Austin Westminster

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Austin Westminster
Manufacturer BMC
Production 1954-1968
96,362
Predecessor Austin A70 Hereford
Successor Austin 3-Litre

The Westminster series were large saloon and estate cars sold by the British Austin Motor Company from 1954, replacing the A70 Hereford. The Westminster line was produced as the A90, A95, A99, A105, and A110 until 1968 when the new Austin 3-Litre took its place. Essentially badge-engineered versions of the Westminster were also produced using the premium Wolseley and Vanden Plas marques.

Contents

[edit] A90

A90
Production 1954-1955
55,100 (approx including A95/110) [1]
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 2.6 L C-Series I6
Transmission(s) 4 speed manual
overdrive optional from 1955
Wheelbase 104 inches (2635 mm) [2]
Length 170 inches (4324 mm) [2]
Width 64 inches (1626 mm) [2]
Height 63.25 in (1606.6 mm) [3]

The A90 Westminster was introduced at the 1954 London Motor Show at the same time as the small A40/A50 saloon range. It used the new BMC C-Series straight-6 engine with single Zenith carburettor which, at 2.6 L (2639 cc), produced 85 hp (63 kW)[3]. The suspension is independent at the front using coil springs and wishbones and leaf spring and anti-roll bar on the live axle at the rear. The four speed transmission has Synchromesh on the top three ratios and from 1955 an overdrive unit could be specified.

The interior, with leather trim on the de luxe and PVC on standard models has in the front two individual seats arranged tightly together as a compromise that could in theory seat three people abreast. When only two are carried there are on the de luxe model fold down armrests at the side of each seat. The de luxe also has a central fold down armrest in the rear. The handbrake control is under the dash at the side of the steering column which also carries the gear change lever. A heater is fitted as standard on the de luxe model but optional on the standard version.

The British Motor magazine tested a Westminster de luxe saloon in 1955 recording a top speed of 85.7 mph (137.9 km/h) and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 18.9 seconds and a fuel consumption of 20.2 miles per imperial gallon (14.0 L/100 km/16.8 mpg US). The test car cost £834 including taxes. [3]

The A90 designation had previously been carried by the 1948-1952 Austin Atlantic.

[edit] A95/A105

A95/A105
Production 1956-1959
For production figs see A90
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
2-door estate (A95)
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 2.6 L C-Series I6
Wheelbase 104 in (2642 mm)
106 in (2692 mm) from May 1956 [2]
Length 170 in (4318 mm)
181 in (4597 mm) from May 1956 [2]
Width 64 in (1626 mm) [2]
Height 61 in (1549 mm)[4]
Related Morris Marshal

The A90 was updated for 1956 as the A95 Westminster. Along with more power, the A95 was longer and now offered an estate model. Overdrive and an automatic transmission were new as well, something of a novelty in British cars of the time.

Introduced along with the A95 was a top-of-the-range A105 Westminster. It had twin SU carburettors helping to produce 102 hp (78 kW)[4]. Overdrive was supplied as standard. For visual effect, two-tone paint and whitewall tyres were fitted. A heater, twin fog lights and two wing mirrors were standard but the radio remained an extra.

Both the A95 and A105 were produced together until 1959.

A badge-engineered version of the A95 with different grille, trim, and badges and a bench front seat was assembled and sold in Australia as the Morris Marshal from 1958-60. [5]

The A105 was the first mass-produced Austin family car to be specially upgraded by coachbuilder Vanden Plas, following the success of the large A135 Austin Princess limousine. This was done after a personal request from Leonard Lord in 1957. Changes included significant new interior fittings, and a grey stripe bearing the "Princess" crown on the side of the body; most bodies were in sombre colours such as black or maroon.

An A105 saloon with overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 96.3 mph (155.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 15.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.0 miles per imperial gallon (12.8 L/100 km/18.3 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £1109 including taxes. [4]

A105 with Vanden Plas treatment
A105 with Vanden Plas treatment

[edit] A99

A99
Production 1959-1961
15,162 [1]
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 2.6 L C-Series I6
Length 188 inches (4775 mm) [2]
Width 68 inches (1727 mm) [2]
Related Wolseley 6/99
Vanden Plas Princess

The A99 Westminster appeared in 1959 with new Pininfarina-designed bodywork. Pininfarina had also re-styled Austin's compact A40 and mid-sized A60 Cambridge ranges the year before. Under the bonnet was the 2.9 L (2912 cc) C-Series straight-6 engine from the Austin-Healey 3000. This engine produced 103 hp (77 kW) in Westminster tune. Borg-Warner supplied a 3-speed manual with an overdrive unit or an automatic transmission. Power assisted brakes with discs in front were also new.

A specially trimmed A99 was sold as the Princess 3-Litre, (note, not an "Austin" Princess — Austin was removed from Princess badging during the time of the previous Princess IV, in August 1957) and later under the Vanden Plas marque as the Vanden Plas Princess. A Wolseley version, the 6/99, was also produced. Production ended in 1961 with the introduction of the larger A110.

[edit] A110

A110
Production 1961-1968
26,100 [1]
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 2.9 L C-Series I6
3.9 L Rolls Royce I6 overhead inlet, side exhaust
Wheelbase 110 inches (2794 mm) [2] [6]
Length 188 inches (4775 mm) [2]
Width 68 inches (1740 mm) [2]
Related Wolseley 6/110
Vanden Plas Princess

The final major update arrived in 1961 with the A110 Westminster. This version had an extended (by 2 in/51 mm) wheelbase, floor-mounted gear lever, and twin exhausts. 13 in wheels were substituted in 1964's Mark II models. Wolsely produced a 6/110 version, and there was a Vanden Plas Princess Mark II with the C-Series engine, now uprated to 120 hp. The same basic body was also used for a Rolls Royce-engined Vanden Plas Princess 4 Litre R, and the body even formed part of a prototype Bentley.

The Westminster range was finally replaced by the Austin 3-Litre in 1968.

Austin A110 Westminster Mark II — the biggest "Farina" Austin

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Sedgwick, M.; Gillies.M (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  3. ^ a b c "The Austin A90 Westminster de luxe" (April 6 1955). The Motor. 
  4. ^ a b c "The Austin A105" (August 22 1956). The Motor. 
  5. ^ Jim Jarron's Motoring Pages http://www.users.bigpond.com/jimjarron/morris%20marshal.html
  6. ^ Cardew, Basil (1966). Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. London: Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd. 

[edit] External links

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