A Cambridge Postcard
A "T" series MG Postcard
A Sprite Postcard (Spridgit)
Advertising Poster for Cambridge
Advertising Poster for Cambridge
Austin was founded in 1905 by Herbert Austin. In true British tradition
he would go on to be Sir Herbert. If anything his cars were known to be
rugged and reliable, and totally uninspiring. The most popular vehicle manufactured
was the Austin Seven (you got it seven
horsepower). In 1939 the 8HP version was introduced. It lasted intil 1947.
10HP version came in 1939 and paralleled the 8HP until 1947. At the same
time as the 10HP version a 12HP version was also available. As well a new
Austin built 16HP motor was available in this and a station wagon. Noteable
at this point was the intoduction of rod operated brakes, sliding roof and
openable windscreen. Leather seats became a standard.
The year 1947 saw the introduction of car names and a new model numbering
system. The A40 Dorset was a 4 door
saloon, and the Devon was the 2 door
equivalent. Coil springs, independant front suspension and a standard Overhead
Valve engine were introduced. As well the brakes were of a hydro mechanical
design. This design was probably the worst fault introduced. For business
use vans and pickups were made.
Austin also intoduced the Luxury Car with the A125 Sheerline
and the A135 Princess. These had a larger
engine, leather, wood and an absolute lack of any endearing character!
Back in the real world (1948) of post war auto boom the A70 Hampshire
was introduced. The following year the A90 Atlantic
with it's cyclops headlight came along. It was also introduced as a convertible.
The Atlantic was aimed directly at the US market and failed miserably (in
the writers opinion).
The fifties brought a whole upgrade of the line. The A40 Sports Convertable
arrived. It had a body by Jensen Coachworks.
The A70 Hereford came along with all
hydraulic brakes, a convertable and a "Woody" wagon. The A30 was
Austin's answer to the Morris Minor.
It actually eventually shared the mechanicals with Morris as a matter of
fact. Watch this unit in a crosswind, it was usually all over the road.
A40 came out as the Somerset. It was
basically a Hereford with hydraulic brakes.
The Cambridge series in my opinion is
a special breed. They made an A40, A50, and A60 version. All were 4 door.
Later bodies in the 60 were designed by Pininfarina.
An A40 Farina actually was built from 1958 to 67. The Cambridges were much
sought after as taxies (even though Austin also made taxies) for "country"
use.
Westminster A90, A95 and A105 in 1954 brought a 6 cylinder engine and automatic
transmission. A35 was a facelifted A30 and was brought out in 1956 in both
Saloon and Countryman version. The Princess IV
was called a "Sports Saloon" and was a luxury tourer. It was terribly
fast and equally thirsty...
Wolseley came into the act in the 60's,
when the bodies were gussied up and presented under the Wolseley banner.
They had leather and wood where Austin had vinyl and paint.
From here the line went to a mainly front wheel drive format. As Austin
and Morris were now one big happy family it was pretty hard to tell them
apart. The most memorable cars of this era are the Morris Mini which were
basically the same in format between the two manufacturers.
Of course Austin made the memorable Austin Healey.
The MG, Midget and Sprite
were turned out of the combined factory. Today MG is still making a two
seater. It is actually made by the Rover Works and is only available in
UK and Europe.
Here are some photographs of British based cars and some of the advertising.
I really envy the British two and 3 tone color schemes. So much so that
the last restoration done at my place was a green and ivory Cambridge. I'll
post pictures when all the chrome is back on.