Return to freeway64's garage

1 View
No Comments
No Likes
Published on 13 January 2021

It was launched at the end of 1957, priced at £1458, slightly above the Austin at £1447. An FE Holden Special was £1204, so there was never any attempt to break into its market. The BMC twins lay in an awkward section of the market; much more than a Holden, but substantially less than a Customline (£1992) Chevrolet (£2075), Chrysler Royal (£1896) and the Humber Super Snipe (£1798). Three 4–cylinder cars, Standard’s Vanguard at £1417, Renault Fregate Admiral at £1483 and the Humber Hawk at £1480 may have been considered, or for about £100 less, the six-cylinder Ford Zephyr was a worthy rival. The Austin A95 sold reasonably well, but the so-called M95 lagged in the show-rooms. Morris had never sold large cars successfully; their market was mainly Minors and Majors, and if you wanted a big car from their stable, there was always a Wolseley. A Marshal Traveller was offered, but sold in tiny numbers; the A95 Countryman wasn’t much more successful. One version of the A105 was made – the M105, probably for a director. Both the A95 and Marshal are highly thought of – they were well-suited to Australian roads and were fast with a top speed of around 90 mph. Wheels magazine summed it up in January 1958; ‘Is smooth, silent and powerful – very like an A95 to drive, but sufficiently different to make it necessary to try both before choosing. Needs development in several details, but is a safe, pacy, long striding car, ideal for distances and rough back roads, and with a huge touring range’. Sales records have been lost, but it’s estimated that probably no more than 1000 were produced.