Close window
Print details

Austin 20/6 Gordon Imperial Limousine

Austin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial Limousine
Austin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial Limousine
Austin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial LimousineAustin 20/6 Gordon Imperial Limousine
Lot number 19
Hammer value £15,800
Description Austin 20/6 Gordon Imperial Limousine
Registration EGJ 713
Year 1937
Colour Red/Black
Engine size 3,445 cc
Chassis No. DS6813
Engine No. 7380

Austin introduced its big 20hp model in 1919, a car heavily influenced by a 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 lusty 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.

In 1926 it was replaced by a six-cylinder version, the 20/6, now with a smoother 3.4-litre engine and braking to all four wheels. Spacious and imposing with real road presence, it came in a variety of saloon, landaulette and limousine body styles and was aimed mainly at the chauffeur-driven classes.

This particular 20/6 is an extremely rare Imperial Limousine with formal coachwork by Gordon & Co. of Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Believed to be one of only four such cars produced, it was first registered in London in August 1937 and was reputedly bought as a gift for Lady Florence Wallace by her very close friend the Earl of Dudley, who lived with his wife at Himley Hall in Staffordshire. (There is apparently more to this story than we can safely reveal in this catalogue, but suffice to say that it also involves the Countess of Dudley and her very close friend, the Prince of Wales – later Edward VII – who spent his last weekend at Himley Hall before his abdication.)

A note in the history file states that the car was discovered abandoned in the grounds of Himley Hall by a previous owner and subsequently restored to the lovely condition in which you see it today. The blue leather interior is particularly impressive with acres of legroom in the back and two fold-away occasional seats which make it a full seven-seater if desired. A wind-up glass division separates the VIPs in the back from the chauffeur in the front.

The car is said to drive very well indeed and the vendor states that the engine was recently fully rebuilt in Ireland by the previous owner (who kept the car for 15 years) but there are unfortunately no invoices for this although it has all the appearance of a rebuilt unit. It certainly fired up quickly and ran very smoothly as we manoeuvred it for these photographs.

Due to have a fresh MOT before the sale, this wonderful old limousine could make a good living as a wedding car and would also be a great conveyance for a group of friends bound for Goodwood or just a summer picnic. It is 16ft 4ins long from stem to stern, so just make sure it will fit in your garage!

Catalogue Amendment: The vendor did not have time to take this car to an MOT test station so it will be sold with no MOT - the last one expired Jan 31st 2012. Being a pre-1960 vehicle it does not require an MOT in any case..

Close window
Print details