I emigrated to Australia in 1982 and P76s were still quite common. I was really confused because Leyland never ever made a car this huge in Europe. I was well impressed and when I had the opportunity to ride in one, I realised it was very sophisticated and well adapted to the Aussie environment.
Karl P in my opinion in Europe V8 in cars are usually reserved for luxury cars like Jaguar and Mercedes. In the 70s when this car may have been designed Leyland/ BL/BMC UK had Union trouble. Although BL UK's Rover in the 70s brought the SD1 which had a 3.5 V8 which popped up in a few other Rover/Land Rover/ Range Rovers back then.
You guys are a pair of real gems! You have got the enthusiasm for messing with old cars, like I had when I was nineteen. I have really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you so much for posting this.
Very interesting and informative video! I couldn't wait to hear that engine start - sounded like a fuel problem though. Very good buy - a great car that was one of the most unfortunate victims of the Australian car industry (I had a friend who owned one). If only Leyland had continued to make these, it might have forced Holden and Ford to try to meet the handling capabilities of the car years before they started to improve their own. Local Leyland engineers were quite brilliant apparently, having had to re engineer the Austin 1800 when a desert test caused the engine mounts to break - and the suspension to collapse...
Good comment! I do wonder. Were they killed off because they put the other Aussie car manufactures to shame? For all the acclaim heaped on Aussie classics of the mid seventies they were pretty average, (car for dollar value across the range, in overall production quality.) Leyland were on a winner!
My brother had one of these, in white. He got into a crash with a milk tanker on the back roads of Westland, NZ. Doctor said it was that long, wedged shaped nose that saved him from death. Nose on the car, not his wedge shaped nose.
I noticed the dash pulled apart and starting it with a screwdriver in the switch. Not many people know to start a manual p76 you put it in reverse and with foot on clutch it will crank over. If it not in reverse it will not crank.
Would have been useful to contact a P76 Club (really easy to find) would have saved you a lot of grief on the oil pressure and some of your other bits - the fix is to take the oil pump lower housing off and stuffing it full with petroleum jelly, put it back together instant oil pressure.
It's not too unusual for those Rover-based V8 engines not to have enough oil pressure on cranking to put the warning light out. Mostly they'll still have plenty enough oil pressure not to damage the engine, just not enough to satisfy the pressure switch, which can also be an issue on these engines, they weren't great quality and after sitting for so long they can be disinclined to work properly. A friend's Range-Rover, with freshly-rebuilt V8, won't put the oil pressure warning light out at 2,000 revs with 40psi oil pressure, which is a bit annoying for him as it was a proper new-old stock part and considerably more expensive than an aftermarket replacement part would have been. The joys of British Leyland...
@@gosportjamie Note that many subsequent generations of American Buick V8's had that same oil pump design flaw; due in no small part being the 215 was developed by Buick, before Rover bought the tooling, etc.
Best to replace the 2 barrel Stromberg for a 2 barrel Carter, a much better carbie & it’s a straight swap. Use one from a wrecker that’s off a 265 Chrysler Hemi 6 & the jetting will be virtually spot on.
Btw it’s not hard to swap over Falcon XF rear discs. From memory 2 little spacers need to be made to mount the axles & a new proportioning valve is needed
I had the privilege of owning 2 P76's Super V8's in the early 80's, a manual and an automatic. Both great cars with their responsive handeling and alloy V8, however my first, the manual with the 4sp Borg Warner single rail and back yard 500 Holley carburetor upgrade, is the car that evokes my nostalgia! In spite of its 'bulbous' rear end styling, the major downside for this model was the known common rust points and the poor quality interior trim! They just fell to bits over time!
That's a lot of oil smoke belching out the back. Hopefully it's just sticky rings and will clear up with a bit of use. Can't imagine it being a worn out donk, given the low mileage - but I do remember Leyland build quality in the day. :-P
What i would like to know is this most mechanics use a lot of air tools and power tools these days yet they still charge like a wounded bull, its should be cheaper, due to the less time it takes to do a job, compared to the old days of using just your normal rachchet tools etc. :)
7071t6 Possibly charge you more these days due to the cost electricity to run the compressor and the insurance of the workshop. Someone’s gotta pay it, may as well be the customer! 🛠
@@jamesmcgowen1769 I said it, meaning that the mechanics spend less time doing most work, yet charge the same, get it ? But in saying this if they have to deal with workers and insurance and all the main aspects of running a business, i get it, but those aspects really have not changed, its gone up with inflation, so better tools used and much less time to do all the every day main servicing items still charge way too much get it cheers :)
It used to cost my boss $200/hr just to have the doors open. Mechanic shops are allowed to charge "book time" (the time the manufacturer says the repair/procedure should take). Only dealers charge book time. Independents are charging far less. If the mechanic can do the job faster than book time (that's normal most of the time) that's a bonus for that shop. You're not paying full price at an independent workshop (cheaper hourly rate and less hours) anyway so... You want it done cheaper? ... do it yourself.
Nobody does this sort of thing in the U.K. any more. We're all driving front-wheel-drive cars now, with everything electronically-controlled. The number of people who know how to clean-up and get a car going like this is getting less and less. I hope that the Australians can continue to enjoy motoring for a while longer. In the U.k. automobiles have become soulless, cossetted, tame, street-cruisers; good for 100+ mph in a straight line, with only low-profile, stiffened-suspension, power-steered, negative-scrub-offset, cornering ability, no real handling characteristics to speak-of and viciously unforgiving break-away once the limit of adhesion is reached. U.K. drivers are more interested in the auxiliary driving lights and the sound system than they are in the cars' capabilities and the engineering. Some of us still remember (and a very few of us have seen) the Holden HSV, the car that could see-off a Mercedes V8. It wasn't just the power that made that car great, it was the handling and braking, too.
I'd actually tend to disagree ... the looks have grown on me. If you see them lowered, they look pretty cool. I'd admit the rear end does look a bit weird. Overall, a few styling tweaks would have been all that were needed.
Ian Godfrey agree - I've never seen one of these done up properly - it's hard to judge a 70's car's looks with skinny wheels and 6 inches of space between the tyre and the edge of the wheel arch (think XA/XB/XC Falcon hardtop - even they look crappy with factory wheels). If this thing had a 10" wide version of those jellybean mags on the back (with at least 275 tyres) and 8" inch wide on the front, and take at least 1" out of the front suspension, I think it would look very cool (fussy rear-end styling notwithstanding)
@@iangodfrey4518 thanks yes found that one - that's the right idea (altho I'm not overly keen on their taste in wheels, body mods etc. - but did find this old link from back in the day where the hoon has got the look pretty right in my opinion: th-cam.com/video/n7WtpsJamb4/w-d-xo.html
I heard that the body and running gear were brought together a bit later than ideal in the development phase, and they just had to grin and bear it for the first year or two. Of course, that year or two were all they got, controversially. Only the details are off in my opinion. Have a look online at one of these side-on compared to the 1973 kingswood, falcon and valiant... it was a 90’s car with 70’s clothes on!
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Grand Final - EDG vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WvObMc9VelI/mqdefault.jpg)
I emigrated to Australia in 1982 and P76s were still quite common. I was really confused because Leyland never ever made a car this huge in Europe. I was well impressed and when I had the opportunity to ride in one, I realised it was very sophisticated and well adapted to the Aussie environment.
Karl P in my opinion in Europe V8 in cars are usually reserved for luxury cars like Jaguar and Mercedes. In the 70s when this car may have been designed Leyland/ BL/BMC UK had Union trouble. Although BL UK's Rover in the 70s brought the SD1 which had a 3.5 V8 which popped up in a few other Rover/Land Rover/ Range Rovers back then.
6:50 that magnetic bowl.. mind blown..
You guys are a pair of real gems! You have got the enthusiasm for messing with old cars, like I had when I was nineteen. I have really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you so much for posting this.
You guys are my favourite Northern Territorians. What a great job and a great car. Well done to you both.
This is Great.Exactly what I wanted to see.An Aussie car show.Far too many American Car programs around with their tattoos and shouting try hards.
Very interesting and informative video! I couldn't wait to hear that engine start - sounded like a fuel problem though. Very good buy - a great car that was one of the most unfortunate victims of the Australian car industry (I had a friend who owned one). If only Leyland had continued to make these, it might have forced Holden and Ford to try to meet the handling capabilities of the car years before they started to improve their own. Local Leyland engineers were quite brilliant apparently, having had to re engineer the Austin 1800 when a desert test caused the engine mounts to break - and the suspension to collapse...
Good comment! I do wonder. Were they killed off because they put the other Aussie car manufactures to shame? For all the acclaim heaped on Aussie classics of the mid seventies they were pretty average, (car for dollar value across the range, in overall production quality.) Leyland were on a winner!
These things sound amazing when they're properly tuned.
That was an extremely well preserved example.
Bruce - what a legend! I watched it cause I saw P76, I then realised who "Bruce" was, Legend!
Seriously cool 😊
These cars are so awsome. The engines sound so sweet.
hey brilliant video guys - loved it! PS beautiful car too!!
My brother had one of these, in white. He got into a crash with a milk tanker on the back roads of Westland, NZ. Doctor said it was that long, wedged shaped nose that saved him from death. Nose on the car, not his wedge shaped nose.
Great nose. Great boot.
The P76 was well and truly far ahead of its time for passenger safety. I would say it was pioneering modern car design that saved your brother
Awesome work guys, and an amazing car.
I think that colour is called Home on Th'Orange
Great video! I enjoyed this. Always wanted a P76.
I noticed the dash pulled apart and starting it with a screwdriver in the switch. Not many people know to start a manual p76 you put it in reverse and with foot on clutch it will crank over. If it not in reverse it will not crank.
Need an episode 3 to see it on the highway. You have to at least put the 44 gallon drum in the boot ! Cool machine.
Well done gents!
Would have been useful to contact a P76 Club (really easy to find) would have saved you a lot of grief on the oil pressure and some of your other bits - the fix is to take the oil pump lower housing off and stuffing it full with petroleum jelly, put it back together instant oil pressure.
It's not too unusual for those Rover-based V8 engines not to have enough oil pressure on cranking to put the warning light out. Mostly they'll still have plenty enough oil pressure not to damage the engine, just not enough to satisfy the pressure switch, which can also be an issue on these engines, they weren't great quality and after sitting for so long they can be disinclined to work properly. A friend's Range-Rover, with freshly-rebuilt V8, won't put the oil pressure warning light out at 2,000 revs with 40psi oil pressure, which is a bit annoying for him as it was a proper new-old stock part and considerably more expensive than an aftermarket replacement part would have been. The joys of British Leyland...
@@gosportjamie Note that many subsequent generations of American Buick V8's had that same oil pump design flaw; due in no small part being the 215 was developed by Buick, before Rover bought the tooling, etc.
No Part 3?
Best to replace the 2 barrel Stromberg for a 2 barrel Carter, a much better carbie & it’s a straight swap. Use one from a wrecker that’s off a 265 Chrysler Hemi 6 & the jetting will be virtually spot on.
I love your Scorpion shirt. Go mitsi.
Don’t forget the SQ-36
I was thinking the same. I have an unopened bottle and a very well used P76
Btw it’s not hard to swap over Falcon XF rear discs. From memory 2 little spacers need to be made to mount the axles & a new proportioning valve is needed
I had the privilege of owning 2 P76's Super V8's in the early 80's, a manual and an automatic. Both great cars with their responsive handeling and alloy V8, however my first, the manual with the 4sp Borg Warner single rail and back yard 500 Holley carburetor upgrade, is the car that evokes my nostalgia! In spite of its 'bulbous' rear end styling, the major downside for this model was the known common rust points and the poor quality interior trim! They just fell to bits over time!
The ignition light and oil lights are a bit lazy and doesn't normally go off till the engine has started and going.
We used to call them P38s in New Zealand, you could put a 44 gallon drum in the boot!
@ the 6:55 mark Now thats a nifty idea put a strong magnets so that the bolts you take out will sit stuck into a bowl. :)
Fugly....but they were a pretty impressive ride and comfort in their day ..
Great videos guys
in 1980 i nearly brought one of those, it was a V8 4 speed. the only thing that i didn't like about it was the color.
Smokin it up on the grass as well, hahaha.
And now - Pt 2! :)
Great car, sometimes the starter motor is not enough to bring oil pressure up
Hey guys, my father had a P76 the same colour in Temnant Creek. Do you know who owned this one?
Is there more work to be done on "Bluey", or is that it? :)
Ryco filters, the filters that almost destroyed many engines. Saying that what a beautiful car.
just looking at layland never seen one before not in scotland anay way
That was a great donk, the aluminium 4.4, but the borg warner gear shift lever and top loading mechanism was poorly designed.
That's a lot of oil smoke belching out the back. Hopefully it's just sticky rings and will clear up with a bit of use. Can't imagine it being a worn out donk, given the low mileage - but I do remember Leyland build quality in the day. :-P
It was the diesel burning off
What i would like to know is this most mechanics use a lot of air tools and power tools these days yet they still charge like a wounded bull, its should be cheaper, due to the less time it takes to do a job, compared to the old days of using just your normal rachchet tools etc. :)
7071t6 Possibly charge you more these days due to the cost electricity to run the compressor and the insurance of the workshop. Someone’s gotta pay it, may as well be the customer! 🛠
I agree, but less time is less money ? please explain this for me ?
7071t6 Where did I say that?
@@jamesmcgowen1769 I said it, meaning that the mechanics spend less time doing most work, yet charge the same, get it ? But in saying this if they have to deal with workers and insurance and all the main aspects of running a business, i get it, but those aspects really have not changed, its gone up with inflation, so better tools used and much less time to do all the every day main servicing items still charge way too much get it cheers :)
It used to cost my boss $200/hr just to have the doors open.
Mechanic shops are allowed to charge "book time" (the time the manufacturer says the repair/procedure should take). Only dealers charge book time. Independents are charging far less. If the mechanic can do the job faster than book time (that's normal most of the time) that's a bonus for that shop. You're not paying full price at an independent workshop (cheaper hourly rate and less hours) anyway so...
You want it done cheaper? ... do it yourself.
Nobody does this sort of thing in the U.K. any more. We're all driving front-wheel-drive cars now, with everything electronically-controlled. The number of people who know how to clean-up and get a car going like this is getting less and less. I hope that the Australians can continue to enjoy motoring for a while longer. In the U.k. automobiles have become soulless, cossetted, tame, street-cruisers; good for 100+ mph in a straight line, with only low-profile, stiffened-suspension, power-steered, negative-scrub-offset, cornering ability, no real handling characteristics to speak-of and viciously unforgiving break-away once the limit of adhesion is reached. U.K. drivers are more interested in the auxiliary driving lights and the sound system than they are in the cars' capabilities and the engineering.
Some of us still remember (and a very few of us have seen) the Holden HSV, the car that could see-off a Mercedes V8. It wasn't just the power that made that car great, it was the handling and braking, too.
I noticed there was no mention of the condition of the brakes, yet happily doing a skid,,,,, tch tch tch
The V8 model had the rover engine
No it was a different motor, it wasn't the 3.5l Rover.
It was based on the Rover 3.5L, but extensively further developed for the P76, and manufactured in Australia as I understand it.
One of the big problems with car was it's looks, it was butt ugly with totally wrong golden ratio.
I'd actually tend to disagree ... the looks have grown on me. If you see them lowered, they look pretty cool. I'd admit the rear end does look a bit weird. Overall, a few styling tweaks would have been all that were needed.
Ian Godfrey agree - I've never seen one of these done up properly - it's hard to judge a 70's car's looks with skinny wheels and 6 inches of space between the tyre and the edge of the wheel arch (think XA/XB/XC Falcon hardtop - even they look crappy with factory wheels). If this thing had a 10" wide version of those jellybean mags on the back (with at least 275 tyres) and 8" inch wide on the front, and take at least 1" out of the front suspension, I think it would look very cool (fussy rear-end styling notwithstanding)
@@artfuldoj4005 there's a pretty cool plum purple p76 street machine on the net somewhere.
@@iangodfrey4518 thanks yes found that one - that's the right idea (altho I'm not overly keen on their taste in wheels, body mods etc. - but did find this old link from back in the day where the hoon has got the look pretty right in my opinion: th-cam.com/video/n7WtpsJamb4/w-d-xo.html
I heard that the body and running gear were brought together a bit later than ideal in the development phase, and they just had to grin and bear it for the first year or two. Of course, that year or two were all they got, controversially.
Only the details are off in my opinion. Have a look online at one of these side-on compared to the 1973 kingswood, falcon and valiant... it was a 90’s car with 70’s clothes on!
They were right, this thing is ugly.