ado16.info desk

ado16.info desk ado16.info was established in 1999 to cater for the BMC 1100/1300 range of cars. Over the years the site has grown, and has connected people worldwide.

ado16.info is your ultimate destination for all things related to the iconic BMC 1100/1300 (ADO16) family of cars. If you choose to subscribe to us, you'll enjoy a host of exclusive benefits such as:

- Vast ADO16 Model Coverage: A comprehensive resource for models built in the UK, as well as those built overseas.
- Exclusive Discounts: Access member-only discounts on ADO16 car parts and accessori

es.
- Technical Expertise: Tap into a treasure trove of technical information for DIY maintenance and restoration.
- Rich History: Explore press photos and brochures, delving into the history of the ADO16.
- Engaging Community: Join an active Facebook group to connect with like-minded enthusiasts.

New on ADO16.info: Something Old is Stirring…Today marks the beginning of something rather special. It’s a project we’ve...
08/08/2026

New on ADO16.info: Something Old is Stirring…

Today marks the beginning of something rather special. It’s a project we’ve dreamed about tackling for many years, but until now it has remained firmly on the “one day…” list. That day has finally…

Project Phoenix begins. Follow our most ambitious preservation project as something long thought lost slowly returns to ado16.info.

🚗 Could you pass your passion for classic cars to the next generation?There's nothing quite like seeing someone discover...
01/08/2026

🚗 Could you pass your passion for classic cars to the next generation?

There's nothing quite like seeing someone discover the joy of classic motoring for the first time. Lancaster Insurance has introduced a Young Accompanied Driver option that could help make that possible for eligible policyholders.

Read more on ADO16.info 👇

Discover Lancaster Insurance's Young Accompanied Driver option, helping younger enthusiasts experience classic motoring with confidence.

🚗 Could your ADO16 make its NEC debut this November?This year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show has a fantastic t...
28/07/2026

🚗 Could your ADO16 make its NEC debut this November?

This year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show has a fantastic theme: Debutants.

We're hoping to bring that theme to life on the ado16.info stand by showcasing ADO16s that have never been displayed at the NEC before.

Whether your car is beautifully restored, wonderfully original, or simply well loved, we'd love to hear from you if it's never taken centre stage at the NEC.

Think your ADO16 could be one of this year's debutants?

Read more and get in touch using the contact form below the article.

👇 We'd love to hear from you!

Could your ADO16 make its NEC debut? Join ado16.info at the Classic Motor Show this November and help bring the Debutants theme to life.

🚗 Could YOUR ADO16 be making its NEC debut this November?Each year, the organisers of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Mo...
27/06/2026

🚗 Could YOUR ADO16 be making its NEC debut this November?

Each year, the organisers of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show set a theme for clubs to bring to life.

This year’s theme is “Debutants” – celebrating vehicles making their very first appearance at the NEC.

At ADO16.info, we’d love to stay true to that theme, so we’re looking for ADO16s that have never been displayed at the NEC Classic Motor Show before.

Whether you’ve recently completed a restoration, own a beautifully preserved original, or have a car with a fascinating story to tell, we’d love to hear from you.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s an Austin, Morris, MG, Riley, Wolseley, Vanden Plas, AUTHI, Innocenti or IMV – if it’s an ADO16 that’s never graced an NEC stand, it could be the perfect debutant.

Taking part is a fantastic experience. You’ll spend the weekend with fellow enthusiasts, chat to thousands of visitors, and help celebrate the story of Britain’s best-loved car.

📍 NEC Birmingham
📅 13–15 November 2026

If you’d like your car to be considered, simply send us a message with a few photographs and tell us a little about its history. Even if you’re unsure whether it’s suitable, we’d love to hear from you.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post. The perfect debutant might be tucked away in a garage somewhere, just waiting for its first trip to the NEC.

Could your ADO16 be the debutant we’re looking for? #1100 #1300

Founded in 1999, ado16.info is the world’s leading online resource for the BMC and British Leyland 1100/1300 (ADO16) range – history, specs, and more.

We’ve had a lot of messages about this over the last 48 hours — and having now seen it for ourselves, we’re confident th...
01/04/2026

We’ve had a lot of messages about this over the last 48 hours — and having now seen it for ourselves, we’re confident this is more than just speculation.

Sources close to development have confirmed that a new electric hatchback, inspired by the iconic ADO16, is currently in the works — and it’s being positioned squarely against cars like the Volkswagen Golf.

From what we’ve been told, the car sits on a dedicated EV platform, with production understood to be planned in Europe. Early indications suggest a focus on practicality, simplicity, and usable range — very much in keeping with the spirit of the original.

And then there’s the design…

Our images (captured both in the studio and out in the wild) show a modern interpretation that clearly nods to its roots, without falling into the trap of retro pastiche. Clean surfacing, upright proportions, and a surprisingly restrained interior all point to something that feels genuinely usable — not just a concept.

There has been no official announcement from the manufacturer at this stage.

But everything we’ve now seen — and had confirmed — suggests something very real may be on the horizon.

👉 Read our full investigation, including exclusive images and analysis:
https://ado16.info/exclusive-ado16-set-to-return-as-a-fully-electric-hatchback/

🚗 Day One – Let’s Go! 🇬🇧It’s Day One of the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show… and we’re all set up and ...
20/03/2026

🚗 Day One – Let’s Go! 🇬🇧

It’s Day One of the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show… and we’re all set up and ready to go! 🙌

The stand is looking fantastic, the cars are shining, and we’re looking forward to a brilliant weekend talking all things ADO16 with fellow enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a long-time owner, a curious admirer, or just love a good slice of British motoring history—come and say hello 👋

📍 Find us in Hall 5 – Stand 5-815

We’ll be here all weekend with plenty to chat about, explore, and enjoy… and of course, a few surprises along the way 😉

See you in the hall!

04/03/2026

⚠️ A quick word on Facebook adverts and potential scams

We’ve noticed a growing number of Facebook adverts appearing for car parts, tools and accessories that look tempting at first glance — often with very attractive prices. Sadly, some of these can turn out to be scams or misleading sellers.

Before buying, it’s worth taking a minute to sense-check the seller. A few quick checks can save a lot of frustration:

🔎 Look at the seller’s page
Is the content consistent? Do they regularly post about the same type of products, or does the page jump between random items?

📹 Watch the videos carefully
Do the videos clearly show the same company or branding as the advert? Sometimes videos are lifted from completely different businesses.

📷 Check the product photos
Are all the items photographed in the same or similar environment? Genuine sellers usually have consistent backgrounds or workshop settings. Mixed images from different places can be a red flag.

📅 Check the page history
Has the page existed for a while, or was it created recently? Scam pages are often very new.

💬 Look at comments and reviews
Are comments switched off? Are there genuine customer interactions or just generic responses?

💳 Think about payment methods
If a seller pushes you towards unusual payment methods or direct bank transfers, proceed with caution.

This ties in nicely with the Stop! Think Fraud campaign message — pause for a moment and sense-check before parting with your money.

None of these checks guarantee a page is genuine, but they can help highlight things that don’t quite add up.

If something feels too good to be true… it probably is.

Stay safe online 👍

🚗✨ We’re heading back to the NEC in March 2026 — and we’d love to see you there! ✨🚗If you’ve spotted the news on the web...
10/01/2026

🚗✨ We’re heading back to the NEC in March 2026 — and we’d love to see you there! ✨🚗

If you’ve spotted the news on the website (or in the latest newsletter 👀), you’ll know we’re delighted to confirm that ado16.info will be exhibiting at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show 2026 — the show many of us see as the true start of the UK classic car season.

📍 NEC Birmingham
🗓 Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd March 2026
📌 Find us in Hall 5, Stand 815

This show is a special one for us — it’s where ado16.info first officially exhibited back in 2017 — and every year it reminds us why we do what we do. The projects, the stories, the conversations, the “my dad had one of those” moments… it’s everything we love about this community, all under one roof.

And here’s where you can really help us 👇

🎟 If you’re buying tickets, PLEASE use our code: CCADO16M6
👉 Book at www.necrestorationshow.com

Using our code:

✔ saves you £3.50 on single-day adult tickets or £2 on family, child & multi-day tickets
✔ tells the organisers you’re visiting via ado16.info
✔ helps us unlock extra support for our stand
✔ and — if enough of you use it — may even earn us a small commission that goes straight back into supporting the ado16.info community

In real terms, that means more helpers, more going on at the stand, and more time chatting with our lovely visitors — which is exactly what we’re all about. We might call ourselves “the club that’s not a club”, but we’re very much powered by the people who show up and support what we do.

⏰ If you can, book by 26 February — it really helps a small, community-run platform like ours shine at events like this.

So if you’re coming to the show anyway, please think of us when choosing which code to use. We’d be hugely grateful ❤️

👉 Hall 5, Stand 815
👉 20–22 March 2026
👉 Code: CCADO16M6

Come and say hello — we can’t wait to see you there!

We've reached the end of another fabulous  👏🏻 see you again next time!
09/11/2025

We've reached the end of another fabulous 👏🏻 see you again next time!

Find us in Hall 3 for the third and final day of the
09/11/2025

Find us in Hall 3 for the third and final day of the

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Birmingham
B40 1NT

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