Austin A60

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

After Pinin Farina's successful re-design of the A40, Austin's larger cars duly received attention from the Italian carrozzeria, the first of these - the Austin A55 Cambridge MkII - appearing in 1959.

By 1961, the updated A60 Cambridge Saloon had arrived, a vastly improved version of the A55 MKII which featured a larger, more powerful 1,622cc four-cylinder B-series engine, wider track, longer wheelbase and revised styling, losing the exaggerated fins of the outgoing model. Early manual models had the option of column gear change and a Borg Warner three-speed Type 35 automatic transmission was also on offer.

A sumptuous leather interior with large comfortable seats gave the A60 a feeling of luxury that would not have been out of place in cars costing a great deal more, further adding to its appeal. The lusty 61bhp engine also made the A60 a popular choice as a tow vehicle for caravan enthusiasts and an estate version was also available, known as the Countryman.

The A60 was never intended to last as long as it did and BMC assumed that demand would drop after the launch of the front-wheel drive 1800 series, however this did not happen. The Longbridge plant struggled to cope with manufacturing both types and A60 Cambridge production had to be moved to the factory at Cowley to be built alongside the Morris Oxford, MG Magnette, Riley and Wolseley badge-engineered equivalents to relieve the situation. Production of the Austin A60 finally ceased in 1969, although its Morris equivalent, the Oxford, continued through to 1971.

Well known for their sturdy construction, most of the Farina range of cars have been sacrificed to the miserable sport of classic banger racing so AAP 651B is indeed a rare car these days. Especially as it has covered just 25,000 miles since it was first delivered to Mrs Bowen who lived in Southsea.

According to the accompanying Heritage Certificate, the car was completed on 25th September 1963 and dispatched at the beginning of November to Parkinson Polson and Co in Eastbourne. Given the infamous winter of 1963, it is perhaps no surprise that it wasn’t registered until 2nd February the following year. It was ordered in Grampian Grey (a colour it retains to this day) with Cardinal Red upholstery. It cost £768 2s 1d plus £15 7s 4d for the optional heater. Mrs Bowden kept the car until 1993 when it passed to Mrs Longmore who lived in Shrewsbury. She used it until 1994 when it was taken off the road and parked in the garage.

The vendor acquired it in 2014 and recommissioned the car. The brakes were fully overhauled, the driver’s seat rebuilt with new Pirelli webbing and new front carpets fitted (including the correct Austin heal pad on the driver’s side). Some minor wiring issues, a new regulator and battery got things going nicely and it had four new tyres for its MOT which it flew through with no advisories, the current ticket expiring in May 2016.

The vendor describes the body as very sound, requiring just two small patches on the sill below the A-posts during the recommissioning process. It comes with its original handbook, workshop manual, tools and tool-roll and two sets of keys. The vendor has also accumulated some useful spares such as hoses, filters and brake cylinders which will be included in the sale.

This lovely old A60 is a real trip down memory lane. Ready for show, its original condition and low mileage (just over 25,000 miles from new) ensures that there is always an admiring crowd around it wherever it goes. Bidders are advised that it has a refurbished regulator rather than a new one.