THE BRITISH AUSSIE BATTLER
The P76 was ahead in many areas of its Australian ‘big’ car rivals from Holden, Ford, and Chrysler. It was the company’s first attempt at a large car built for Australian conditions. Prototypes even used Holden shells to develop its new running gear. Excellent structural rigidity resulted in a light but very strong body. That intriguing shape was an obstacle for some for sure, but it was bold — as any challenger needs to be — and it makes the car an appreciating classic today.
There was a lot riding on the P76 and, given its positive reception in the press, it deserved to sell better than it did. It was Wheels magazine’s ‘Car of The Year’ in 1973. The sums looked good and it was lighter and handled better than its rivals, scooping them all for superior interior and luggage space.
Demand outstripped supply with more than 2000 cars ordered in its first week of sales, which might have prompted the car to be rushed into production. Dealer servicing and assembly quality control problems arose, which quickly soured the new idea that Leyland could build a reliable car in the Kingswood/Falcon/Valiant mould. More development time could have overcome a number of problems but, as with many Leyland designs, owners have rectified annoyances like vibrating door lock buttons and flyaway window trim, so at least they can enjoy the car’s full potential.
It might have had controversial styling that looked unfinished to some, but its ground-breaking wedge-shaped styling at least delivered a humongous boot
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