Probably one reason BMC didn't put it into production would have been the 1800 hadn't been amortised at all, particularly with its relatively slow sales. Issigonis would have hated it with its long frontal overhang. This article appeared in one of BMC's own house magazines, and I found it interesting enough to reproduce the lot. This was printed in January 1968, just before the merger with Leyland, and I'll bet that put the kibosh on any thought of production as it might have encroached on Triumph. If the Austin Maxi wasn't as advanced as it was for production, it may have filled the hatchback slot. Bad timing all round! Matchbox also saw fit to make one in their Superfast Series.