Austin 12

Austin 12
Production period:	1921-1947
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Touring car , limousine , Pullman limousine , coupé
Successor:	Austin A40 Austin FX3

Austin 12 is the name of various mid-size models from the Austin Motor Company from 1921 to 1947. In addition to the 12 hp with four-cylinder engine, there were the smaller Austin 12/4 and Austin 12/6 models with four- and six-cylinder engines in the 1930s . The model series also had its own taxi model with a reinforced frame (Heavy 12, later Austin FX2).

Year by year

Austin 12 hp (1921-1940)

12 hp (1921-1940)
Austin Heavy 12 (1926)
Production period:	1921-1940
Body versions :	Touring car , limousine , Pullman limousine , coupé
Engines:	Petrol engines ; 1.7–1.9 liters (10 kW)
Length:	4115-4775 mm
Width:	1600-1753 mm
Height:
Wheelbase :	2845 mm
Empty weight :	1016-1067 kg

The first Austin 12 hp was introduced in 1921 as a scaled-down version of the Austin 20 .

Initially it was only available as a tourer, from 1922 three different bodies were offered: a 4-seater tourer, a 2/4-seater (both priced at GBP 550) and a coupe for GBP 675. The vehicle was in the 1920s. Very successful years ago, in 1927 14,000 units were sold. The closed bodies were primarily supplied by Chalmer & Hoyer in the 1920s .

The mechanics have changed little over the years. In 1927 the displacement of the four-cylinder engine with partially synchronized four-speed gearbox increased from 1,661 cm³ to 1,861 cm³. With an output of 13 hp, a top speed of around 80 km / h was achieved. The sedan model became increasingly popular in the late 1920s. The car was in the Austin catalog until 1935, as a taxi model even until 1939. The last examples were made for the War Department in 1940. In contrast to the other 12 hp models from Austin (see below), the taxi model was also known as the "Heavy 12". Most of the taxi bodies came from the London body manufacturer Jones Brothers .

Austin 12/4 and 12/6 (1930-1936)

12/4 (1932-1936) 12/6 (1930-1936)
Austin 12/4 Ascot (1935)
Production period:	1930-1936
Body versions :	Limousine , Pullman limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.5–1.55 liters (18–29 kW)
Length:	3912 mm
Width:	1524 mm
Height:
Wheelbase :	2692 mm
Empty weight :	1016 kg

From 1930 there was still an Austin 12/6 with a six-cylinder in-line engine (1,496 cm³, 24 bhp / 18 kW), which reached 99 km / h as a 4-door sedan. It was discontinued after 6 years of construction.

In addition, the Austin 12/4 was offered on the same chassis from 1932 . It had a four-cylinder in-line engine with 1,535 cm³ with 40 bhp (29 kW) and was also called "Light 12". He was also offered as an "open tourer". Its top speed was 94.5 km / h. Production stopped after four years. From 1934 - mostly at Jones Brothers in Willesden - the taxi model Low Loader was built, which was based on the chassis of the 12/4 and the later Austin 12 models and also received its engines. However, the body was designed according to the needs. As in earlier editions, various chassis were equipped with bodies from independent manufacturers; many of them were made by Gordon & Co. in Birmingham .

Austin 12 (1938-1939)

12 (1938-1939)
Austin 12 (1938)
Production period:	1938-1939
Body versions :	Limousine , Pullman limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 1.55 liters (29 kW)
Length:	4267 mm
Width:	1613 mm
Height:
Wheelbase :	2699 mm
Empty weight :	1156 kg

In 1938 the Light 12 reappeared as the Austin 12 with a slightly longer wheelbase and was manufactured in parallel to the taxi model until the outbreak of World War II.

Austin 12 (1939-1947)

12 (1939-1947)
Production period:	1939-1947
Body versions :	Limousine , Pullman limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 1.55 liters (29 kW)
Length:	4343 mm
Width:	1702 mm
Height:
Wheelbase :	2654 mm
Empty weight :	1245 kg

In 1939 there was an enlarged Austin 12 with the 1.55 liter R4 engine of its predecessor. The four-door mid-range sedan was built until 1947. The taxi model was now called Austin FX2.

In 1947 the Austin A40 Dorset replaced the 12 and the Austin FX3 taxi became the successor to the FX2 in 1948.

source

• David Culshaw & Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895–1975 . Veloce Publishing PLC, Dorchester 1997, ISBN 1-874105-93-6

Web links

Commons : Austin 12  - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Nick Walker: A – Z of British Coachbuilders 1919–1960 . Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 , p. 131.
2. ↑ Nick Walker: A – Z of British Coachbuilders 1919–1960 . Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 , p. 115.