The LC and LM Numbers
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To signify the new direction the company was heading following the Ryder report in March 1975, the single and integrated Leyland Cars division changed their way of naming upcoming new car projects. This new system was implemented to replace the “ADO” system employed by Austin-Morris, as well as the fractious and none-too established naming employed by the Specialist Division.

The “LC” prefix stood for Leyland Cars, whilst “LM” referred to Light Medium. As explained in Chapter Nine, the Light Medium division came about due to a marketing reshuffle at BL in the autumn of 1979, when the Specialist Division was disbanded. The Light Medium division did not last long, being replaced by Austin Rover in 1980.

The LM codes changed on a fairly regular basis, as the business and the company’s relationship with Honda changed, but this list represents those projects actively pursued by Austin Rover.

LC series

Codename	Details	Dates	Picture
LC8	Austin Metro Picked up the pieces of the ADO88 project, employing that cars understructure, engines and suspension. LC8 signified a smarter body style.	Dev:  1978-1980 Prod: 1980-1991
LC9	Triumph Acclaim Also known as “Project Bounty” by BL.	Dev:  1979-1981 Prod: 1981-1984
LC10	Austin Maestro Signified the BL phase of the mid-sized car development programme, formerly known as ADO99 (and renamed thus to break links with the “ADO” naming scheme). Also covered a saloon version which would eventually become the Austin Montego (LM11).	Dev:  1977-1980
LC12	Coupé	Dev:  1978-1980
LC40	Jaguar saloon Jaguar’s XJ40 renamed in 1977 to tie in with the rest of the “single integrated” Leyland line-up. Codename only briefly used, reverting to XJ40 in 1978.	Dev:  1972-1986 Prod: 1986-1994

LM series

Codename	Details	Dates	Picture
LM10	Austin Maestro Final development name for this car – in this period, the rear suspension was altered.	Dev:  1980-1982 Prod: 1982-1994
LM11	Austin Montego	Dev:  1980-1983 Prod: 1983-1994
LM12	Coupé 2-door coupé based on the LM11 floorpan – intended to be badged as an MG and replace all MGs and TRs.	Dev:  1980-1981
LM14	Five-door hatchback Hatchback rear end for the Montego – similar in execution to the contemporary Talbot Alpine/VW Passat. This was to have been a more upmarket car than the Montego, with no 1300cc version.	Dev:  1980-1981
LM15	Executive car Rebodied SD-1; dropped by management on the advice of Roy Axe in favour of the Rover-Honda XX.	Dev:  1980-1981
LM19	Austn Ambassador Rebodied ADO71.	Dev:  1980-1981 Prod: 1981-1984

NB: According to different BL/Austin Rover corporate plans, there were also references made to the LM16 and LM17. LM16 was referred to variously as an open topped version of the LM12 or a hatchback version of LM15. LM17 was another code used in reference to an executive class car, but the rebodied SD-1 LM15 project was actually seriously evaluated.

Copyright © 2002 Keith Adams