Austin A40 Somerset
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Austin A40 Somerset | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1952-1954 173,306 |
| Predecessor | Austin A40 Devon/Dorset |
| Successor | Austin A40 Cambridge |
| Class | midsize car |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon 2-door convertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 1.2 L I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 4 speed manual - synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and top |
| Wheelbase | 92 in (2337 mm)[1] |
| Length | 158.5 in (4026 mm)[1] |
| Width | 63 in (1600 mm)[1] |
| Height | 62.5 in (1588 mm)[2] |
| Curb weight | 2232lb |
- See Austin A40 for other A40 models.
The A40 Somerset was an automobile sold by the Austin Motor Company from 1952 until 1954. It replaced the A40 Devon and was quite similar to that body-on-frame car, including using the same 1.2 L straight-4 pushrod engine. The engine was updated to produce 42 hp (31 kW)[2], however giving the car a top speed of 69 mph (111 km/h).
The Somerset featured an updated "Transatlantic" body style designed for export and resembled the larger A70 Hereford. It had a bench front seat and column mounted gear change. The Somerset was initially only a 4-door saloon, though a 3-passenger 2-door convertible model made by Carbodies of Coventry was also sold. The 2 door and convertible differed from the 4 door cars in having separate front seats that folded forwards to give access to the rear.
Over 173,000 were sold before the Somerset was replaced by the A40 Cambridge in 1954. 7243 of them were convertibles [3]
A convertible version tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 had a top speed of 74 mph (119 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 28.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 30.1 miles per imperial gallon (9.38 L/100 km/25.1 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £705 including taxes. These figures were all obtained on the contemporary low octane fuel.[2]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b c "The Austin A40 Convertible Road Test" (September 2 1953). The Motor.
- ^ Robson, Graham (2006). A-Z British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge & Sons. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
