1950 Austin A90 Atlantic Convertible

Registration No: LSM 233
Chassis No: BD277484
MOT: June 2024

• Subject to a comprehensive bare metal restoration being completed in early 2023
• Desirable home-market example boasting matching chassis, engine and gearbox numbers
• 1 of just 3,718 produced, with only 11 roadgoing Atlantic Convertibles known to the Austin Counties Club
• Winner of the Best in Show at the prestigious Thoresby Hall Classic Car Show 2023
• Only three private owners from new with previous ownership for some 50 years

Aimed squarely at the American market, the Austin A90 Atlantic Convertible was a brave gamble that sadly, did not pay off. Intended to generate a steady flow of US dollars and so satisfy the British government's ruthless 'export or die' edict, its flamboyant steel bodywork was a riot of bulbous curves, swooping lines, and chrome accents. Launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, the Atlantic was underpinned by a rigid cruciform-braced chassis equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a 2660cc OHV four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed column-change manual transmission, it was more boulevardier than a sports car. Not that this stopped Austin from pounding one round the Indianapolis Speedway for seven days non-stop! A feat that not only underlined the model's 92mph top speed but also yielded an impressive sixty-three stock car records (the convertible in question managing to average 70.54mph including all stops over its marathon 168-hour run). Although joined by a companion Sports Saloon in September 1949, the Atlantic failed to capture the American public's imagination or wallets (its failure ironically being blamed on a lack of 'Britishness'). Thus, by the time production ceased in 1952, just 7,981 are thought to have been made (3,718 'soft-tops' and 4,263 'tin-tops').

Manufactured new in 1950, this desirable home-market example was registered new on the 18^th of November 1950 by Dumfries County Council, being supplied new to a W. J. Dunlop Ltd of Dumfries. Shortly after the A90 passed into its first private ownership, a gentleman who resided in the Bridge of Allan region before the second private owner acquired the car in 1963. ‘LSM 233’ was retained by him for almost sixty years, during which, in the 1980s, the Atlantic was laid up. Acquired by the vendor in early 2022 as a restoration project, the Austin boasts matching chassis, engine and gearbox numbers and was found to be ripe for restoration. Stripped down to bare metal, the bodywork was found to be remarkably solid, only requiring some small areas of welding and there were no replacement panels required, with the aluminium bonnet and boot being in excellent condition. The engine was removed and the engine bay was stripped and painted, with bodywork receiving a full respray, matching the original factory Mint Turquoise colour from the inside of an original panel.

The engine was completely overhauled with the head skimmed and the chain tensioners renewed and the carburettor renovated, with all new hoses and service parts. Fitment of a new clutch followed with the braking system completely refreshed with new pads, brake pipes, wheel cylinders and other parts as required. The suspension bushes were replaced as required, and the fuel system was refreshed with the fuel tank removed and cleaned and a new fuel pump fitted before attending to the wiring loom to finish the mechanical renovation. Cosmetically, the Atlantic then received re-chromed front and rear bumpers, window frames and carpet trims, with the remainder of the chrome or stainless trim mouldings and "Flying A's" kept in original condition. New hub caps and embellishers were provided with the wheels painted in the correct body colour, with the front lamps re-silvered to retain all the original glass "cats eye" lenses.

‘LSM 233’ was then provided with a fully retrimmed interior in Cream vinyl with Blue piping accents and a fully bespoke carpet set in Tan with Blue piping fitted too. The original radio is fitted (although not operational), and pleasingly the dashboard presents with the original Bakelite dash knobs and switches. The original steering wheel has had a bespoke leather cover fitted and the trafficators are in working order (with extra indicators added for safety). A new mohair hood trimmed in Black was fitted on the refurbished and powder-coated hood frame, and the hydraulic hood pump was overhauled with new seals. New period correct cross-ply tyres were fitted all-round and the restoration reached completion in early 2023, with the Austin due to be provided with a fresh MOT certificate in time for sale.

Featured at the NEC Practical Classic Restoration Show and winner of Best in Show at the prestigious Thoresby Hall Classic Car Show since the end of the restoration, the Austin Counties Club are only aware of 11 road-going convertibles left. Supplied with the original buff logbook, a no advisory MOT certificate until June 2024, and a current V5C document. A very rare sight and extremely stylish, ‘LSM 233’ is a scarce opportunity to acquire a freshly restored and show-winning example, that boasts matching numbers and was supplied new to the home market, with just three private owners from new.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452