1949 Austin Atlantic Convertible

This Austin Atlantic is believed to have been the 1949 San Francisco show car. The windshield still bears decals from the selling dealer, Kjell Qvale's British Motor Car Company in San Francisco. Norwegian-American businessman, Qvale, was a pioneer the importation of British cars to the West Coast.

This convertible spent most of its early years in Southern California. In the early 2000s, it returned to England and given a frame-off restoration and given the age-related UK registration USL514. After the work was completed, it returned to the United States in its Wimbledon White exterior with a red leather interior.

The car is powered by a 2660cc overhead valve four-cylinder engine offering nearly 90 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission with hydraulic drums in the front and mechanical drums in the back.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's sale in Amelia Island, Florida. It was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $46,750 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2012