Austin A110/120 -
125/135
Austin A110
Sherline
Austin A125
Sheerline
Design of the Sheerline
began in 1942, Leonard Lord wanted a traditional British look, the
vehicle was amined at giving a luxurious car in the vogue of a
Rolls-Royce or Bentley with vertical grille, large and impressive
headlights; distinctive knife-edge styling with separate but
flowing wings and traditionally mounted side lights. The interior
also needed to give a feel of opulence with walnut veneer, leather
upholstery and luxury carpets.
Wooden
Mock-Up
This all came to fruition
in 1947 when the Austin A110 Sheerline was annoounced. But only 12
were actually made when a decision was made to increase the engine
size from 3460 cc to 3993 The model which was produced at
Longbridge remained in production till 1954. It could also be
purchased in chassis form as a Hearse or Ambulance. The year before
1946 Vanden Plas a coach building company who were based in
Kingsbury London had been bought by the Austin Motor Company. So
when the Sheerline was launched as a A125 the Vandan Plas version
was called the Austin A135 Princess Mk I using the same chassis and
running gear as the Sheerline it had a streamline body with the
headlamps blending into the wings.
Model
(A110)
Date when launched
1947
Total produced 12
Engine
3,460cc Power RAC rating 26.9hp.
Length 15ft 11.5ins Width 6ft 1ins Height 5ft 7ins
Wheelbase 9ft 11.3ins Track front 4ft 10ins rear 5ft 0ins
Price ex Works Aug 1947 £1277
Austin A125
Ambulance
Model A125
Sheerline
Date when launched 1947
Discontinued in 1954
Total produced 11,605
including chassis for use with other bodies
Engine 3995cc 130bhp at
3,700 rpm Max torque 150 lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Length 15ft 11.5ins Width
6ft 1ins Height 5ft 7ins
Wheelbase 9ft 11.3ins Track front 4ft 10ins rear 5ft
0ins
Price ex Works September
1948 £1277 Suitcases £21
Colours in 1948 for A125
& A135 . . Metallic Grey with Grey
upholstery.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Portland Grey with Beige
upholstery.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Black with Beige
upholstery.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Or to Order
In 1950 the Austin A135
Princess Mk II was announced and was available as a saloon on the
normal chassis with a limousine on a long wheelbase chassis. The Mk
III version arrived in 1953 and had a more flowing radiator
grill.
Sheerline in Olympia,
Washington, USA
1952 Austin Sheerline New
Zealand
Sheerline
Replacement
Leonard Lord decided that in early 1950s
Austin should look at a replacement for the Sheerline. So to try
and keep the cost down as you can see it used the doors from the
Somerset-Hereford, along with other components. I'm sure that if
this replacement had been given the go ahead, sales of the
Sheerline would have dried up.
Instead Vanden Plas were ask to
design an all new body to replace the ageing Sheerline using the
long wheelbase chassis. It was unveiled at the Earls Court motor
show later that year, and became known as the Austin Princess
4-Litre. In 1956 the Mk IV was announced, but in August 1957 the
Austin name was dropped and it became known as the Princess
4-Litre. Not long after it was once again renamed the Vanden Plas
4-litre which continued in production until 1959.
__________________
A135 Princess
MkIII
Model A135 Princess MkII,
MkIII, MkIV versions
Date when launched 1950
Discontinued in 1959
Total produced MkII 760
MkIII 350 MkIV 200 SWB
Total production for all
versions of the Princess including Chassis only was 3,515
Engine 3995 cc 130bhp at 3,700rpm Max torque 212lbs/ft at 2,200
rpm
Length 16ft 4.5ins Width
6ft 2.5ins Height 5ft 6ins
Wheelbase 9ft 11.3ins Track front 4ft 10ins rear 5ft 0 ins
Price ex Works
Nov 1953 Mk III £2,183
Feb 1957 MkIV LWB Saloon £3,376
Austin 135 Princess
long-wheelbase Limo
Princess MkIV 4-litre LWB
Date when launched 1952
Discontinued in 1968
Total produced see above on
SWB
Engine 3995 cc 120 bhp at
4,000 rpm Max torque 185 lbs/ft at 2,000 rpm
Length 17ft 11ins Width 6ft
2.5ins Height 5ft 10ins
Wheelbase 11ft 0ins Track front 4ft 10.5ins rear 5ft 2.5ins
Touring Limousine Auto gearbox
Price ex Works Feb 1957 £3,541incl £1181 Purchase
Tax
Princess Mk
IV
