the first "austin princess" a120 was launched in 1947 as the most expensive flagship model in the austin range at the same time as the a110 austin sheerline (designed during the war) which body was built on the same chassis at longbridge, the a110 produced 10 less horsepower being fitted with a single carburetter. both cars always had bodies that were massive and heavy in appearance. the princess (model code a120) featured a body by the coachbuilder vanden plas and was a large saloon or limousine. the car was offered with two distinct interiors. the "dm" or limousine type had a sliding glass partition between the driver and rear passengers plus picnic tables, and the "ds" was the saloon. the saloons were successful as a top-executive car, many princesses (and sheerlines, for that matter) were bought for civic ceremonial duties or by hire companies as limousines for hire. the standard saloon weighed almost two tons, was 16 ft 9 inches long and 6 feet 1¼ inches wide on a 10-foot 1¼-inch (the short) wheelbase.