£2650 £1650

Austin A40 – GVY899 – Somerset – 1952; reg GVY 899. Engine 1200cc, 4 door. Image at bottom of page from newspaper found in the car! With log book & keys.

Austin A40 – GVY899 features an updated “Transatlantic” body style with flowing lines as distinct from the Devon’s bulky looking body. Resembling the larger Austin A70 Hereford, its design was aimed at improving export sales, particularly to America. Initially offered as only a 4-door saloon, a 3-passenger 2-door convertible, of the same body style was introduced in late 1952. The convertible replaced the earlier Austin A40 Dorset.

The Austin A40 Somerset saloon’s reputation for being somewhat slow and lumbering to drive is not wholly deserved. It had to endure poor-quality petrol supplies in 1952, and in consequence had retarded ignition settings to tolerate the low octane rating of the fuels available to avoid the engine knocking or ‘pinking’ condition that was well known in those times. In fact, British Motor Corporation later produced a kit to improve the performance and fuel consumption of these cars once premium fuel supplies resumed under the popular petrol brands. This kit comprised a replacement distributor and an optional cylinder head gasket that was thinner and therefore raised the compression slightly from the standard 7.2:1.

More information on the Austin A40 Somerset can be found here.

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