Austin A40 Somerset
| Produced: |
1952-1954, 173306 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,4 doors,4 seats Convertible,2 doors,4 seats |
In 1952 Austin launched a facelift A40 to replace the ageing Devon which first appeared in 1947, the new car was named the A40 Somerset, carrying on with the counties name theme. The new Somerset was really little more than a restyled Devon, albeit with slightly more power coming from the same A40 1200cc engine.
The Somerset shared its curvy, transatlantic body shape with the much larger A70 Hereford, both cars looked visually pleasing and well proportioned. Eight months after the saloon appeared, Austin launched an elegant Somerset 3 position, Convertible which sold in relatively small numbers.
Inside the Somerset had a steering column change, front bench seat and an umbrella handbrake lever, all adding to the American theme. Austin also introduced a slightly souped up version of the somerset in 1953. It had better accelaration, two tone body colours and an upgraded interior but this car was sold in very small numbers. Despite the Somerset's leisurely performance it managed to sell well during its short production run, which ended in 1954 with the launch of the all new A40 Cambridge.
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1200cc | 4 OHV | 65.48mm x 89mm | 7.2 |
| Type | Gears | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | 4 |
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm | Independent/Coil Springs | Beam axle/Semi-elliptic leaf springs |
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 mph | 36.6 s | 42 bhp 4300 |
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Classic Cars February 2002 pg 97 |
97 |
 |
|
| Publication | Classic Cars February 2002 | |||
| Fifties Saloon Racers. We test four hopefuls set to scrap it out in a new Fifties saloon car racing series: Jaguar MkV11, Sunbeam Rapier, Austin A40 and Morris Minor. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Datafile - Austin A40 Somerset |
132 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics March 2000 | |||
| Buyers Datafile - Austin A40 Somerset. | ||||
| Article |
In Sheep's Clothing |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly May 2008 | |||
| In Sheep's Clothing- Derek Grayshon's Austin looks original and harmless enough, but it packs a surprising punch... | ||||
| Article |
Classic Car Weekly 28 August 2002 pg 20 |
20 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 28 August 2002 | |||
| Buying Power. Austin A40. Austin's A40 Farina was never as popular as its Mini and 1100 stablemates, but the world's first small hatchback makes a very usable classic, reckons Richard Gunn, assuming you can live with the rust. | ||||
