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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Austin Westminster A99

1959Coachwork by Pininfarina

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Austin
Base model
A99 Westminster
Coachbuilt version
large BMC Farina saloon family
Coachbuilder
Pininfarina
Production period
1959
Body style
Berlina

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Austin Westminster A99 designed by Pininfarina features the 2.9 L (2912 cc) C-Series straight-6 engine with twin SU carburettors from the Austin-Healey 3000. This engine produced 103 hp (77 kW) in Westminster tune. A three-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox with a Borg-Warner overdrive unit was fitted as standard, or a Borg-Warner automatic transmission as an option. Power-assisted Lockheed brakes with 10.75 in (273 mm) discs on the front wheels were also new. An A99 saloon with automatic transmission was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1960 and they recorded a top speed of 98.1 mph (157.9 km/h), acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.9 seconds and a fuel consumption of 23.0 miles per imperial gallon (12.3 L/100 km; 19.2 mpg‑US). The test car cost £1219 including taxes. The manual car cost £1148. A specially trimmed Austin Westminster A99 was sold as the Princess 3-Litre, (note, not an “Austin” Princess – Austin was removed from Princess badging in August 1957 on the larger Princess IV) and later under the Vanden Plas marque as the Vanden Plas Princess. A Wolseley version, the 6/99, was also produced. Production ended in 1961 with the introduction of the larger A110. 15,162 A99s were built.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Mass

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-6

Dimensions & accommodation

Length
4,775 mm
Width
1,727 mm
Height
1,524 mm
Length
4775 mm
Width
1727 mm
Height
1524 mm

03 / DESIGN, BODY & SUPPLIERS

Design, body & suppliers

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Pininfarina
Manufacturer · Documented
Austin

Body form & construction

Body style
Berlina

04 / EVENTS & CHRONOLOGY

Events & chronology

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

09 / PERIOD ARCHIVE

Period photographs & advertising

THE CONVERSATION

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