Middy's Leyland P76 Street Machine
The Middy's P76 has undergone a full ground up restoration. We bring you the fully loaded, fire breathing 2011 version Middy's Leyland P76...
In keeping with Middy's tradition of supporting Australian industry and endeavour, director Hugh Middendorp purchased Leyland P76's for use as Sales Rep's Cars in the mid 1970's. Vehicle features including massive boot storage made the car's ideal for this purpose. The vehicles came and went, and indeed the fuel crisis of the late 1970's and some infamous build quality issues saw the P76 meet it's untimely demise after only a couple of years. However Its uniqueness has seen it establish a place for itself in Australia's automotive history and P76's are now rare and increasingly collectible.
The Leyland P76 has its roots as one of the few 100% Australian designed and manufactured vehicles, featuring amongst many other technical innovations an all alloy V8 engine option, and the ability to fit a 44 gallon drum in its boot. When launched in 1973 the P76 won Wheels car of the Year. The P76 was manufactured in Sydney and knock down kits were exported for sale to NZ.
In Sept 1995 director Nicholas Middendorp was purchasing company vehicles when a P76 was spotted in the auction house. A touch of nostalgia was triggered by the lot vehicle being pink, and memories of the 70's Middy's fleet resulted in the purchase of one slightly used P76 for the sum of $1,400. A semi restoration was undertaken and the vehicle was decked out in Middy's livery and used for promotional purposes. It appeared frequently at promotional events throughout this period, but over the years signs of increasing wear and tear became evident.
Hence it was resolved in 2007 to undertake a full nuts and bolts ground up restoration and customisation. Now, after a three year project... we bring you the fully loaded, fire breathing 2011 version Middy's P76.... resplendent with airbrushed design and custom paintwork. Middy's are proud to have bought this specimen back to life as a sparkling customised Street Machine.
For details of the P76 touring schedule at a branch or event near you click here.
