1924 Austin 12 Owned by Geoffrey and Mariae Doherty
When Geoffrey purchased this car in 1969, it was in ‘basically complete’ condition; it’s an excellent term. But it really means that the new owner will find most of the parts he will need to recondition all in one spot. The car spent a few years at Curtis Island before Geoffrey bought it. One of the items missing was the clock. It seems the original owner removed it in 1956 before it was sold to the Curtis Island owner. In 1988, the clock found its way back where it belonged when Geoffrey managed to negotiate its return to the original owner.
In November 1921, the Austin Twelve was introduced as a smaller version of the Austin Twenty, which had been introduced in 1919. At that time, the Austin company faced financial difficulties and had been in receivership for six months. The vehicle had a 12.8 horsepower engine with low-speed solid torque. Initially, only a tourer model was available, but by 1922, three body styles were offered, with annual sales peaking at 14,000 in 1927. The engine capacity increased from 1661 cc to 1861 cc in 1926. As the 1920s progressed, saloons became more popular.
Production of the Austin Twelve continued until 1939, and the last cars were made for the War Department in 1940. In 1933, the public began referring to it as the Heavy Twelve to distinguish it from newer 12hp models. The car received updates over the years, such as the upgrade from artillery-style wheels to wire wheels in 1933, the replacement of magneto ignition with coil ignition in 1935, and the addition of synchromesh between the top two gears in the gearbox in 1934. The factory body range was updated, and fabric-covered cars became less fashionable. After 1934, no open tourers were produced.
The Austin Twelve name reappeared in the Austin catalogue for several years. In 1947, the Austin A40 Dorset and Devon saloons were introduced.
The Austin Twelve is remembered for its durability and is well-supported by clubs and registers worldwide. The car had effective brakes, smooth steering, and comfortable suspension. Noteworthy features included easily changeable gears, a large horn button on the steering wheel, and a reliable steering gear. At a motor show in October 1924, various improvements were announced, including brakes applied to all four wheels and using cable for parking. The carburettor did not have a strangler, and handbrakes were used for parking. The steering gear utilized a worm and worm wheel, and the suspension included half-elliptical springs, with the rear springs being underslung.
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My first car was one of these I got it in 1954 I was 16 Dad said teach yourself to drive and if it brakes down fix it , so that was how I started to learn about cars
Do you have photos of the Austin?