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1954 Austin A40 Somerset
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1954 Austin A40 Somerset
Specifications
Description
Ooo, what a cute little car.
Yes it is, if the pygmy look is your thing, but this A40 carries the weight of some serious world financial history on its skinny little tires.
Like as in our trillion dollar deficits. Seriously. This Austin was the first import car bought in significant numbers right after WWII, which at the time was a godsend to Great Britain, helping to bail them out of their horrible debt load, the price of winning the war.
In an era of massive technological leaps forward, it was good to see that Austin among other manufacturers was still only able to afford to produce poor updates of existing, obsolete models. In the light of such technical marvels as the Morris Minor and Saab 92, Austin’s A40 Somerset was typical of this policy.
It’s an honest genuine classic today, but by using the running gear of the A40 Dorset and Devon – which was already antiquated – and giving it the same style as the A70 Hereford and the A30, the company was not able to offer a convincing case for itself at a time when it was important to tempt younger buyers with exciting products.
Its B-series engine was still pegged at a mere 1200cc and, despite independent front suspension, the chassis wasn’t able to conjure up inspiring handling for those who went looking. Despite that, the portly little car soon won a place in the British Public’s collective hearts, and the prominent sweeping line down from the top of the front wing and the distinctive grille helped stamp a strong identity on to the car. As a result, sales were reasonably good, and helped pave the way for the creation of the British Motor Corporation in 1952.
ABOUT THIS CAR
- Low Ownership - 4 in total. First owner for 42 years, 2nd for 7 years, 3rd for 4 years and previous to us for 12 years.
- VCC Registered - NZ Historic Vehicle.
- Good tidy condition throughout.
- Clean body with paintwork showing ts age but still very presentable.
- Nice original interior in good condition
- New carpets
- Original hood lining in good order
- Starts, runs and drives well.
- Spare wheel, jack, original manual.
- 4 speed manual coloumn change
- Independent coil front suspension, semi elliptic rear.
- Hydraulic brakes
- Well maintained and serviced.
Austin was undoubtedly the best selling import in the early fifties, and maintained a prominent place during the rest of the decade, despite eventually losing the crown to VW.
A great wee collectible classic - fun and nippy little thing.
Car will be sold WOF’d and Registered.
FINANCE PACKAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST!
TRANSPORT / WORLDWIDE SHIPPING CAN BE ORGANISED ON THIS VEHICLE ON BUYER'S BEHALF AT BUYERS COST.
Viewing is STRICTLY BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT only.
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DISCLAIMER (PLEASE READ)
NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993
Waimak Classic Cars Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”.
Waimak Classic Cars is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Classic Cars does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.
The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Classic Cars as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Classic Cars.
The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.
For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485 / +64 (0) 274 990-020. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime.
PLEASE NOTE: Waimak Classic Cars is Not a car yard dealer type of operation. As a result, we do not operate through fixed opening hours and viewing is By Appointment Only.