Many thanks to Member Paul Campbell for April's car of the month-his wonderful Austin A95. In Paul's own words : "I’ve only owned this A95 since 2020, but when it came up locally I had to have it as it was almost identical to one my parents had when I was a nipper – Tweed Grey with Old English White stripe. In fact, my parents’ was an A105 with twin SU carburettors.
It has undoubtedly led a sheltered life having done less than 45,000 miles from new and never restored other than a top-quality respray some 15 years ago. The engine is the 2,639cc 6-cylinder, similar to that fitted to the Austin Healey 100/6, in this form producing 92bhp and a top speed of over 90 mph. All very respectable for a 1957 car! It can take Duncton Hill at 45 mph.
Some 28,065 were produced at Longbridge from 1956 to 1959 as a redesigned ‘long tail’ version of the A90. There are believed to be 47 remaining in the UK. The early Borg-Warner auto gearbox is a rare option as it added some 10% to the purchase price at a time when buyers were wary of the technology, so there were few takers. This car is one of the three A95 automatics in the UK. A £4,000 rebuild of the gearbox not long before I bought it gave me peace of mind.
This particular car has been made even more driveable with retro-fitted brake servo, adjustable Kenlowe fan, electric power steering and a Facet fuel pump / regulator.
All original tools and handbooks remain with the car and the original ULF London registration is on the original number plates.
Shortly after I bought it, I was contacted by Classic and Sport Car magazine who wanted to come down to Sussex for a photoshoot. They had struggled to find an original example in good condition and the resulting article in the January 2021 edition formed the buyers’ guide for this model."
