Lot 03: 1954 Austin A40 Somerset Saloon

Descended from the A40 Devon, the Austin A40 Somerset was built between 1952 and 1954. Mechanically almost identical to its predecessor but now with fully hydraulic brakes, the Somerset retained a separate chassis beneath its restyled four-door exterior. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, with a semi-elliptically-sprung live axle at the rear. The 1,200cc A-Series engine drove via a four-speed column-change gearbox, and with 42bhp on tap the Somerset could better 60mph. Leather upholstery was a feature of the interior, while the separate front seats could be arranged as a bench to accommodate three up front. This example was sold to the BMIHT’s predecessor in 1976 by a Mr W Leworthy and is described as ‘running but requiring a complete body and chassis overhaul’. An old-style logbook and some recently expired MoTs/tax discs (most recent 2006) are offered with the car, which comes also with Swansea V5.