Launched in September 1956, the A35 was the replaced of the very successful Austin A30. As the name suggests, it was endowed with the more powerful A Series in-line four 34 hp (25kW) engine, capacity increased from 803 to 948cc, this gave the car a slightly higher top speed and better acceleration. Improved performance was further achieved by having better gearbox ratios. The A30 has the first three ratios close together then a big gap to fourth. The A35 has slightly easier to operate remote-control gear-change and ratios are better spaced and give a higher speed in third gear. The uprated A-Series engine was also capable of taking the higher octane petrol that was fast becoming the popular fuel in the post-war years. This new A35 was now the most rapid car in its class, by a significant margin.
The bodywork and the 13 inch (330 mm) wheels stayed the same, the main changes in appearance of the A35 was a larger rear window and a painted front grille with chrome surround, instead of the fully chromed grille on the A30. Other upgrades included, ditching the semaphore turn-signal indicators that were replaced with modern front- and rear-mounted flashing lights.
As the A30 before it, the A35 came as a 2 or 4 door saloon, it really became obsolete when the Mini (Austin 7) was launched in 1959. The A40 Farina was the A35’s replacement in 1959. The 2 door A35 Countryman (Estate) carried on until 1962 and the 2 door A35 van managed to remain in production until 1968. In 1956 a 2 door A35 pickup was also produced but only 477 sold, its now a rare classic indeed.
Many famous people were seen driving the A35 probably the most famous was F1 World Champion James Hunt, who owned an A35 van which he cherished. He said: “I can put everything I learnt in motor racing into driving it round the Wandsworth one-way system on a wet Saturday night, blow off all the Ferraris and nobody takes a blind bit of notice.”
Both the A30 and A35 retain a very strong following, in classic car racing and restoration. Despite the fact that the Mini and Minor somewhat overshadowed the A35 commercially, the Cute little car has enough fans and proud owners to ensure that it will remain in the classic car hall of fame long into the future.
