Austin
A90
A
90 Westminster
The
Austin A90 Westminster was announced at the 1954 London Motor Show
in October. This was the replacement for the A70 Hereford, so we
went from a very rounded body to the complete opposite with the
square look. It was to become the larger brother of the already
announced A40/50 Cambridge, with the high boot lid.
The
body was of the unit-construction type which gave the vehicle great
strength without the the need for a chassis. Although a bigger
brother to the A40/50 it still used the same doors, which reduced
costs. The rear lights were now positioned horizontally as shown
below with the spare wheel housed in a tray, that is lowered by
means of the starting handle.
Suspension at the front was also similar but was engineered to take
the higher loads imposed by the larger engine and body. To help
this, the model had a wider track and longer
wheelbase.
A90
Facia
This
was also the first vehicle to have the all new Morris designed six
cylinder 'C' series engine which was built at Morris Engines in
Coventry. Power was only 85 bhp using a single downdraught Zenith
carburettor. Also it had an all new four speed gearbox,
incorporating the latest baulk-ring synchromesh for smooth gear
changes. It had a steering column gear change which did allow three
people to sit in the front.
A90
Engine and Manual Gearbox
Saloon
Date
when launched late 1954
Discontinued in 1956
Total produced 25,532
Engine
2,639 cc 85 bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 130 lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Main measurements
Length 14ft 2.3ins Width 5ft 4ins Height 5ft 3.8 ins
Wheel Base 8ft 7.8ins Track front 4ft 3.5ins rear 4ft 3.3ins
Price ex Works
De-Luxe Jan 1956 £883
Extras Overdrive £63 .
Radio
,£39
Austin
A95 Westminster
Under-bonnet
layout
A95
Rear showing new lights and lower loading height
In
September 1956 the A95 was announced which was available in both
Saloon and Estate versions. The main external changes to the
previous model was that the body was now longer at the rear, with
the wings having a more streamline look. The rear window became
larger and curved round the side, giving the driver improved rear
vision. With a larger boot, the lid now sloping down in a gentle
curve to the bumper giving a much lower loading platform. It also
received new light clusters incorporated into the rear wings. On
the side the new twin mouldings allowed two-tone body
colours.
There were major changes at the front with a more striking grille
and surround which now included the indicator lights, it also had a
much larger bumper. The road wheels were now vented to aid cooling
to the brakes, along with different wheel trims.
The engine power was increased just 7bhp to 92bhp. On the
transmission front, Borg-Warner overdrive was still an option, but
now you could specify the Borg-Warner automation
transmission.
A95
Countryman
A estate version was announced at the same time in which the tail
gate was split horizontally, this allowed the lower half to drop
down to carry longer loads.
Saloon & Countryman
Date
when launched late 1956
Discontinued in 1959
Total produced 28,065 (Saloon &
Countryman)
Engine
2,639 cc 92 bhp at 4,500 rpm Max torque 130 lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Main
measurements
Length 15ft 0.8ins Width 5ft 4ins Height 5ft 2 ins
Wheel Base 8ft 9.8ins Track front 4ft 3.5ins rear 4ft 3.3ins
Price ex Works
Saloon
De-Luxe January 1957 £1043 incl £348 Purchase Tax
Extras Overdrive £63 Automatic £172 Radio £39
Estate
De-Luxe
January 1957 £1216
Extras Automatic £172 .
. Radio
£39