O'Hara's 1966 6/110 mkii
The 6/99 was introduced in 1959. It was similar in appearance to its smaller cousin, the four cylinder 15/60, but mechanically very different. Although the car appeared similar, not one body panel could be interchanged as the 6/99 was a larger car in every respect.
The car had coil independent front suspension, front and read anti roll bars, Lockheed front disc brakes. It was a unibody construction and had a very stiff structure but doors that closed tightly with the gentlest touch. As soon as you enter the car, you realize that you are getting into a car with the performance of a British sports car but with the added luxury of the finest British sedans. The most attractive feature of this combination is the relatively low cost of these vehicles today compared to Healys and Limos.
The car had an expensive leather interior and beautifully woodgrained dashboard and doorcappings. The transmission was available as a fully automatic DG Borg Warner automatic which is indestructible. Even though it is a bit clunky, its heavy cast iron construction has rarely let owners down. The intermediate gearhold makes climbing steep grades or overtaking at high speeds a worryless event even in modern traffic. It is almost impossible to lock up the Lockheed brakes but they provide an incredible stopping power. Tucked under the front left fender is a vacuum reservoir tank which allows the driver four full pumps of power brakes in case the engine stalls. The manual transmission was a three speed Porshe-type-synchromesh which was often backed up with a Borg Warner overdrive. The free wheeling action of the overdrive allowed the driver to obtain astonishing gas mileage for a car of this weight.
The 2912 cc engine was very similar to the Healy 100/6. It had twin SU carbs and its true power was not felt until the driver left city traffic and cruised with ease on the highway.
BMC "C" SERIES ENGINE
6/110: (click for picture)
The 6/110 mki was identical in appearance to the 6/99 but had some mechanical upgrades. The engine was a higher compression providing more horsepower, the gear change for the manual box was change to the floor from the column. The rear suspension had the added stablilty of a telescopic shock in addition to the two lever shocks. The wheelbase was lengthened by two inches by moving the axle back on the spring leaves, allowing more room in the passenger compartment. Power steering and air conditionning were availble as option.
The 6/110mkii introduced in 1964 had 13 inch tires istead of the 14 inch tires to provide a lower center of gravity and to give a slightly sleeker look. The three speed transmission was replaced with a four speed Borg Warner unit with overdrive as an option. The automatic transmission was now a Borg Warner model 35 unit was aluminum. The shifts were now smoother but at the expense of reliability and durability. The DG always seems to give a more "positive lock" when I drive them. The rear suspension was now two telescopic shocks in order to give this luxury car a softer ride.
13,108 6/99 cars were built between 1959 and 1961. Between 1961 and 1964, 10,800 6/110 mkis were produced. 13,301, 6/110mkiis were built between 1964 and 1968. The 6/110s were also built in New Zealand and South Africa.