Austin 1948

A40 Dorset / Devon  
Sixteen  
A125 Sheerline  
A135 Princess  
A70 Hampshire - new model in July
A90 Atlantic - new model in October (London)
Hire Car FL1 - new model
Taxicab FX3 - new model

Great Britain

 

A40 Devon and Dorset

wb: 7ft 8½in 4 cyl. ohv
1200 cc
40 bhp		  
Saloon 2-dr Dorset - discontinued
Saloon 4-dr Devon  
Van GV2 - March
Estate Countryman - September
Pick-up GOU2 - September

 

Austin A40 two-door Dorset, Model G2S2, and four-door Devon, Model GS2, Saloons superseded the earlier Eight, Ten and Twelve in October 1947, at £403 and £416 respectively. The Dorset was phased out during 1948. They have a 1200-cc (65.48 x 89 mm) 40-bhp (10.7 HP) OHV Four engine with four-speed gearbox, IFS with coil springs and Girling hydro-mechanical brakes. Wheelbase is 7 ft 8½ in and tyre size 5.00-16. In March 1948, a 10-cwt Van (GV2) derivative was added, followed by Countryman (GP2) and Pick-up (GOU2) modifications thereof in September.

A 40 in the USA

A 40 Devon

A 40 Dorset
 

Sixteen

wb: 8ft 8½in 4 cyl. ohv
2199 cc
58 bhp		  
Saloon 16  
Estate 16 - new model

 

 

A125 Sheerline

  wb: 6 cyl. ohv
3993 cc
125 bhp		  
Saloon 9ft 11¼in A125  

 


A125 Sheerline
 

A135 Princess

  wb: 6 cyl. ohv
3993 cc
135 bhp		  
Saloon 9ft 11¼in A135  

 

Austin A135 Princess, Model DS2, is mechanically similar to the A125 Sheerline, Model DS1, except for triple SU carburettors (v. single Stromberg) and higher final drive ratio. The main difference is that the £1277 Sheerline is entirely Austin-built, whereas the £2103 Princess had coachwork by Vanden Plas. Both have a 4-litre OHV Six engine and coil-spring IFS. The A125 and A135 are successors to a long line of pre-war Austin Twenties.
 

A70 Hampshire

wb: 8 ft 4 cyl. ohv
2199 cc
67 bhp		  
Saloon Hampshire  

 

A70 Hampshire introduced in mid 1948 as the logical successor to the 12 and 16 and basically a larger more powerful version of the Devon. Only 4" longer and most of the extra length taken up by the engine, giving a rather cramped interior. Engine is the 67 bhp 2199cc unit from the 16HP (1946 model) giving a top speed of 83 mph. Coil spring ifs and cart sprung rear, four speed column shift.
 

A90 Atlantic

wb: 8 ft 4 cyl. ohv
2660 cc
88 bhp		  
Convertible    

 

A90 Atlantic mechanically based on the A70 but with bored out engine of 2660cc and 88 bhp, giving a top speed of 96 mph.
 

Taxicab and Hire Car

  4 cyl. ohv
2200 cc		  
Taxicab FX3  
Hire Car FL1  

 

The FX was developed by co-operation between Austin, the coachbuilders Carbodies of Coventry and London taxi dealers Mann and Overton as a replacement for the obsolete 12/4, this experimental prototype dates from 1945. The FX used a 1800cc sidevalve engine, and was fitted with a pre-war body for testing purposes. The FX was underpowered, and was replaced by the FX2, which had an all-new chassis, a new 1.8 litre 14hp ohv petrol engine and a prototype coachbuilt body to exactly the same design as would be fitted to the FX3. The FX3 is offered with a 2.2litre ohv petrol engine and an all-steel body from Carbodies. The first prototype FX3, JXN 841 went on test alongside the FX2, JXN 842. FL1- The hire car version of the FX3 have a front bench seat, forward facing tip up seats in the rear and with higher speed crown-wheel assembly. Four doors and no For Hire sign distinguish it.