Austin A35

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Austin A35
Manufacturer BMC
Production 1956-1968
280,897
Predecessor Austin A30
Successor Austin A40 Farina
Class compact car
Wheelbase 79.5 inches (2019 mm)[1]
Length 136.5 inches (3467 mm)[1]
Width 55 inches (1397 mm)[1]
A35 Saloon
Production 1956-1959
129,245[2]
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
2-door saloon
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 948 cc A-Series Straight-4
A35 Countryman
Production 1956-1968
151,652[2]
Body style(s) 2-door estate
2-door pickup truck
2-door van
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 948 cc A-Series Straight-4
1098 cc A-Series Straight-4

The A35 was a small (compact) car sold by the British Motor Corporation under the Austin marque in the 1950s. Introduced in 1956, it replaced the highly-successful Austin A30. The name reflected the larger and more-powerful 34 hp (25 kW) A-Series straight-4 engine, enabling a slightly higher top speed and better acceleration.

The A35 was very similar in appearance to the A30, except for a larger rear window aperture and a painted front grille, with chrome horse-shoe surround, instead of the chrome grille featured on the A30. Both had 13 in (330 mm) wheels. The semaphore turn-signal indicators were replaced with present-day front- and rear-mounted flashing lights. A slightly easier to operate remote-control gear-change was provided. Much of the improved performance was a result of different gearbox ratios. The A30 had the first three ratios close together then a big gap to top (4th gear). The A35 ratios were better spaced and gave a max speed in third of 60 mph (97 km/h) against about 45 mph (72 km/h) for the A30.

Like the A30, the A35 was offered as a 2- or 4-door saloon or 2-door "Countryman" estate and also as a van. The latter model continued in production through 1968. A rare pickup version was also produced in 1956, with just 475 sold.

The A35 passenger cars were replaced by the new body shape A40 Farina models in 1959 but the estate car version continued until 1962 and van until 1968. [2]

The A35 was quite successfully raced in its day and can still be seen today at historic race meetings.

A 1964 model A35 van carrying a 1953 tax disk with a 1978 registration (HOP 2 1T), and no front "sidelights", features in the 2005 Aardman movie, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

[edit] Production

  • Saloons: 130,000
  • Others: 151,000.

Engine:

  • 1956–1962 - 948 cc A-Series I4, 34 hp (25 kW) at 4750 rpm and 50 ft·lbf (68 Nm) at 2000 rpm
  • 1962–1968 - 1098 cc A-Series I4, 55 hp (41 kW) at 5500 rpm and 61 ft·lbf (83 Nm) at 2500 rpm (Van)
A35 van
A35 van

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  2. ^ a b c Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies (1993). A-Z of cars 1945-1970. UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7. 
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