The replacement for the Austin Allegro started in 1975, and the first drawings made by Ian Beech under the direction of David Bache were put before the Leyland board in 1976. A booted version of the LM10 was spun off into a separate LM11 project to arrive as the Austin Montego in Spring 1984. The smaller engined Montego was given the A-plus 1275cc engine already slated for the Austin Metro. The larger-engined Montegos were given a development of the O-series engine called the S-series for the 1600, the 2-litre O-series unit. Both Austin and MG badged models were available from launch, and a new Montego estate car designed by Harris Mann soon joined the line up. Production ended in 1994, and presses were sold off to China.