Austin
A40 Somerset Saloon
The A40 Somerset
was announced yearly in 1952 basically a re-bodied A40 Devon using
the same basic mechanical components. Its appearance carried over
the rather bulbous but smaller version of the A70 Hereford.
Although it had a slightly more powerful engine than the Devon, it
was still under-powered if fully loaded. For seven pounds you could
have a sliding roof as a factory option.
The 2 Millionth car produced at the Longbridge plant was a A40
Somerset.
In 1954 the
range was dropped, to be replaced by the all new square look of the
A40/50 Cambridge
Austin
A40 Somerset Saloon
A40
Somerset Facia
Date
when launched 1952 Discontinued in 1954
Total produced 166,063 Saloons & 7,243 Coupe
Engine
1200 cc 42 bhp at 4,500 rpm Max torque 58lbs/ft at 2,400
rpm
Length
13ft 3.5ins Width 5ft 3ins Height 5ft 4ins
Wheel
Base 7ft 8.5ins Track front 4ft 0.1ins rear 4ft 2ins
Price ex Works
April 1952 £727 Nov 1953 £637
2
Millionth car coming off the line CAB1
(1953)
A40
Somerset Coupe
Austin
A40 Somerset Coupe 2 dr
It was in
September 1952 that the Coupe version was announced. This was a two
door version so as to give the body more strength. Although
assembled at Longbridge the body was actually built by Carbodies of
Coventry. The Hood could be positioned in closed, fully down or the
front part could be rolled back to the 'B' post in the "de Ville'
position.
At the 1953 Motor Show both the saloon and coupe had minor
revisions along with a price reduction of £25.
Date
when launched Sept 1952 Discontinued in 1954
Engine
1200 cc 42 bhp at 4,500 rpm Max torque 58lbs/ft at 2400 rpm
Length 13ft 3.5ins Width 5ft 3ins Height 5ft 2.5ins
Wheel Base 7ft 8.5ins Track front 4ft 0.1ins rear 4ft 2ins
Price ex Works
Oct 1952 £774 Nov 1953 £679
As
can been seen the Coupe was aimed at the export market
LHD
If
you own a A40 Somerset please send me pictures and a short history
on the vehicle so that I may add it to the site.