68Moparmaniac
Well-Known Member
Dumpster Food
Not a B-Body...But what are they?
- Thread starter Macdon221
- Start date
Chrycoman
Member
Yes, the blue one is an early 1950's Austin A40 Somerset. British car fans refer to them as "rolly-pollys". They came in saloon and convertible models.
The smaller ones are Austin A30 models. This model came in 2 and 4 door saloon styles.
Austin, Morris and Hillman were selling cars in Canada in the 1930's. Vauxhall was selling cars in Toronto in the late 1920's , before GM purchased the firm.
Management at Austin had a very optimistic view of the North American market for Austin sales after WW II. They built an assembly plant in Hamilton, Ontario. Was never used as such as the market for imports dropped in 1949-50. Was Austin's Canadian head office and parts warehouse into the 1960's.
Bill
Vancouver, BC
The smaller ones are Austin A30 models. This model came in 2 and 4 door saloon styles.
Austin, Morris and Hillman were selling cars in Canada in the 1930's. Vauxhall was selling cars in Toronto in the late 1920's , before GM purchased the firm.
Management at Austin had a very optimistic view of the North American market for Austin sales after WW II. They built an assembly plant in Hamilton, Ontario. Was never used as such as the market for imports dropped in 1949-50. Was Austin's Canadian head office and parts warehouse into the 1960's.
Bill
Vancouver, BC
the fist one seems to get an opening for small grille above the bumper, so I don't think an Austin. It looks similar to an earlier 50s BMW maybe ?
( editing, yes, the A40 is very similar too, not the A30, definitelly )
( editing, yes, the A40 is very similar too, not the A30, definitelly )
Last edited:
Chrycoman
Member
The first two in the bush are Austin A40 Somersets. Attached are two photos of the Somerset -
Chrycoman
Member
The Somerset was on a 92½" wheelbase with a 1200cc ohv four cylinder engine. The smaller A30 had a four cylinder engine with 800cc.
The Somerset from the rear -
The Somerset from the rear -
Chrycoman
Member
Austin also took the A40, widened the body 8", and added a longer hood to fit the 2199cc engine (4 cyl) to get the A70 Hereford. Wheelbase was 99" compared to the Somerset's 92½".
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