|
By
DAVID PIKE
At the end of World War II most car manufacturers simply continued with
their pre-war leftovers whilst they were getting their factories
reorganised. Austin was the first to enter post-war production in 1945
with the A90 Atlantic. Because of Britain's need for overseas currency
this car was designed specifically for the American market and when
launched at Earls Court motor show in 1948 it created quite a sensation.
The first model was a convertible with quite
different styling from previous cars of this type. The front wings
were bulbous and swept right across the deep doors so as to blend
in to the big one piece rear wing with cowled wheel arches. This
design created a very bold profile. The body was adorned with
numerous chrome fittings in a continuing appeal to the American
market and even featured twin Austin badges above each headlight.
Unusually for 1948 the Atlantic convertible had a
power top and glass door windows which was unheard of in previous
English convertibles. The top could be raised and latched down in
only 22 seconds. Inside the car featured a radio, adjustable
steering wheel and heater _ items we take for granted today but at
the time these were rare luxuries. A white steering wheel and a
four-speed column gearchange added to the luxury appearance.
The A90 was powered by a long-stroke,
overhead-valve 2660cc engine with a 66kW power output. This gave
the car a top speed of 145km/h making it one of only a handful of
cars at that time capable of this speed but the Atlantic was by
far the cheapest. It could accelerate from 0-96km/h in 16.6
seconds - considered quick at the time. Petrol was still rationed
when it was introduced and the fact that the car could travel
100km and consume only 11.5 litres was considered quite a virtue.
In 1951 a saloon version of the Atlantic which had
hydraulic brakes and a lower axle ratio was introduced and the
convertible ceased production. The saloon was only manufactured up
until September 1952 and was then taken out of the range following
the BMC merger. In total whilst 7981 cars were produced and of
this number 3,597 were exported, only 350 turned up in America.
|
