Austin A40 Somerset
Saloon
The A40 Somerset was announced 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
Engine 1200cc OHV ‘B’ series
Four speed gearbox
Austin A40
Somerset Saloon
A40 Somerset
Chassis
'B' series 1200cc
engine
A40 Somerset Interior
A40 Somerset Facia
Boot space is increased in
this position
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
Wheelbase 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
26 November 1953
A40 Somerset Coupe
A40 Coupe with the Hood
Up
Chassis showing the body mounting
points
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
Wheelbase 7ft 8.5ins Track front 4ft 0.1ins rear 4ft 2ins
Price ex Works
Oct 1952 £774 Nov 1953 £679
A total of 7423 were produced