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The history of the A40 and A60, Austin 1100 as well as the Oxford
and, of course, Pinin Farina's role, if any, in designing these
cars seemed confusing after looking up and down the web !
Here are some comments from F. de Klerk (South Africa):
"Yes, the Austin numbering can be confusing.
The following models were designed by Pinin Farina:
- Austin A60/Cambridge (1500 & 1600cc), also found in Morris/Wolseley/Vandenplas trim, +/-1960's
- Austin A90/A110/Westminster (3.0Litre 6-cyl), also in Wolseley/Vandenplas trim.
- Austin A40 Farina (not the other A40's) 1000cc, 1959-1965.
Go to the A40 Farina homepage to have a look at this little car. It
looks like a miniature version of the Peugeot 404 station wagon.
Simon G Pininfarina (see his site for
an explanation on the name) Geoghegan adds:
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, which 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 trim. In 1948 the A70 Hampshire was introduced.
The following year the A90 Atlanticwith it's cyclops headlight came
along. It was also introduced as a convertible. The Atlantic was
aimed directly at the US market.
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.
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 1961. (From the website:
http://www.ryde.demon.co.uk/page1.htm
)"
Simon notes :
"There are some inaccuracies here. The A70 was a much bigger
car than the Somerset - though both had the same body shape (as
indeed did the tiny Austin A30.)
As each car was replaced, its "A" number grew. The A70
went to A80, A105, A110. The Austin A30 went to A35 (very similar)
and then to the A40 Farina. The A40 Somerset went to A50, A55, A60
Cambridge.
The A60 was almost identical to the A55, but as well as getting
a large engine - 1600 instead of 1500cc, Pininfarina reworked the
body as we now know it, but he had to use the A55 shell as a foundation.
The A60 also was produced as the MG Magnette MkIV, Morris Oxford
MkVI, Wolseley 16/60, Riley. There was no Vanden Plas version, or
any commercial vehicle versions (at least in Europe). Austin A60
Vans and Pickups were made for many years until the dawn of the
Morris Marina Van and Pickups in about 1973, but these use the pre-Pininfarina
body of the Austin A50 circa 1955 (depicted in the picture here).
There were Estate versions using a lift up rear window and a drop
down tailgate and they were produced as the Austin Cambridge Countryman
and the Morris Oxford Traveller. Some coachbuilders produced Hearse
vehicles by converting Estates. It is possible that Austin/Morris
commercials were made in Australia - they would resemble a Peugeot
404 pickup.
The Austin A40 Farina was, I think, a clean sheet design by Pininfarina.
It replaced the dimunitive "bubble" Austin A30/A35. In
original form it had a 998cc engine, as used by its 'brother' the
Morris Minor. But the Austin benefited from 10years of development
since the Morris Minor was born and was therefore a much more modern
car. Mechanically it was almost identical to the Austin-Healey Sprite
and MG Midgets and therefore handled a lot better than a Morris
Minor. In about 1963 the Austin A40 was facelifted (with full width
grille bars) and given the 1098cc engine at the same time as the
Morris Minor. A40 Farinas could be bought tin 2 versions, the saloon
and the Countryman. The saloon had a single drop down bootlid, whereas
the Countryman also had a lift up rear window. The A40 Countryman
is arguably one of the first ever Hatchback saloons - years ahead
of the Renault 16 and Austin Maxi designs. It did have a contemporary
rival in the shape of the Hillman Husky - a sort of shortened 2door
hatchback Hillman Minx." - Thanks Simon
He has also created a photo gallery at
http://photos.yahoo.com/redsimon2002
and also a website at:
http://www.redsimon.co.uk
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A40
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