful three-pronged model offensive; the ‘M cars’ were quite well received but didn’t deliver the hoped-for transformational breakthrough in terms of the company’s reputation and sales. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar

Today another #BritishMotorMuseum exhibit with a special link to the museum’s Gaydon site. In 1978, #BritishLeyland took the far-sighted decision to buy RAF Gaydon as the base for its centralised test track and R&D centre. The new BL Technology operation, as it was called, produced this showcase for its talents, the #ECV3. Sleek aero, a 3-cylinder engine, and advanced aluminium and composites construction all featured. Not at all bad for 1982. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar