Austin Westminster
Austin Westminster | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Austin (BMC) |
Production | 1954–1968 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Executive car |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Austin A70 Hereford |
Successor | Austin 3-Litre |
The Austin Westminster series are large
The Westminster name was previously used by the Austin Motor Company in the 1930s for a four light version of the
A90
A90 | |
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I6 | |
Transmission | 4-speed manual overdrive optional from 1955 |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 104 in (2,642 mm)[2] |
Length | 170 in (4,318 mm)[2] |
Width | 64 in (1,626 mm)[2] |
Height | 63.25 in (1,607 mm)[3] |
The A90 Six Westminster was introduced at the 1954
The interior, with leather trim on the de luxe version and PVC on the standard model, has a split bench front seat arrangement, although individually adjustable, which if necessary could seat three people abreast. When only two are carried there are, on the de luxe model, fold down centre armrests at the side of each seat. The de luxe model also has a central fold down armrest in the rear. The handbrake control is under the dash on the right hand side of the steering column which also carries the gear change lever. A heater is fitted as standard on the de luxe model but optional on the standard version. The Austin Motor Company also produced a brochure for an A90 Six Westminster police car which featured a floor gearchange.
The British
The A90 designation had previously been carried by the 1948–52
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A90 Westminster
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'cow hips' tail
A95/A105
A95/A105 | |
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I6 | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 104 in (2,642 mm) 106 in (2,692 mm) from May 1956[2] |
Length | 170 in (4,318 mm) 181 in (4,597 mm) from May 1956[2] |
Width | 64 in (1,626 mm)[2] |
Height | 61 in (1,549 mm)[5] |
In May 1956, for a brief period only, a derivative of the A90 Six Westminster was announced which was a short boot version of the A105 and had the twin SU carburettor/102 hp version of the 2.6-litre C series engine with overdrive as standard. In October 1956 the A105 received the longer wheelbase with overdrive as standard and automatic transmission as an option. Twin fog lights, heater and wheel trims were standard although a radio was still an option. Two tone paint and white wall tyres were introduced for visual effect. Very few short boot versions of the A105 were produced and they are now quite rare.
The A90 was updated for autumn 1956 as the A95. Along with more power, the A95 was longer and now offered an estate model. Overdrive and an automatic transmission were new as well, something of a novelty in British cars of the time.
Both the A95 and A105 were produced together until 1959. 28,065 A95s and 6,770 A105s were built.[4]
The Westminster name was dropped from the sales literature for the A95 and the A105 although, oddly, the drivers' handbooks still used the name Westminster to title the illustration of the saloon. The estate version was named Countryman. Nevertheless, most enthusiasts still refer to them as Westminsters.
A badge-engineered version of the A95 with different grille, trim, and badges and a bench front seat was assembled and sold in Australia as the Morris Marshal from 1957 until 1960.[6]
An A105 saloon with overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 96.3 mph (155.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 15.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.0 miles per imperial gallon (12.8 L/100 km; 18.3 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1109 including taxes.[5]
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A105 first model
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A105 'cow hips' model
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Austin A95
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Long boot for A95
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A105 revised
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Long boot A105
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Austin A105. Longer body from 1956
Austin A105 Vanden-Plas
The A105 was the first mass-produced Austin family car to be specially upgraded by coachbuilder Vanden Plas, following the success of the large A135 Austin Princess limousine. This was done after a personal request from Leonard Lord in 1957. Changes included significant new interior fittings, and a grey stripe bearing the "Princess" crown on the side of the body; most bodies were in sombre colours such as black or maroon.
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A105 with Vanden Plas treatment
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A105 V D P front
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V D P boot badging
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V D P looks like any A105
A99
A99 | |
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I6 | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 108 in (2,743 mm)[2] |
Length | 188 in (4,775 mm)[2] |
Width | 68 in (1,727 mm)[2] |
Height | 60 in (1,524 mm)[7] |
The A99 Westminster appeared in 1959 with new
An A99 saloon with automatic transmission was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1960 and they recorded a top speed of 98.1 mph (157.9 km/h), acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.9 seconds and a fuel consumption of 23.0 miles per imperial gallon (12.3 L/100 km; 19.2 mpg‑US). The test car cost £1219 including taxes. The manual car cost £1148.[7]
A specially trimmed A99 was sold as the
A110
A110 | |
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Borg Warner 3-speed automatic[8] | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 110 in (2,794 mm)[2][9] |
Length | 188 in (4,775 mm)[2] |
Width | 68 in (1,727 mm)[2] |
The final major update arrived in 1961 with the A110 Westminster. This version had an extended (by 2 in/51 mm) wheelbase, which allowed more space in the rear compartment as well as improving the roadholding, a floor-mounted gear lever. 13 in wheels were substituted in 1964's Mark II models. Wolseley produced a 6/110 version, and there was a Vanden Plas Princess Mark II with the C-Series engine, now uprated to 120 hp (89 kW). The same basic body was also used for a Rolls-Royce-engined Vanden Plas Princess, and the body even formed part of a prototype Bentley.
The Westminster range was finally replaced by the Austin 3-Litre in 1968. 26,105 A110s were built.[4]
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Austin A110 Westminster Mark II – the biggest "Farina" Austin
Scale models and die-cast
- Meccano Dinky Toys; No. 176 (production 1958–1963), Austin A105 Westminster, approximately O scale (1:44).[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Pedr Davis, The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, page 24
- ^ ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ The Motor. 6 April 1955.
- ^ ISBN 1-85960-671-7.
- ^ The Motor. 22 August 1956.
- ^ Dennis Harrison, Morris Marshal 1957–1960, Restored Cars No 91, March / April 1992, page 20
- ^ The Motor. 2 March 1960.
- Motor: 7. 22 October 1966.
- ^ Cardew, Basil (1966). Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. Beaverbrook Newspapers.
- ISBN 095093190X.
External links
- Austin Memories – History of Austin and Longbridge
- Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club – including advice for preservation of this vehicle