According to the Vintage Austin Register this remarkable Austin 20HP is the oldest known production example.
Prior to the Great War, Austin had produced mainly expensive motor cars including a 3.6 Litre 20 HP car. By the end of the conflict Austin employed some 22,000 people manufacturing armaments and even aeroplanes. Copying the manufacturing philosophy of Henry Ford, Herbert Austin decided the future was in mass production with a single model and he chose the 3.6 Litre 20 HP to be his only post-war model. The Twenty was largely inspired by Herbert Austin's own American Hudson motorcar.
Given post-war austerity this policy almost broke the company and indeed it was only the miniaturising of this model to create the Austin Heavy 12/4 and the introduction of the legendary Austin Seven which saved the company. The Austin Twenties are hugely well built and were incredibly reliable. Few survive because they were so strong that in later years many of them were chopped to make breakdown trucks. It is a little-known model and right up there with the Prince Henry Vauxhall and 3-Litre Bentleys in terms of durability and actually larger than both.
This particular example was originally exported to Australia but on importation to the UK around 40 years ago it was rebuilt to a very high standard using English ash and 16 gauge aluminium. The builder decided he did not want the original style painted radiator shell and so it features a nickel plated one like later Austins. This car has been extensively toured in Europe and apparently has done around 15,000 mile since it was rebuilt. A wonderful feature of the car is the fitting of a Laycock overdrive unit as used on some vintage Bentleys. With its lusty four cylinder 3.6 Litre engine the car is very comfortable cruising at 50 miles per hour. It was recently been fitted with a set of brand-new Blockley beaded edge tyres.
During the past year this beautiful and imposing tourer has benefitted from a full repaint, top quality re-nickelling of the lights and radiator cowl, the fitting of a water pump and other detailed improvements.
An attractive, useable and rare example which represents great value.
