Vehicle and Exhaust System Overview

The 1977 Austin Princess requires specific exhaust configurations depending on the engine variant. The systems are not interchangeable between the two primary engine types:

  • 1800cc B-Series (4-cylinder): Utilizes a standard single-downpipe arrangement.
  • 2200cc E6-Series (6-cylinder): Features a more complex manifold and a twin-downpipe arrangement.

Common Exhaust Components


  • Front Downpipe
  • Center Silencer/Resonator
  • Rear Link Pipe
  • Rear Silencer (Muffler)

While original mild steel systems are increasingly rare, many owners opt for Quality Reproduction Stainless Steel systems for longevity and improved exhaust notes.

Sourcing Recommendations

  • eBay: A primary source for New Old Stock (NOS) mild steel sections or complete stainless systems.
* Search eBay for Austin Princess Exhaust Parts
  • David Manners (BMC/BL Specialists): Specialists in Leyland-era vehicles. They typically stock or can source specific hangers and gaskets.
* Search David Manners for Austin Princess parts
  • Rimmer Bros: Maintains a catalog for Leyland-era cars including the Austin Princess.
* Rimmer Bros

Safety and Fitment Notes

  • Gaskets and Hangers: Always replace the manifold-to-downpipe gasket and rubber hangers during installation. Reusing old components often leads to exhaust leaks or "knocking" against the chassis.
  • Fitment Challenges: The Princess features a unique floor pan shape. Lower-quality Pattern Parts (cheap copies) are known to hang too low or interfere with the rear subframe.
  • Custom Fabrication: If high-quality reproduction parts are unavailable, a custom stainless steel exhaust fabricator (such as Powerflow) can build a system directly onto the vehicle to ensure proper clearance.
Safety Warning: A leaking exhaust system is a significant hazard. Carbon monoxide can enter the cabin through aged floor bungs or window seals. Ensure the manifold-to-downpipe connection is 100% gas-tight to prevent poisoning.