Australian Cars Issue 46

COLLECT ALL THE LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC CARS

Immerse yourself in one of the most extraordinary and heartbreaking chapters in Australian automotive history with the Leyland Force 7 Coupe — a car that was never meant to be a rarity, but fate conspired to make it the rarest of them all.

In 1973, British Leyland announced its first unique, made-for-Australia model — the P76: a large, rear-drive saloon powered by a 2.6-litre inline six or a 4.4-litre version of Rover's Buick-derived V8, big and rugged and available in memorably punning colours such as Home On Th'Orange and Oh Fudge. But the car that truly fired the imagination was its coupe companion. Leyland's answer to Ford's GT Hardtop, Holden's Monaro GTS Coupe, and Chrysler's Valiant Charger R/T, the Force 7 was styled by the Italian design house Michelotti and promised to be something genuinely world-class — one of the first hatchbacks ever to be released in Australia, combining fastback elegance with everyday practicality. As an Australian first, Leyland specified the model with an all-alloy 4.4-litre V8, delivering 191 hp in a body weighing just 1,263 kg — a power-to-weight ratio that would have made it a formidable performer on Australian roads. By late 1973, 58 Force 7s had been built in preparation for a formal launch in February 1974 — painted, trimmed, and undergoing final tweaks, with Wheels magazine even preparing a feature story — but it was not to be. With Leyland's decision to close their Australian manufacturing plant, the Force 7 development was halted, and only ten Force 7Vs escaped the corporate crusher — making each surviving example one of the most precious relics of Australian automotive ambition ever built. It marked the last attempt by the British motor industry to design a car specifically for Australia.

This precise 1:43 scale replica captures the very essence of the legendary Leyland Force 7 Coupe — the car that almost was, and never should have been forgotten.

The Leyland Force 7 Coupe is meticulously reproduced in high-quality die-cast metal, with details faithful to the original that capture its distinctive Michelotti-styled fastback roofline, hatchback body, and bold period livery. Rubber tires and swiveling wheels add a touch of realism to this extraordinary model.

Each piece comes accompanied by a captivating magazine filled with articles from that era, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Australian automotive, sourced from the archives of the renowned publication Wheels.

Features:

• Faithfully reproduced model at 1:43 scale
• High-quality die-cast metal for exceptional durability
• Precise detailing for maximum authenticity — including the signature Force 7 Michelotti fastback coupe body and hatchback roofline
• Rubber tires and swiveling wheels for heightened realism

Relive one of the most remarkable what-ifs in Australian motoring history with this exceptional model. Add the Leyland Force 7 Coupe to your Australian Cars collection today!