Austin 18 Hertford

History

Austin may not be the most exciting name in British motoring history but it is certainly one of the most enduring and these sturdy, handsome machines still attract a devoted following among those who like their beer warm, their cricket slow and their Yorkshire puds full of gravy. Stolid, well-furnished and tough as old clogs, they have a no-nonsense charm that will never fall prey to the passing whims of fashion.

The bigger engined cars of the pre-war era epitomise this bulldog appeal - none more so than the lovely Austin 18 Hertford saloon you see here. Rarely offered at auction, these large, stately, six-cylinder machines can still hold their own in modern traffic while cossetting their passengers in considerable luxury.
   
As its original buff  log book confirms, this car was first registered in Eastbourne in October 1936. Fully restored to a high standard over a nine-year period by its motor mechanic owner, the car was completed some three years ago and has only seen light use as a wedding car since. Work carried out during the body-off rebuild included a full re-trim in grey leather; a new headlining; new clutch; new radiator; new brakes; re-tempered springs; re-chromed brightwork and stove enamelled wheels.

Looking resplendent in its blue and black livery, said to drive very well and sold with a fresh MOT and tax, it is ready to put straight to work and has many years of useful life ahead of it.