Tag Archives: HRH

Diamond Jubilee – Austin A40 Somerset Coupé

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Welcome to the Diamond Jubilee edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

Today’s featured car is an Austin A40 Somerset was launched in 1952 built on a chassis with separate body.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

The 42 hp motor was described as providing “a virile performance to excite the young enthusiast and a smooth flexibility that enables it to be handled with confidence” in the sales brochure.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

Running on the low octane fuel of post war austerity Britain the claimed top speed for the A40 Somerset was 69 mph though a convertible was independently tested in 1953 with a top speed of 74 mph and rest to 60 mph time of 28.6 secs.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

This particular vehicle, seen at the Malta Classic Car Collection, was delivered to a customer in Malta and legend has it that in 1952 Queen Elizabeth II drove it, though it is unclear if this was during a state tour or a private visit to Prince Phillip and or his friends who had been stationed on the British Protectorate.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

Since finding out that this model was marketed as a ‘Coupé’ I have been unable to find out why. Somethings are obviously set to remain a mystery.

Thanks for joining me on this “Diamond Jubilee” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at one of my favourate models a Citroen 2CV. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Poor Mans Roller – Rover P5 Mark II 3 Litre

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The P5 was Rovers top of the range saloon / sedan when it was introduced in 1958 .

Rover P5 MkII 3 Litre, BMW Factory, Pistonheads,

Initially powered by a 115 hp, 2,995 cc / 182.8 cui straight six with the novel F head featuring an overhead intake valve and side exhaust valve as on the smaller motor used in the P4 series.

Rover P5 MkII 3 Litre, BMW Factory, Pistonheads

In 1962 the Mark II P5 was launched, as seen here, now with 129 hp, a quarter light front window and no glass wind deflectors atop the door windows.

Rover P5 MkII 3 Litre, BMW Factory, Pistonheads

The prototype P5 was fitted with 11 inch drum brakes all round however by the time the car was launched to the public disc brakes were fitted to the front wheels.

Rover P5 MkII 3 Litre, BMW Factory, Pistonheads

This was the vehicle of choice for a succession of British Prime Ministers and UK Government cabinet ministers and it is said Her Majesty the Queen of England preferred her Rover P5 as her daily driver.

Rover P5 MkII 3 Litre, BMW Factory, Pistonheads

When production ceased in 1965 15,676 Rover P5 Mrak II 3 litre saloons had been manufactured.

Thanks for joining me on the poor mans Rolls Royce edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil psycho on tyres’ I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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