Austin 20/4 Tourer

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Austin introduced its big 20hp model in 1919, a car heavily influenced by the Hudson Super Six that Herbert Austin drove during the war.

Incorporating many of the Hudson features that had so impressed the Austin boss, the Twenty was powered by a 3.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a cast-iron block, a detachable cylinder head and an aluminium crankcase. Driving through a four-speed gearbox it developed 45bhp at 2,000rpm and could lope along at a genuine 70mph providing the bodywork wasn’t too formal.

Immensely durable and reliable, it was considered by many to be at least the equal of the contemporary Rolls-Royce 20hp and, with light enough coachwork, it could even give a Bentley 3-Litre a run for its money. Popular as a hire car, it was not unusual for a well-maintained Twenty to clock up over half-a-million miles in its working life. This made it a particular success in export markets where road conditions could be quite demanding.

This 1927 Austin 20 Tourer is the part of a deceased’s estate and comes with no history or relevant paperwork other than a V5C and some recent MOT certificates. The late owner bought the car in 1991 and it is recorded as having had five previous owners. The car appears to have been restored at some time and is still in very tidy condition. It is currently a non-runner but it is hoped that it will be running in time for the auction.

The car had its last MOT test in January 2012 with only a minor advisory note referring to slight play in a track rod end joint. The mileage shown at the time was 9,356, but then it was also that figure for the two previous MOTs.