Austin 10/4 Open Road Tourer

History

Launched in 1932, the 10 was Austin's best selling car in the 1930s and continued in production until 1947. It fitted in between the little Austin 7 which had been introduced in 1922 and the Austin 12hp which had been updated in 1931.

Powered by a 1,125cc four-cylinder side-valve engine producing 21bhp, it had a top speed of 55mph and could do 34mpg. Drive was through a four-speed gearbox and open driveshaft to a live rear axle. Suspension was by half-elliptic springs all round and the brakes were cable operated. Initially 6-volt, the electrical system was upgraded to 12-volt in 1934.

In the same year synchromesh was added to the top three gears, the chassis was strengthened and the radiator received a painted, rather than plated, surround. A two seat Open Road Tourer, a Colwyn cabriolet and a van were added to the range in 1933, although these were only produced in small numbers and survivors are now rare and sought after.

First registered  in October 1935, this charming little Tourer has been totally restored over the last ten years and comes with a bulging history file attesting to the extent of the work carried out. The car is complete with a new duck hood but, at the time of cataloguing, the sidescreens could not be found. Said to run and drive well, the car is MOTd until January 2008.