Austin
A125 / A135
Austin
A125 Sheerline
Design
of the Sheerline began in 1942, Leonard Lord wanted a traditional
British look, the vehicle was amined at giving a luxurious car in
the vogue of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley with vertical grille, large
and impressive headlights; distinctive knife-edge styling with
separate but flowing wings and traditionally mounted side lights.
The interior also needed to give a feel of opulence with walnut
veneer, leather upholstery and luxury carpets.
Wooden
Mock-Up
This
all came to fuition in 1947 when the Austin A110 Sheerline was
annoounced. But only 12 were actually made when a decision was made
to increase the engine size from 3460 cc to 3993 The model which
was produced at Longbridge remained in production till 1954. It
could also be purchased in chassis form as a Hearse or Ambulance.
The year before 1946 Vanden Plas a coach building company who were
based in Kingsbury London had been bought by the Austin Motor
Company. So when the Sheerline was launched as a A125 the Vandan
Plas version was called the Austin A135 Princess Mk I using the
same chassis and running gear as the Sheerline it had a streamline
body with the headlamps blending into the
wings.
Model
(A110)
Date
when launched 1947
Total produced 12
Engine
3,460cc Power output never given
Length 15ft 11.5ins Width 6ft 1ins Height 5ft 7ins
Wheel Base 9ft 11.3ins Track front 4ft 10ins rear 5ft 0ins
Price ex Works Aug 1947 £1277
Model
A125 Sheerline
Date
when launched 1947 Discontinued in 1954
Total produced 11,605 including chassis for use with other
bodies
Engine
3993cc 125bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 150 lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Length
15ft 11.5ins Width 6ft 1ins Height 5ft 7ins
Wheel Base 9ft 11.3ins Track front 4ft 10ins rear 5ft 0ins
Price ex Works May 1953 £1852
In
1950 the Austin A135 Princess Mk II was announced and was available
as a saloon on the normal chassis with a limousine on a long
wheelbase chassis.
The Mk III version arrived in 1953 and had a more flowing radiator
grill.
Sheerline in
Olympia, Washington, USA
1952
Austin Sheerline New Zealand
__________________
Sheerline
Replacement
Leonard Lord
decided that in early 1950s Austin should look at a replacement for
the Sheerline. So to try and keep the cost down as you can see it
used the doors from the Somerset-Hereford, along with other
componments. I'm sure that if this replacement had been given the
go ahead, sales of the Sheerline would have dried up.
Instead Vanden
Plas were ask to design an all new body to replace the ageing
Sheerline using the long wheelbase chassis. It was unveiled at the
Earls Court motor show later that year, and became known as the
Austin Princess 4-Litre. In 1956 the Mk IV was announced, but in
August 1957 the Austin name was dropped and it became known as the
Princess 4-Litre. Not long after it was once again renamed the
Vanden Plas 4-litre which continued in production until
1959.
A135
Princess MkIII
Model A135 Princess MkII, MkIII, MkIV versions
Date
when launched 1950 Discontinued in 1959
Total produced MkII 760 MkIII 350 MkIV 200 SWB
Total production for all versions of the Princess including Chassis
only was 3,515
Engine
3995 cc 90bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 150 lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Length
16ft 4.5ins Width 6ft 2.5ins Height 5ft 6ins
Wheel Base 9ft 11.3ins Track front 4ft 10ins rear 5ft 0 ins
Price ex Works
Nov 1953 Mk III £2,183
Feb 1957 MkIV LWB Saloon £3,376
Austin
135 Princess long-wheelbase Limo
Princess MkIV 4-litre LWB
Date
when launched 1952 Discontinued in 1968
Total produced see above on SWB
Engine 3995 cc 120 bhp at 4,000 rpm Max torque 185 lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Length 17ft 11ins Width 6ft 2.5ins Height 5ft 10ins
Wheel Base 11ft 0ins Track front 4ft 10.5ins rear 5ft 2.5ins
Touring Limousine Auto gearbox
Price ex Works Feb 1957 £3,541incl £1181 Purchase Tax
Princess
Mk IV
