The Last Real Austins - 1946-1959 By Colin Peck"British car enthusiasts would be well aware that, in 1952, Austin and Morris joined together to form the conglomerate known as the British Motor Corporation. Many motorists of the period were fiercely loyal to their chosen marque and the amalgamation meant a loss of identity, especially for Austin vehicles made in Longbridge. This most interesting book looks closely at those Austin vehicles made from WWII to the late 1950s when the infamous BMC badge engineering was in its stride. I found it a most absorbing read, especially on the lengths taken by Austin to secure sales success in the North American market. As with others in the Veloce ‘Those were the days...’ series it is not a huge publication, but it does cover a comprehensive range of models that were available at the time, including small family cars like the A40 through to the large A125 limousines. Also included are the various Countryman models such as the highly collectible timber-bodied versions. Commercial vehicles such as utilities, pick-ups and vans are included too. The section on sports cars is interesting as it features the less-than-successful A90 Atlantic and the Austin-Healey 100 and 100/6, but only the versions made at Longbridge. The hundreds of period and modern photographs used throughout the book are excellent and I liked the inclusion of so many from the US and Canada. The sight of an A90 pulling up a hill from a California beach is particularly evocative. Well worth a look for all British car enthusiasts and a must for Austin owners."
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