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Karkrub Review

Specs of the Car:
The 1953 Austin A90 Atlantic 2.7 Coupe was an audacious attempt by the British automaker to break into the American luxury car market. The vehicle boasted a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine capable of producing around 88 horsepower. This engine was paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, and it was said to achieve a top speed of roughly 91 mph. The car was elegantly designed, with a sleek body, chrome finishes, and distinctive hydraulic window lifts. Its wheelbase was approximately 100 inches, with the car having an overall length of around 173 inches.

History of the Model:
Launched in 1948, the Austin A90 Atlantic was envisioned as a luxury export to the lucrative American market. The Atlantic was quite distinctive in its design, attempting to marry European sensibilities with what was believed to be the American taste for the ostentatious. With features like enclosed front wheels and a convertible option, it was unmistakably aiming to capture American attention. However, its production was relatively short-lived, being discontinued in 1952, with the Coupe seeing even shorter production times.

Development of the Model:
As part of Austin’s strategy to penetrate the post-war U.S. market, the A90 Atlantic was designed with several features tailored to American preferences. This included a bench front seat, column gear shift, and styling cues such as the rear fins. The convertible variant was introduced first, targeting the lucrative luxury convertible market in the U.S., with the Coupe version following shortly after. However, despite its unique look and features, the car struggled to find its footing in America, primarily due to fierce competition and perhaps a misjudgment of the American consumer’s tastes.

Journalist Reviews at the Time of Release:
The Austin A90 Atlantic garnered mixed reviews upon its release. While many journalists praised its unique styling and luxurious features for its time, like hydraulic window lifts, others felt that the car was a bit of an oddity – neither truly European nor American in its design philosophy. Its performance, while commendable for its era, was not groundbreaking, and this became a point of contention among some critics. The car’s reliability and build quality were generally well-regarded, but it faced stiff competition from native American brands that were more in tune with local tastes and preferences.

Types of Modifications Typically Done:
Given its relatively short production run and its position as a luxury car, the Austin A90 Atlantic wasn’t as commonly modified as some of its contemporaries. However, some modifications by enthusiasts included:

• Engine Upgrades: While the original 2.7-liter engine was competent, some owners opted to upgrade or swap the engine for a more powerful alternative to enhance performance.
• Suspension and Wheels: Some owners made modifications to the suspension to improve the ride quality or adjust the car’s stance. Wheel upgrades, both for performance and aesthetic reasons, were also common.
• Interior Refurbishments: Due to the car’s age and luxury positioning, restoring or upgrading the interiors became essential for those looking to maintain or enhance the vehicle’s comfort levels.
• Exterior Customizations: Some owners opted to modify or remove the distinctive rear fins, while others embraced them, accentuating their look. Custom paint jobs were another way owners made their Atlantics unique.

In summary, the 1953 Austin A90 Atlantic 2.7 Coupe was a bold venture by Austin into the American luxury car market. While it didn’t achieve the success the company had hoped for, it remains a unique and intriguing chapter in automotive history, representing a melding of European and American design philosophies.

Karkrub Score: 1953 Austin A90 Atlantic 2.7 Coupe

Design: 8/10
The Austin A90 Atlantic 2.7 Coupe showcased a bold design, amalgamating European craftsmanship with American flair, such as the rear fins and convertible option. While its distinctive appearance made it stand out, this very distinction may have been its Achilles’ heel in a market dominated by American giants. Nonetheless, the design was innovative for its time.

Power: 6.5/10
Equipped with a 2.7-liter engine producing approximately 88 horsepower, the Austin A90 Atlantic was reasonably powered for its time. However, in comparison to some American counterparts, it wasn’t the most potent car on the road. It delivered a decent performance but lacked the zest that some of the competition brought.

Fun: 7/10
The Coupe’s sleek design, combined with features tailored for the American market, did offer an enjoyable driving experience. Its unique European-American blend meant that driving the A90 Atlantic was a statement in itself. While it might not have been the sportiest drive, it undoubtedly had character.

Comfort: 7.5/10
The Austin A90 Atlantic prided itself on luxury features, such as hydraulic window lifts. The car’s interior was designed keeping in mind the comfort of its passengers, offering spacious seating and a reasonably smooth ride. However, by modern standards, there’s room for improvement.

Reliability: 7/10
Austin vehicles, in general, were known for their robust build and reliability. The A90 Atlantic was no exception. Though it faced challenges in breaking into the American market, the vehicle’s build quality was commendable. However, its limited production run means there’s limited data on long-term reliability.

Safety: 5.5/10
Safety norms in the 1950s were a far cry from today’s stringent standards. The Austin A90 Atlantic was built according to the practices of its time, lacking many of the advanced safety features that are standard today. For its era, it was on par with many vehicles, but by contemporary standards, its safety features are rudimentary.

Value: 8/10
The Austin A90 Atlantic 2.7 Coupe, with its blend of luxury and distinctive design, provided good value for its asking price during its production. Today, given its limited production run and unique place in automotive history, the car has become a collector’s item, enhancing its value further.

Average Score: 7.1/10

In summary, the 1953 Austin A90 Atlantic 2.7 Coupe stands as a testimony to Austin’s ambitious endeavor to bridge European craftsmanship with American automotive tastes. While it had its shortcomings, especially in terms of power and modern safety, its design, comfort, and current value as a collector’s item make it a notable vehicle from the 1950s era.