Austin A35

Austin A35
Manufacturer BMC
Production 1956-1959(saloon)
1956-1962(estate)
1956-1968(van)
280,897
Predecessor Austin A30
Successor Austin A40 Farina
Class compact car
Wheelbase 79.5 in (2,019 mm) [1]
Length 136.5 in (3,467 mm) [1]
Width 55 in (1,397 mm) [1]
A35 Saloon
Production 1956-1959
129,245[2]
Body style 4-door saloon
2-door saloon
Layout FR layout
Engine 948 cc A-Series Straight-4
A35 Countryman
Production 1956-1968
151,652[2]
Body style 2-door estate
2-door pickup truck
2-door van
Layout FR layout
Engine 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.

Contents

Design

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 to 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.

Performance

A two door de luxe saloon with the 948 cc engine was tested by the British Motor magazine in 1956 and was found to have a top speed of 71.9 mph (115.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 30.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 41.5 miles per imperial gallon (6.81 L/100 km; 34.6 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £554 including taxes of £185.[3]

Film and media appearances

A model representing a 1964 version of a A35 van carrying a 1953 tax disc with the registration (HOP 2 1T), and no front "sidelights", features in the 2005 Aardman movie, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Another one was seen in A Matter of Loaf and Death with the registration DOH NUT5. In 2009 as part of the show put on in the exhibition "Wallace & Gromit present a World of Cracking Ideas" at The Science Museum a real A35 van mocked up to look like the model used in the film.

Notable A35 owners

Production

Engines

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. 
  3. ^ "The Austin A35 de luxe two-door saloon". The Motor. November 21, 1956. 

External links