Registration No: LDA 903
Chassis No: 101459
MOT: Exempt

• The subject of an older restoration some fifteen plus years ago
• Recently serviced and treated to a brake system refurbishment, replacement exhaust and carburettor overhaul
• Said to 'run lovely' and offered for sale with a 'large history'

Aimed squarely at the American market, the Austin A90 Atlantic Convertible was a brave gamble that did not pay off. Intended to generate a steady flow of US dollars and so satisfy the British government's ruthless 'export or die' edict, its flamboyant steel bodywork was a riot of bulbous curves, swooping lines and chrome accents. Launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, the Atlantic was underpinned by a rigid cruciform-braced chassis equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a 2660cc OHV four-cylinder engine mated to four-speed column-change manual transmission, it was more boulevardier than sports car. Not that this stopped Austin from pounding one round the Indianapolis Speedway for seven days non-stop. A feat that not only underlined the model's 92mph top speed but also yielded an impressive sixty-three stock car records (the convertible in question managing to average 70.54mph including all stops over its marathon 168-hour run). Although, joined by a companion Sports Saloon in September 1949, the Atlantic failed to capture the American public's imagination or wallets (its failure ironically being blamed on a lack of 'Britishness'). Thus, by the time production ceased in 1952 just 7,981 are thought to have been made.

First road registered in Wolverhampton on June 10^th 1953 (or so its ‘LDA 903’ number plate would imply), chassis 101459 is understood to have been restored some fifteen plus years ago including a colour change from Blue to Red. Reportedly benefiting from a service, brake system overhaul, refurbished carburettor and replacement exhaust, the Sports Saloon is described by the vendor as being in ‘average’ (paintwork, gearbox) or ‘good’ (bodywork, engine, electrical equipment, interior trim) condition. Pleasingly retaining its original engine and perhaps some of its original Grey leather upholstery, this rare Austin is accompanied by ‘a large history file’.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737