DO YOU REMEMBER – THE AUSTIN A70 HEREFORD?
By Ellie Priestley |
10th July, 2020
2020 marks the 70th birthday of several key post-war models, from the Ford Zephyr Mk. I to the Jaguar Mk. VII - and also one of my favourite cars. The Austin A70 Hereford boasts rather elegant Art Deco styling, courtesy of Dick Burzi, and it is an innately respectable machine that truly belonged on the driveway of a suburban villa in Wimbledon. Seven decades ago, Longbridge claimed it would ‘afford immense pleasure of ownership’ – and they were quite right.
The original A70 was the 1948 Hampshire, the more substantial alternative to the A40 Devon saloon. As compared with its predecessors, the Hereford boasted all-hydraulic brakes, greater width, a longer wheelbase, and a more spacious cabin. The generous specification included a heater, twin sun visors and a clock. The brochure further proclaimed, ‘the wide seats are trimmed in leather and have latex foam moulded Dunlopillo foundations, while thick pile carpets cover the floor’.
One advertisement also optimistically claimed ‘The 68 bhp overhead valve engine really pushes out the power’ and that the A70 ‘corners at speed as though it was on rails’ but few would ever purchase a Hereford for its sporting prowess. The Austin was capable of just 80 mph and 0-60 in 22.3 seconds, while the steering column gearchange discoursed most attempts at enthusiastic driving.
In reality, the A70 mainly appealed to those sedate types who could afford £846 9s 9d and who quietly revelled in its ability to cruise along trunk roads at a steady 70 mph. The Motor praised the Hereford’s ‘flowing lines’ and thought ‘most things that an owner is likely to want have been thought of – and most of them have been thought of in a very sensible way’. This was a vital element of the A70, for it was definitely not a car for spivs or bounders.
However, for those motorists with dreams of becoming the next Nigel Patrick or even Terry-Thomas, Austin offered the highly attractive Coupe with its choice of a manually or power-operated hood. Longbridge further augmented the range with the wooden-framed Countryman and a pick-up version – ‘Back for the next load – quicker’ - aimed at the Australian export market.
When the A90 Westminster replaced the Hereford in late 1954, it marked Austin’s adoption of six-cylinders for its large family saloons. By that time, the Zephyr and the E-Series Vauxhall Velox had already made the “Big Four” engine seem out of date, but the charm of the A70 is undeniable. You can imagine a Raymond Huntley-style bank manager circa 1951 revelling in Austin’s promises of an ‘interior of quiet dignity’ and ‘a commanding view of the road’. Best of all - ‘For carefree family motoring or for important business journeys – you can depend on it’.
Why choose Lancaster Insurance?
Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.
We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.
Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:
- Historic rally cover
- Static show cover
- Limit mileage discounts
- Choice of repairer
- 24-hour claims helpline
Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your Austin today.
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