Australian Design Rules

MORRIS 1300–1500–NOMAD


	Development History	Outback Marathon	Design Rules	Production Statistics

While the Morris 1500 series was being developed, a set of rules was being formulated. This set of rules became known as "The Australian Design Rules" for motor vehicles.

The purpose of these rules was to define the minimum standards for specifications and requirements of vehicles sold in Australia.

They became Law in January 1969 - 6 months before the Morris 1300/1500 series was released and many of the design features and changes incorporated into it are most likely due to the need for legal compliance with these rules rather than consumer demand, market competition or to improve appearance.

Exterior door handle

For example, the interior and exterior door handles and the door locking mechanism probably would all have been inherited from the Morris 1100 if ADR 2 had not ruled out exterior push buttons and combined lock & release interior door handles.

ADR 2 also required the door latch and striker mechanisms to resist accidental opening in the event of an accident.

Despite not being required until 1971, the extensive changes to the door controls were introduced from the outset in 1969.

heater demister controls Similarly, an electric booster fan was fitted to the heater/demister system for 1971 - presumably to satisfy ADR 15.

ADR 12 is the reason that chromed wiper arms were replaced with satin-finish ones before black became the norm.

Jan 69	ADR 4 - Seat Belts. Requirements for seatbelts for all adult seating positions to restrain vehicle occupants under impact conditions. Specifies the type of belt, material properties and buckle design features. Compliance with Australian Standards is necessary but not sufficient proof of compliance with this design rule.
Jan 69	ADR 5A - Seat Belt Anchorages. Requirements for seat belt anchorage points to ensure that seat belt assemblies are securely fixed to the vehicle structure in specified areas and provide a safe and comfortable restraint system.
Jan 70	ADR 7 - Hydraulic Brake Hoses. Specifies minimum standards of performance and durability for flexible hoses and end fittings in hydraulic brake systems to reduce risk of failure. Hose assemblies marked 'SAE J 1401' are acceptable.
July 70	ADR 20 - Safety Rims. Specifies that wheel rims on passenger cars will retain a deflated tyre in the event of sudden loss of pressure as in a blow-out.
Jan 71	ADR 2 - Door Latches and Hinges. Side door latch and striker assemblies and hinges that are able to resist accidental opening through crash impact or distortion. When locked by controls inside the vehicle, outside door handles must be inoperative. When locked, regardless of operation of other child-proof locking systems, if fitted, the rear doors must not open by movement of the inner door handle. There must also be a fully latched and a secondary latched position.
	ADR 3 - Seat Anchorages. Requirements for seats, their attachment assemblies and installation to reduce failure in crashes. Hinged or folding seats must be self-locking with the lock release within reach of the seat occupant or any other person seated immediately behind the seat. ADR 3A specifies additional requirements for seats intended to be fitted with child restraints.
	ADR 10A - Steering Columns. Requires that steering wheel and column assemblies must collapse under specified forces to reduce injuries to drivers on impact and limits the horizontal intrusion of the steering column into the cabin.
	ADR 15 - Demisting of Windscreens. Specifies requirements for demisting equipment to maintain the driver's forward vision clear of mist.
July 71	ADR 8 - Safety Glass. Requires glass in motor vehicle windscreens, windows and interior partitions to be of an automotive safety type such as toughened or laminated (and be so marked). Windscreens must be clear glass and transmit at least 75% of visible light in the primary vision area. Tinted bands are permissible outside this area.
Jan 72	ADR 1 - Reversing Signal Lamps. Lamps that are switched on automatically whenever reverse gear is selected and the ignition is on to signal the driver's intention to reverse and to aid the driver in reversing manoeuvres at night. These lamps must only operate when the vehicle is in reverse gear and must be amber or white.
	ADR 14 - Rear Vision Mirrors. Defines requirements for the type, location, field of view, reflecting capabilities and mounting details of rear vision mirrors. The internal and right-hand side external mirrors required under this ADR must be flat.
	ADR 9 - Automatic Transmission Controls. Repealed. However, the requirements for automatic transmission controls are now in ADR 42 which includes the requirement that the engine of a vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission must not be capable of being started in any forward or reverse gear.
	ADR 11 - Internal Sun Visors. If fitted, sun visors must be suitably padded and without dangerous projections or noticeable internal frames in order to reduce head injury on impact with the visor or panel work or windscreen glass behind it.
	ADR 21 - Instrument Panels. Provides for instrument panels to be suitably padded and free of any sharp projections and edges to reduce head injury on impact.
Jan 73	ADR 6 - Direction Turn Signal Lamps. Specifies flashing amber lamps at front and rear with specified levels of brightness and fields of view and readily distinguishable to warn other road users of the driver's intention to turn to the right or left.
	ADR 12 - Glare Reduction in Field of View. Requires a low reflective finish on windscreen wiper arms and blades, interior windscreen mouldings, horn rings and steering wheel components. interior rear vision mirror frames and mountings, steering column mounted control lever and gear selection quadrants to minimise glare from these features in the driver's field of view.
	ADR 16 - Windscreen Wipers and Washers. Wipers to have two operating speeds and be capable of wiping defined areas of the windscreen, with washers able to supply sufficient fluid to the wipers over ten wiping cycles.