Description
This very rare Austin Somerset Coupé registered on the 6th March 1954 in Manchester and still has its original registration number and is in its original colour of truely 1950’s Green. With a 1200CC engine and 4 speed Column Change its a great go anywhere car especially in the summer for open top motoring.
The A40 Somerset Coupé, was built by Carbodies of Coventry. With 2 doors and a considerably different body style to the saloon, plus with the main addition of a sophisticated, but very easy to operate, three-position drophead roof of the kind more commonly seen on Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Somerset Coupé is therefore a really attractive full four seater and demonstrates the iconic style of the 1950s.
Launched in 1952 with production ending in 1954, only 7243 Austin Somerset Coupes were sold worldwide - most were exported to Australia, USA and South Africa and very few now survive especially in the UK and in the condition of this car.
I acquired the car in 2015 as a part finished project. The car was drivable with the mechanics being overhauled and the interior restored to leather trim with the correct Vinyl roof. But the exterior needed work, was missing several parts of chrome trim, hence I set about finishing and bringing to a show standard where it has won on many occasions.
The car was stripped, resprayed in its original colour of Sage Green, all Chrome was repaired in some parts remade and restored. It has been regularly serviced and most recently it has had a new set of Cross-ply tyres, new door kick plates manufactured and a rebuild of the Clutch mechanism. With a history file dating back to 1977 containing old MOTs tracking the mileage to 1970 with numerous receipts for the work that it has had done.
Most importantly it is used and enjoyed nearly every week- weather dependant. I’ve covered some 3200 miles during my ownership regularly going to local car clubs or attend events and it has never let me down. I’m reducing my collection hence I’m giving someone to have the opportunity to own and enjoy such a fabulous and rare car.
