AUSTIN AJS TRANSPORTER

The first all-new family cars to be launched after World War II were the Austin A40 Devon (four-door) and Dorset (two-door) in September 1947.

With a modern body design featuring faired-in headlamps, smooth curves and no running boards, they were quite a change from the re-introduced pre-war cars that Austin had been producing up until then, and indeed that most of their competitors were still producing. There was even a choice of five colours.

It wasn’t just a modern body hiding pre-war components, either. The chassis, although still separate, was new and featured independent front suspension, a first for Austin. The engine was a new 1200cc overhead valve unit developing 40bhp at 4300rpm, hence the A40 designation. Hydro-mechanical Girling brakes were fitted and the cars featured 12-volt electrical systems.

The cars were a sales success in those all-important post-war export markets, particularly Australia, Canada and the USA.

Early A40s had small 5in