Austin A95 Westminster DeLuxe

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Introduced in 1954, Austin’s Westminster range pursued a simple but effective strategy: take a straight-six engine, install it in a semi-upmarket saloon similar to its smaller cousins, give it a posh name and you end up with an appealing package for the middle class motorist.

Following on where the A70 Hereford had left off, the A90 Westminster may have looked like the A40 and A50 Cambridge, but it was significantly larger and only the doors were actually interchangeable between the models. The real selling point was the smooth and potent 2.6-litre C-Series six-cylinder engine which produced a healthy 85bhp with plenty of torque and could hustle the car to 60mph in 18 seconds with a top speed of 86mph.

In 1956, the Westminster was upgraded to A95 and A105 spec, both models being differentiated from their A90 predecessor by a larger rear window, a squarer rear wing line, a new grille and a leather interior in the DeLuxe versions. The A95 gained a bit more power but the 102bhp A105 was the star of the range with twin carbs, lowered suspension, overdrive as standard and two-tone paint.

This 1958 A95 DeLuxe may look a bit tired in its faded Tweed Grey paint but don’t let that fool you, underneath that shabby chic exterior lurks a remarkably fresh old motor. Discovered as a stalled restoration in 2006, it was gently recommissioned by its previous owner to a very useable condition, and now has a reconditioned engine with new oil pump and main bearings, a new clutch, new brakes with copper lines, new prop shaft unions and a full stainless steel exhaust system.

It retains its original, pleasingly patinated red leather interior, and has an impressively tidy engine bay, boot area and under body. The bodywork is remarkably sound as is most of the brightwork with the exception of the rear bumper and boot number plate plinth which would benefit from re-plating.

Said by the vendor to “drive beautifully with strong transmission and a very smooth, quiet engine”, it is MOT exempt with free Historic tax status. Supplied with a V5, a driver’s handbook and a period two-page sales brochure, it is ready to enjoy right away and could be smartened up over time as desired.