Editing Austin Princess (section)

==Austin Princess IV and Princess IV==
[[File:VandenPlas Princess (17606863128).jpg|thumb|Princess IV rear view|left]]{{Infobox automobile
| name = Austin Princess IV (1956–57) <br /> Princess IV (1957–1959)
| image =Princess_IV_3995cc,_April_1958.jpg
| caption = 1958 Princess IV
| manufacturer = [[Vanden Plas]] ([[British Motor Corporation|BMC]])
| aka = 
| production = {{Plainlist|
*1956–1959
* DS7 Saloon: 175
*DM7 Limousine: 24
}}
| model_years = 
| assembly = 
| predecessor = Princess 125 and 135
| successor = none
| class = [[Full-size]] [[luxury car]]<ref name=TT54375/>
| body_style = 4-door saloon<ref name=TT54375/>
| layout = 
| platform = 
| engine = [[Austin D-Series engine|Austin D-Series 3991cc 6-cylinder]]
| transmission = 4-speed automatic<ref name=TT54375/>
| wheelbase = {{convert|121+3/4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT54375/>
| length = {{convert|201|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT54375/>
| width = {{convert|73+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT54375/>
| height =  {{convert|65+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT54375/>
| weight = 39¾ Cwt {{convert|4452|-|4452|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT54375/>
| related = 
| designer = 
| sp = uk
}}
The Austin Princess IV was introduced in 1956.<ref name=na>{{cite news | title=New Austin Model | newspaper=The Times | date=3 October 1956 | page=5, col F | issue=53652}}</ref>  Offered in Saloon (DS7) and Touring Limousine (DM7) models,<ref>{{cite news | title=Advertisement for the Austin Princess IV | newspaper=The Illustrated London News | date=9 March 1957 | page=2}}</ref> this replacement for the former Sheerline and A135 only stayed in the catalogue until 1959; 199 were built.<ref>Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945–1970, page 26</ref>

The engine was the [[Austin D-Series engine|Austin D-Series straight six]] with redesigned cylinder head and was fitted with twin [[SU carburettor|SU]] HD6 carburettors. The power output was 150 bhp. A [[Hydramatic|GM Hydramatic]] automatic gearbox and [[Girling Brakes|Girling]] power-assisted steering were fitted as standard.

The luxurious interior now featured redesigned dashboard with instruments directly in front of the driver rather than in the centre.

The last A135 Mark 3 had been priced at five times the price of an [[Austin A30]]. The new IV had to be priced at 6.5 times the price of an Austin A30, at which price there was almost no demand. The name was shortened in August 1957 when the car lost its "Austin" designation, now being branded simply as the Princess IV<ref>{{cite news | title=London Motor Show | newspaper=The Times | date=15 October 1957 | page=17 | issue=53972}}</ref> so it might be sold by either [[Morris Motors|Morris]] or Austin dealers. ''The Times'' tested the Princess IV and reported on it at some length in early February 1959.<ref name=TT54375>{{cite news | title=Power And Control Of The Princess | newspaper=The Times | date=3 February 1959 | page=5 | issue=54375}}</ref>

The Princess IV was discontinued in 1959 and replaced in the catalogue by a much smaller model, an upgraded [[Austin Westminster#A99|Austin Westminster]] ([[Pininfarina]]-designed Vanden Plas Princess see below), which retailed at little more than 40 per cent of the Mark IV's price.

An Austin Princess IV was road tested by ''[[Autocar (magazine)|The Autocar]]'' magazine on 3 October 1958, as No.1703 in the series. The engine was rated at 150&nbsp;bhp (gross) and it returned a maximum speed of 98.7&nbsp;mph, under the test conditions prevailing.
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