Austin Ambassador (LM19). 1982–4 (prod. 226,000 approx. for all Princess and Austin Ambassador variants). 5-door saloon. F/F, 1695, 1994 cm³ (I4 OHC). The variant the Princess should always have had. Addition of rear tailgate finally makes best use of its wedge shape. Almost every panel new other than front door skins. Sloping grille, six-light body and low bonnet line more contemporary. Some nice touches lost: windscreen wipers now exposed; interior worsened and now Austin Allegro-like. Underpowered, yet six-cylinder engine no longer available. Ride, using Moulton’s Hydragas system, probably only redeeming feature. A sad end to roomy, ambitious car.

Manufacturing location: Cowley, Oxfordshire, England

Marque: Austin | Predecessor: Princess 2 | Successor: Austin Montego Mk I

Off-site link

• Austin Rover Online: Princess development story