1950 Austin A90 Convertible

The British motor industry, after World War II, was mostly devoted to the export market, mostly in search of the U.S. currency. Austin's A40 Devon and Dorset models were selling well in parts of the United States and continued to be the company's best-selling imports in most years until 1952. Hoping to increase market share, Austin's chairman Leonard Lord directed his designers to come up with a larger convertible that would appeal to wealthy Americans. What they came up with was the A90 Atlantic. This new model was derived from the A70 Austin Hampshire and powered by a 2660cc version of the overhead valve four-cylinder engine and fitted with twin SU carburetors. The transmission was a column-shift four-speed unit.

The company's public relations director, Alan Hess, staged a week-long campaign at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April of 1949. While there, numerous endurance and speed records were achieved.

The Atlantic sold for $2,995 which was rather expensive at the time. In 1950, the company offered a reduction of $500 which helped bring it in range of other vehicles such as the Buick Super. For 1952, there were 7,981 Atlantics built and about 350 found owners in the United States.

This Austin Atlantic became part of the O'Quinn Collection in the late 1990s. The car is finished in a turquoise shade of green with a dark blue leather interior with dark blue carpets and cream piping ont he streets.

At some point in its history, the car was professionally restored. Currently, there are minor issues that are visible, mainly a few paint chips and slightly misalignment of the doors.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014