Paris journalists thought the styling too conservative in 1947, yet over 450,000 Devons and Dorsets sold anyway.
Median 90 hp across 129 similar cars
Lead trim: A40 Devon 1.2 OHV four (40 bhp)
Austin A40 Devon and Dorset1947–1952
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Austin A40 Devon and Dorset yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactParis journalists thought the styling too conservative in 1947, yet over 450,000 Devons and Dorsets sold anyway.
The Austin A40 Devon (and the similar 2-door A40 Dorset) were marketed by Austin from 1947 to 1952, the first post-war saloons produced by Austin, featuring a mix of old and new technologies; previewed by the UK press at the Paris Motor Show on 22 October 1947, which was disappointed by their conservative appearance, and more than 450,000 were built before the Austin A40 Somerset replaced them in 1952. Both were body-on-frame designs with modern bodies and a 1.2 L straight-four OHV engine producing 40 bhp at 4200 rpm, front coil-sprung independent suspension, a rigid axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, and Girling 9 in drum brakes, hydraulic at the front and mechanical at the rear (fully hydraulic on later cars, which also had a column change). The Devon was the 4-door and was more successful than the 2-door Dorset, dropped in 1949 after 15,939 were made; the Countryman estate was produced until late 1956, and a van and pickup were also built. It was the first post-war-designed Austin assembled in New Zealand (from CKD kits at Petone), and various A40 Tourers were made in Australia from September 1948. A car tested by The Motor in 1948 had a top speed of 70 mph and reached 0–60 mph in 37.2 seconds (34.1 mpg), and cost £505 including taxes with the optional sliding roof. Its sports derivative was the Austin A40 Sports, designed by Eric Neale of Jensen.
Collectors Spotted in the Austin A40 Devon Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Austin A40 Devon yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A40 Devon 1.2 OHV four (40 bhp) | 1947–1952 | 1.2 L Inline-4 | 40 hp | 59 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Rivals
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