1949 Austin Atlantic

History

The Austin Atlantic was introduced as a Convertible at the 1948 earls Court Motor Show in London, with production models being built between the spring of 1949 and late 1950. A two-door sports coupe was previewed at the 1949 Motor Show and was in production from 1950 through 1952. Both were powered by a 4-cylinder 2660cc engine. 7,981 were built through 1952 before being superseded by the next A90 - the totally different Austin Westminster - in 1954. The Atlantic, as its name implies, was targeted at the United States market and was designed almost certainly by Austin's then resident stylist, Italian Dick Burzi clearly influenced by Pininarina's 1946 Alfa Romeo cabriolet. Unfortunately, the United States was not very responsive and only 350 reached these shores.